Respiratory Therapist / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the South Carolina data shows for Respiratory Therapists

To practice as a respiratory therapist in South Carolina, the state licensing board requires 1,716 documented education or training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice). 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 "Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $93, and renewal costs $82 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For respiratory therapists, the reciprocity picture is: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
57/100
Respiratory Therapist · 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
1,716 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C
$93
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$41/yr
$82 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,716 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$93
Renewal Fee
$82
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Respiratory Therapist 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 Respiratory Therapist in South Carolina? ▼
In South Carolina, the license path calls for 1716 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $93 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in South Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed respiratory therapist in South Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements including 1716 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to South Carolina from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for respiratory therapists: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. 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 Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
South Carolina does require a background check before issuing a respiratory therapist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in South Carolina? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in South Carolina must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $82.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

Respiratory Therapist in South Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a respiratory therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how South Carolina's respiratory therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Respiratory Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state respiratory therapist 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.