Psychologist / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina Psychologist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Diagnoses and treats mental and behavioral disorders. Requires doctoral degree.

What the South Carolina data shows for Psychologists

South Carolina's path to psychologist licensure runs through 5,432 hours of approved instruction, 2 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. South Carolina folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)".

Budget $186 to get started, plus $165 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 40-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: PSYPACT: 42 participating jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
18/100
Psychologist · 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
5,432 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$186
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$83/yr
$165 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
20.0 hrs/yr
40 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)
5,432 hours
Exam Requirement
EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)
Required
Initial License Fee
$186
Renewal Fee
$165
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
40 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Psychologist 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 Psychologist in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina requires 5432 education/training hours, passing an exam (EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)), and an initial fee of $186. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Psychologist in South Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed psychologist in South Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements including 5432 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 Psychologist license to South Carolina from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for psychologists: PSYPACT: 42 participating jurisdictions. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the South Carolina licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Psychologist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the psychologist 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 Psychologist in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina ties continued psychologist licensure to 40 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $165 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this psychologist license

Psychologist in South Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a psychologist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how South Carolina's psychologist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Psychologist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state psychologist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how South Carolina's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. South Carolina overview

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.