(A) A retired educator certificate is a lifetime certificate established in regulation by the State Board of Education that allows a retired South Carolina educator to be eligible to maintain certification for the purpose of returning to employment with a school district on a temporary or full-time basis. A person is initially eligible for a South Carolina retired educator certificate if he: (1) held a valid South Carolina renewable, professional educator certificate at the time of retirement; (2) is either a: (i) retired member of the South Carolina Retirement System; or (ii) current or former participant in the State Optional Retirement Program who would have met the eligibility requirements for retirement under the South Carolina Retirement System had he participated in that system rather than the State Optional Retirement Program; (3) does not hold another valid South Carolina educator certificate and has never held a valid South Carolina educator certificate that has been suspended, revoked, or voluntarily surrendered; and (4) meets all other qualifications to serve as a certified educator as specified in state statute, regulation, and guidelines. (B) An individual meeting the eligibility requirements and desirous of a retired educator certificate must submit the request in the manner specified in regulation and guidelines. (1) A retired educator certificate approved and issued is valid for five years from the date of each issuance. (2) Once issued, a retired educator in good standing must provide written notification of their desire to continue an active certificate to the department at the end of every five-year period. (3) Department guidelines shall include the timeline, forms, and a process for submitting a request to maintain an active retired educator certificate. (C) Any new certificate is invalidated upon issuance of any other South Carolina educator certificate. (D) An educator who works under the retired certificate must work under the agreement and rate of pay established for this purpose by the hiring district. Section 59-25-150 shall apply to any retired educator certificate. (E) A retired educator certificate is not subject to requirements for professional certificate renewal established by regulations of the State Board of Education. (F) Nothing in this section exempts an educator from taking part in professional development that is required by a local school district. (G) The State Board of Education shall develop regulations for, and the department shall establish guidelines and procedures for, the implementation of this section. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 12, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'Educator Assistance Act.'" Effect of Amendment 2025 Act No. 12, SECTION 9, rewrote the section.
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