South Carolina · Educator Certification
South Carolina teacher certification lookup on the SCDE public lookup.
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) publishes an Educator Certification Status public lookup. This page explains what it returns and links to it.
Short answer: open the SCDE public lookup, enter the educator’s first and last name, and click the name in the results to see certificate information. This page does not look anyone up.
What the public lookup covers
SCDE says the lookup is provided to verify an educator’s certification status. It shows the educator’s name, certificate status and type, and the certification fields and endorsements issued. If the educator works in a public school, it also shows the school district. SCDE says it provides the feature in compliance with the federal Parents’ Right to Know requirement.
To search, enter the educator’s first name and last name (both are marked required). Clicking a name in the results opens certificate details, which list issue dates, certification fields, permits, National Board certifications and endorsements with their dates.
Open the official search
Who to contact
SCDE’s Office of Educator Services is at 849 Learning Lane, West Columbia, SC 29172, phone 803-896-0325, email certification@ed.sc.gov (as listed on the lookup page). Use it if a result looks wrong or an educator cannot be found.
Limits
The lookup is name-based, so common names return several people and a changed name may not match. Confirm identity using the district or school shown in the result rather than guessing between similar names.
Format
This page publishes no certificate-number format or check-digit rule, because none is documented on the pages read and the lookup searches by name.
Official sources used
- ed.sc.gov/educators/public-lookup/ (retrieved November 2026)
- ed.sc.gov/educators/certification/ (retrieved November 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a South Carolina teacher certificate?
Open the SCDE Educator Certification Status public lookup, enter first and last name, and click the educator’s name in the results.
What does the lookup show?
Name, certificate status and type, certification fields and endorsements, and the school district if the educator works in a public school.
Can I search by certificate number?
The lookup page reviewed asks for a first and last name. It does not offer a certificate-number search.
Who do I contact about a wrong result?
SCDE’s Office of Educator Services, 803-896-0325 or certification@ed.sc.gov.
Does this page verify a certificate?
No. It describes the official lookup and links to it.
Guide only — not a verification tool
This page describes official registers and links to them. It does not check anyone’s licence status, does not copy or proxy any register, and nothing you might type here is transmitted anywhere. Registers change and licensing rules differ by state and city; use the official source linked above and contact the regulator to confirm anything that matters. This is general information, not legal advice.