The bill S. 88 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 59-25-60, which allows individuals applying for an educator certificate to receive credit for prior work experience that is in or related to the content field of the certificate. Specifically, the State Department of Education will award one year of experience credit for every two years of relevant full-time work experience, which will be used solely for advancement on the teacher salary schedule. Additionally, existing certificate holders who entered the teaching profession before July 1, 2025, can also submit a verification form to receive credit for their prior work experience, leading to potential pay adjustments for the current school year, though they will not receive retroactive pay.

The bill clarifies that this new provision does not change any existing requirements for obtaining an educator certificate, and individuals must still meet all other criteria. Furthermore, the awarded years of experience are strictly for salary advancement and do not count as service credit for state retirement or health plans administered by PEBA. The State Department of Education is required to provide the work experience verification form within ninety days of the bill's approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 59-25-60
Latest Version: 59-25-60