SC

South Carolina Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank: #37 of 51 Low Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,123
Avg Education Hours
$99
Avg Initial Fee
57.0
Burden Score

Agriculture

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Arborist / Tree Surgeon — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Water Well Driller — Yes $50 — 3 yrs

Animal Care

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Animal Breeder — No $50 — 2 yrs
Farrier / Horseshoer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Veterinarian 4,432 Yes $186 $165 2 yrs
Veterinary Technician 1,716 Yes $93 $82 2 yrs

Construction

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Electrician 4,865 Yes $78 $63 1 yr
Elevator Installer 4,865 Yes $115 $104 2 yrs
Fire Sprinkler Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
General Contractor — Yes $167 $145 2 yrs
Glazier — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
HVAC Technician 2,865 Yes $63 $52 2 yrs
Land Surveyor — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Locksmith — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Mobile Home Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Painter (Contractor) — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Pest Control Applicator 9 Yes $63 $57 3 yrs
Plumber 4,865 Yes $88 $78 1 yr
Roofer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Security Alarm Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Septic System Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs

Cosmetology

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Barber 1,108 Yes $62 $37 2 yrs
Body Piercer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Cosmetologist 1,130 Yes $67 $39 2 yrs
Electrologist 332 Yes $63 $52 2 yrs
Esthetician 420 Yes $55 $36 2 yrs
Funeral Director / Embalmer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Hair Braider 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Massage Therapist 475 Yes $75 $45 2 yrs
Nail Technician 269 Yes $51 $31 2 yrs
Tattoo Artist 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs

Design

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Interior Designer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Landscape Architect — Yes $145 $124 2 yrs

Education

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Childcare Center Director 26 No $63 $52 2 yrs
Elementary School Teacher — Yes $81 $60 5 yrs
School Counselor — Yes $92 $71 5 yrs
School Librarian / Media Specialist 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs
Secondary School Teacher — Yes $81 $60 5 yrs
Substitute Teacher 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs

Engineering

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Professional Engineer (PE) — Yes $167 $145 2 yrs
Professional Geologist — Yes $200 — 2 yrs

Finance

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — Yes $147 $126 2 yrs
Debt Collector — Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Insurance Agent 33 Yes $70 $59 2 yrs
Mortgage Loan Originator 20 Yes $186 $132 1 yr
Tax Preparer — Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Food & Hospitality

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Bartender / Alcohol Server — No $50 — 2 yrs
Food Handler / Food Safety Certification — No $50 — 2 yrs

Healthcare

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Athletic Trainer 2,716 Yes $93 $82 2 yrs
Certified Nurse-Midwife 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Hygienist 2,716 Yes $134 $82 2 yrs
Dietetic Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 137 Yes $57 $52 2 yrs
Hearing Aid Specialist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Home Health Aide 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 1,108 Yes $102 $72 2 yrs
Medical Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Medical Lab Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Occupational Therapist 3,216 Yes $124 $113 2 yrs
Optician (Dispensing) 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Optometrist 4,216 Yes $167 $145 2 yrs
Paramedic 1,373 Yes $93 $82 2 yrs
Pharmacist 4,324 Yes $154 $143 2 yrs
Pharmacy Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Phlebotomist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Physical Therapist 3,216 Yes $134 $124 2 yrs
Physician Assistant 3,324 Yes $165 $154 2 yrs
Radiologic Technologist 1,951 Yes $93 $82 2 yrs
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist — Yes $104 $93 2 yrs
Registered Nurse 2,216 Yes $113 $77 2 yrs
Respiratory Therapist 1,716 Yes $93 $82 2 yrs
Speech-Language Pathologist 3,216 Yes $134 $113 2 yrs
Surgical Technologist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Legal & Security

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Armed Security Guard 24 No $74 $48 2 yrs
Court Reporter / Stenographer — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Notary Public — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Private Investigator 1,329 Yes $126 $115 2 yrs
Process Server — Yes $75 — 4 yrs

Mental Health

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 3,216 Yes $113 $102 2 yrs
Licensed Professional Counselor 2,716 Yes $101 $90 2 yrs
Marriage and Family Therapist 2,716 Yes $124 $113 2 yrs
Psychologist 5,432 Yes $186 $165 2 yrs

Miscellaneous

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Amusement Ride Operator — No $50 — 2 yrs
Athletic Agent — No $50 — 2 yrs
Auctioneer 106 Yes $84 $63 2 yrs
Casino/Gaming Dealer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Sign Language Interpreter — No $50 — 2 yrs

Real Estate

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Home Inspector 75 Yes $126 $104 2 yrs
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson 70 Yes $88 $76 2 yrs
Real Estate Broker 105 Yes $126 $109 2 yrs

Transportation

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Chauffeur / Limousine Driver 9 Yes $48 $37 4 yrs
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) 195 Yes $59 $37 4 yrs
School Bus Driver 57 Yes $48 $37 4 yrs
Taxi/Ride-Share Driver — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Tow Truck Operator — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with South Carolina licensing authorities.

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

Related

Browse all → | Rankings →
Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial