Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides mental health counseling. Requires MSW degree and clinical hours.

What the South Carolina data shows for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)s

To practice as a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in South Carolina, the state licensing board requires 3,216 documented education or training hours, a passing score on ASWB Clinical Exam, and 2 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under South Carolina's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Master of Social Work (MSW)".

Budget $113 to get started, plus $102 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s, the reciprocity picture is: Social Work Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
33/100
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · South Carolina

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,216 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$113
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$51/yr
$102 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Master of Social Work (MSW)
3,216 hours
Exam Requirement
ASWB Clinical Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$113
Renewal Fee
$102
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) All South Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in South Carolina? ▼
In South Carolina, the license path calls for 3216 education/training hours, a passing score on ASWB Clinical Exam, and a $113 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in South Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in South Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements including 3216 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license to South Carolina from another state? ▼
For licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Social Work Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the South Carolina licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensing? ▼
South Carolina does require a background check before issuing a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in South Carolina? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in South Carolina, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $102.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) license

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in South Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the South Carolina licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.