PACE:
The Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) was organized to allow degreed individuals, who otherwise do not meet certification qualifications, to gain employment in the public schools in a PACE accepted subject area for a teaching position.

PACE demands a three-year responsibility to the content area and grade level for which you are admitted to teach. Applicants may be assessed for K-12, middle level, or secondary certification.
 

Eligibility:

In order to qualify for the PACE program, the following qualifications must be met:

1. Did not student teach in a traditional teacher preparation program

2. Conferred Bachelor’s degree that matches eligible certification area(s)

3. Passing score on the appropriate ETS Praxis II Subject Assessment

4. Current all-clear FBI/SLED background check

People who have engaged in, but not finished, other alternative certification programs in South Carolina may not be qualified for participation in PACE. If you have engaged in another alternative program acknowledged in South Carolina, please reach the Office of Alternative Certification prior to starting the application process for PACE.

CATE:

Career and Technology Education (CATE) allows people with work practice in career and technology areas who do not meet the usual certification qualifications to be eligible for employment as a 9-12 grade level instructor in a South Carolina public school district. Applicants will have a maximum of five certification years to finish all work-based certification program qualifications and earn a Professional work-based teaching license.

To become eligible, all candidates must:

1. Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application

2. Earned the minimum of a high school diploma or state high school 
equivalency certificate/General Educational Development (GED)

3. Submit a complete work-based certification application

4. Meet the minimum education and work experience requirement for the requested area of certification

5. Submit fingerprints and receive and pass a criminal record check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Federal Bureau of Investigation.