SC · ABC Quality
South Carolina — CDA & ECE Workforce Credentials
South Carolina accepts CDA in licensed centers and offers SC Endeavors three-level credentials; CERDEP and First Steps 4K require bachelor's + state teacher cert.
Data current as of April 2026.
CDA acceptance & requirements
- Lead teacher requirements: South Carolina DSS Division of Early Care and Education licensing accepts CDA among lead teacher qualifications in licensed centers. The state's free 15-hour Health and Safety Pre-Service Certificate is required for ABC Quality / SC Voucher administrators and teachers. Annual minimum: 15 clock hours of training across at least 3 topic areas.
- Assistant teacher requirements: Minimum age 18, HS diploma/GED, plus orientation training (15 hours) and 15 hours/year continuing PD.
- Director requirements: Education + administrative coursework + experience; SC Endeavors Director Credential available.
- QRIS: ABC Quality — South Carolina's QRIS (A, B, B+, C). Workforce credentials are scoring criteria.
- T.E.A.C.H. & apprenticeship: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® South Carolina is administered by SC Endeavors. ECE Registered Apprenticeships through SC Technical College System.
State-specific ECE workforce credentials
- SC Endeavors Credentials — Issuing agency: SC Endeavors (state professional development organization). Three levels of credentials promoting career development. Coursework available at SC technical/community colleges.
- SC Endeavors Director Credential — for ECE administrators.
- SC Department of Education — Early Childhood Education (PreK-3) Teacher Certification — for public-school 4K and primary teachers; bachelor's + state-approved EPP. CDA does not satisfy this.
Notable state context
South Carolina operates a state-funded 4K (CERDEP) program through public schools and contracted private providers. CDA functions in the licensed child care segment; CERDEP and First Steps 4K classrooms have higher cert requirements.