ParaPathways in South Carolina: Requirements, Scores, and How to Register
South Carolina requires the ParaPathways for paraprofessionals who qualify by exam. You need 332 on Reading and Writing and 334 on Mathematics. South Carolina was the first state in the country to adopt the test, launching it on September 1, 2025.
This page covers the South Carolina rules only. For the test format itself, start with what the ParaPathways is.
Does South Carolina require the ParaPathways?
Yes. The South Carolina State Board of Education approved the ParaPathways on August 5, 2025, and the test went live statewide on September 1, 2025. That made South Carolina the first state to adopt ETS’s replacement for the ParaPro. Other states followed, but South Carolina districts have been hiring on ParaPathways scores longer than anyone else.
The old ParaPro is still accepted during a transition window. South Carolina honors ParaPro scores of 456 or higher through August 31, 2026. After that date, only the ParaPathways counts for new qualification. If you already passed the ParaPro, your qualification does not expire, but new test takers should plan on the ParaPathways.
Next step: confirm which test your district lists in its current job postings before you register.
Who has to take it?
Federal Title I rules give South Carolina paraprofessionals 3 ways to qualify. The South Carolina Department of Education lists these on its Title I paraprofessionals page at ed.sc.gov. Instructional paraprofessionals working in Title I programs must meet 1 of the following:
1. Pass a state-approved assessment, which is the ParaPathways in South Carolina
2. Complete 2 years of college credit, commonly counted as 48 semester hours
3. Hold an associate degree or higher
The exam is the standard route for candidates who do not have 48 college credits or a degree. It is faster and cheaper than going back to school. Many South Carolina districts also apply the same standard to non-Title-I aide positions, so check your posting.
Next step: pull your transcripts and count your credits before deciding whether you need the test.
What scores do you need in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires 332 on Reading and Writing (test code 5758) and 334 on Mathematics (test code 5759). Both numbers come from the ETS state requirements page. You must pass both modules to qualify. There is no combined or averaged score.
If you pass 1 module and miss the other, you only retake the module you missed. See the score report guide for how that works and what your report shows. Other states set different cut scores, so do not compare your result to out-of-state numbers. The passing score page lists every state’s requirement.
Next step: write down 332 and 334 as your targets and measure every practice test against them.
How to register in South Carolina
Registration runs through your ETS account and costs $75 for both modules, or $37.50 per module. You can test at a Prometric-style test center or at home with remote proctoring. Some South Carolina districts administer or arrange testing themselves, so ask your district HR office before paying out of pocket.
There is 1 more reason to ask HR first. The South Carolina Department of Education has told districts they may convert previously purchased ParaPro session keys to ParaPathways keys. If your district holds unused keys, you may test at no cost to you. The full walkthrough of accounts, scheduling, and ID rules is on the registration page.
Next step: email your district HR contact today and ask whether they cover or schedule the test.
Where the jobs are
Greenville County Schools, Charleston County School District, and Horry County Schools are the state’s largest school systems and its biggest employers of paraprofessionals. Each district posts aide openings year-round, with the heaviest hiring in late spring and summer. Search their job boards for both "instructional aide" and "paraprofessional," since districts use the titles interchangeably.
Next step: set alerts on the 3 district job boards so new postings reach you first.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ParaPro still accepted in South Carolina?
Yes, through August 31, 2026, with a passing score of 456. After that date, South Carolina accepts only the ParaPathways for new qualification. Scores earned before the deadline remain valid.
What score do I need in South Carolina?
You need 332 on Reading and Writing and 334 on Mathematics. Both modules must be passed. These are the official cut scores listed by ETS for South Carolina.
Do I need the test if I have an associate degree?
No. An associate degree or higher satisfies the Title I requirement on its own. The same is true if you have 48 semester hours of college credit. The exam exists for candidates without either.
Where do I take the ParaPathways in South Carolina?
You can test at an authorized test center or at home through your ETS account. Some districts arrange testing sessions directly for their applicants. Ask your district HR office which option they use before you book.
See where you stand against South Carolina’s 332 and 334 cut scores.
Take the free diagnosticParaPathways Practice provides free practice tests for the ETS ParaPathways Assessment (5757). This site is not affiliated with ETS.