TEACHER CERTIFICATION
Frequently Asked Questions For Initial Certification

      Question: How do I apply for teacher certification?

Answer: Please come by the office of Student Affairs, Wardlaw 113 to pick up a certification packet.

      Question: What are the deadlines for completing the teaching certification packet?

Answer: If you are student teaching (Clinical Experience/Student teaching semester/Internship II/Internship) in the Fall, the application deadline is December 1^st of the previous year. Please note: If you are an MAT Secondary, Foreign Language, Theatre or Health Education student the application deadline is September 15^th of the year prior to your internship.   If you are student teaching in Spring, the deadline is April 15^th of the previous year. If you are student teaching in the Summer, the application deadline is December 1^st of the previous year. Please note that failure to turn your application in by these established deadlines, will result in your inability to student teach.

      Question:  What Fees do I have to pay for Certification?

Answer: You will include a nonrefundable check or money order for $75 payable to the SC State Department of Education when you turn in your certification application. This covers the cost of running your FBI background check. Please note that your check will not be deposited until after the deadline has passed, which may be several months depending on when you submit your application packet. Please pay by money order if you prefer. An additional nonrefundable charge of $98 will be charged to your University Tuition Bill the semester you register for your teaching internship. 

      Question: What exams do I have to pass in order to receive certification? Answer: You must pass the required portions of the Praxis II specialty area examination in order to receive SC certification. Please visit www.ets.org for specific Praxis II Area Examination information including fees, dates and registration materials or pick up a Praxis Bulletin from the Office of Student Affairs in Wardlaw 113.

      Question: Do I need to submit any form of identification with my packet?

Answer: You need to submit a copy of your social security card with your packet.

      Question: Where should I go to complete my fingerprint card?

Answer: The USC police station (803-777-4215) or the Dept. of Corrections on Broad River Rd. will complete the fingerprint card for free. The USC police station is currently processing fingerprint cards on Mondays from 8:30-10:30 am only. You may go to the City of Columbia Police Station or any local police dept. to have your fingerprints taken. However, you may pay $5-$15 to have your prints taken at these offices. A previous criminal record may affect your ability to student teach. If you have specific questions regarding criminal records, please call the SC Dept of Education at 803-734-8466 or Jammie Turner at 803-777-3022.  Please note that if you graduate more than 18 months after the fingerprint and background check process you may have to be fingerprinted again and assessed an additional fee by the SC Department of Education.

      Question: How long does it take to process the background check?

Answer: Please allow approximately 12 weeks for processing your background check.

      Question: How long will it take the SC State Dept of Education to process my certification once I complete my degree program?

Answer: Once your degree posts to your transcript and the College of Education has completed your recommendation form, it takes approximately 10-12 weeks to receive your teaching certificate in the mail. You can check the status of your certification application by logging onto the Dept of Education website at: https://www.scteachers.org/apps/mycert/logon.cfm  or call the State Dept at 803-734-8466.

      Question: How will my USC transcript be sent to the SC State Dept of Education?

Answer: You will fill out a USC transcript request form, which is included in your application packet. By signing this form, you are giving your consent for the Office of the Registrar to send a transcript to the SC Dept of Education, once your degree posts to your transcript.  The cost of your transcript has been included in your certification fees so you are not required to pay any additional money to have your transcript sent. Please turn in the transcript request form along with the other materials in your application packet. DO NOT MAIL THE TRANSCRIPT FORM TO THE REGISTRAR OR TO THE DIVISION OF TEACHER QUALITY.  If you received a degree from another institution please contact the Office of the Registrar at that institution and have your transcript sent directly to the SC State Dept of Education (The address of the SC Dept of Education is listed on the cover sheet of the application packet). 

      Question: Will I be notified if there is something wrong with my application or if there is a problem with my background check?

Answer: If you are missing anything from your certification packet, the certification coordinator from the College of Education will contact you. If there is a problem with your background check the SC State Dept of Education will notify you.

      Question: Who do I contact if I have questions regarding the certification process?

Answer: Please contact Catherine Stewart at 803-777-6732.