South Carolina Department of Education, Office of Educator Services: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language

Worth knowing about South Carolina SCDE

South Carolina SCDE requirements in detail

Translation, then evaluation, then the SCDE

The SCDE says plainly that it does not evaluate degrees or coursework from outside the US and that you must not send those transcripts or diplomas to the Office of Educator Services (International initial certification applicants).

The evaluation comes from an AICE or NACES member (NACES, AICE), and those agencies build their reports from translations you supply.

WES, for example, does not translate and asks for an exact, word-for-word translation by a professional translator (WES).

So the order is translation, then evaluation, then a copy to the SCDE.

Translate every page the agency will evaluate, including the transcript pages with hours and grades, since the SCDE wants the semester-hour equivalent of each course.

We keep grades and hours exactly as recorded; the conversion is the agency's.

The evaluation decides the field and the exams

After you submit the AICE or NACES evaluation, contact the Office of Educator Services for advice on exams: the SCDE says certification field eligibility and examination requirements are determined by the evaluation report (International initial certification applicants).

International educators also need an eligible immigration status, such as an H-1B visa or a Permanent Resident Card; those holding a standard credential from another US state may skip South Carolina's tests with passing scores from that state (International initial certification applicants).

Keep the original evaluation for yourself. Documents sent to the SCDE are kept electronically and cannot be returned (International initial certification applicants).

Documents applicants usually translate

• University diplomas and degree certificates
• Transcripts and mark sheets for every degree
• Teacher preparation program records
• Teaching certificate from the other country

What an eVerbary translation includes

• A complete English translation of every page, stamps, seals and handwritten notes included, laid out like the original so each line can be matched.
• Grades, hours and credits exactly as recorded, with the grading scale the document prints. We never convert marks to a US GPA or equivalency.
• A signed certificate of translation accuracy on letterhead, with our contact details, delivered as a PDF you can upload or print.
• $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, certification included; 24 hours for one to three pages as standard. Regular clients who need it can get delivery in as little as 30 minutes, on request.
• Notarization added at checkout ($34.90 per order) when the office asks for a notarized translation.

Submitting the translation to South Carolina SCDE

• The translation goes to the AICE or NACES agency with your documents, under that agency's instructions (WES, for example, takes uploads in your WES account) (WES: translation requirements).

• You then send a legible copy of the agency's evaluation to the SCDE by email or mail, after creating your application in My SC Educator Portal; questions go to international@ed.sc.gov (International initial certification applicants).

How to order

1. Scan or photograph every page of the document, front and back, including any stamps on the reverse.
2. Upload it, choose the language and "certified", and see the price before paying.
3. Receive the PDF, usually within 24 hours for one to three pages, and submit it with the copy of the original wherever the office asks for it.

Frequently asked questions