Certified Public Accountant (CPA) / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides accounting and auditing services. Requires Uniform CPA Exam.

What the South Carolina data shows for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s

South Carolina's path to certified public accountant (cpa) licensure runs through board-approved instruction, 1 year of supervised work experience, and a passing score on Uniform CPA Examination, 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 "Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours".

Budget $147 to get started, plus $126 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 80-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, certified public accountant (cpa)s should know: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
27/100
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · 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 N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$147
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$63/yr
$126 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
40.0 hrs/yr
80 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
1 year
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree with 150 credit hours
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Uniform CPA Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$147
Renewal Fee
$126
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
80 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
1 year

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) 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 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina requires, passing an exam (Uniform CPA Examination), and an initial fee of $147. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in South Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed certified public accountant (cpa) in South Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements and 1 year of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license to South Carolina from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for certified public accountant (cpa)s: CPA mobility: practice rights in all 55 US 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 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing? ▼
Yes, South Carolina requires a criminal background check as part of the certified public accountant (cpa) licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in South Carolina? ▼
Licensed certified public accountant (cpa)s in South Carolina must complete 80 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $126.

Related Guides

What to do with this certified public accountant (cpa) license

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in South Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a certified public accountant (cpa)-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.