Licensed Professional Counselor / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor 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 and therapy services.

What the South Carolina data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

Becoming a licensed licensed professional counselor in South Carolina means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,716 training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and 2 years of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. South Carolina regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Upfront cost is $101, with renewal running $90 on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, licensed professional counselors should know: Counseling Compact: 40+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
37/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · 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
2,716 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$101
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$45/yr
$90 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
Masters Degree in Counseling
2,716 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$101
Renewal Fee
$90
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 Professional Counselor 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 Professional Counselor in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina's requirements cover 2716 hours of education or training, the NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE exam, and an initial fee of $101. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina? ▼
Certification as a licensed professional counselor in South Carolina means clearing the state's checklist: 2716 hours of education plus 2 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The South Carolina licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to South Carolina from another state? ▼
Licensed Professional Counselor licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Counseling Compact: 40+ states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The South Carolina licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the licensed professional counselor licensing process in South Carolina. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina? ▼
Licensed licensed professional counselors in South Carolina must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $90.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed professional counselor-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.