South Carolina Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

When it comes to maintaining licensure as a professional counselor or therapist in South Carolina, staying up-to-date on renewal dates and continuing education (CE) requirements is essential. These requirements ensure that licensed counselors and therapists remain informed about the latest best practices in mental health care, allowing them to offer the highest quality support to their clients. South Carolina, like most states, sets specific guidelines for both the renewal process and the ongoing education needed to keep a license in good standing.

The renewal process for counselors and therapists in South Carolina is governed by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists.

The board requires practitioners to renew their licenses every two years, with specific deadlines based on the license type. Along with the renewal application, professionals must demonstrate that they have completed a set number of approved continuing education hours, ensuring they stay current on key topics such as ethics, clinical practices, and emerging treatment modalities.

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1) Key South Carolina Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In South Carolina, counselors and therapists must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements to practice legally. The licensure process for counselors and marriage and family therapists is overseen by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the requirements, credentials, and associated fees.

Credentialing and Licensure Requirements

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):
- Education Requirements: Must hold a master’s degree or higher in counseling or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Supervised Experience: A minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience post-master’s degree is required.
- Examinations: Applicants must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A):
- Education Requirements: Same as for LPC, including a master’s degree in counseling.
- Supervised Practice: This license is for individuals completing their required supervised hours.
- Examinations: Applicants must pass the NCE before applying for the associate license.
Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT):
- Education Requirements: A master’s degree or higher in marriage and family therapy or a related mental health field is required.
- Supervised Experience: A minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience post-master’s degree.
- Examinations: Applicants must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam.
Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFT-A):
- Education Requirements: Must meet the same educational criteria as the LMFT.
- Supervised Practice: This is a provisional license for those working under supervision while completing the required clinical hours.
- Examinations: Applicants must pass the AMFTRB exam before applying for the associate license.

Licensure Renewal Details

License Renewal Period: All licenses are valid for two years and must be renewed biennially.
Continuing Education Requirements: Licensees are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years, including at least 6 hours in ethics. All CE must be from an approved provider.
Renewal Deadline: Licenses must be renewed by August 31st of even-numbered years.

Licensure Fees

Below is a breakdown of the licensure fees for counselors and therapists in South Carolina:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):
- Application Fee: $170
- License Renewal Fee: $150
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A):
- Application Fee: $170
- License Renewal Fee: $150 (if transitioning to full LPC)
Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT):
- Application Fee: $170
- License Renewal Fee: $150
Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFT-A):
- Application Fee: $170
- License Renewal Fee: $150 (if transitioning to full LMFT)

Additional Fees:

Late Renewal Fee: $50 (in addition to the renewal fee, if renewed after the deadline).
Reinstatement Fee: $200 (if the license lapses beyond the renewal deadline).

Sources:

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Board of Examiners: https://www.llr.sc.gov/cou/
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) for NCE and NCMHCE exams: https://www.nbcc.org/
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB): https://amftrb.org/

Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet South Carolina’s requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.

2) South Carolina Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In South Carolina, licensed counselors and therapists must fulfill specific Continuing Education (CE) requirements to maintain their licenses and stay up-to-date with best practices in the field.

These requirements are set by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Below is a detailed overview of the CE requirements for counselors and therapists in South Carolina.

General CE Requirements for Licensure Renewal

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT):
- Licensed professionals are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years.
- At least 25 hours must be related to clinical counseling or therapy skills. These may include advanced topics in mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
- A minimum of 6 hours must be focused on ethics. This is mandatory for both LPCs and LMFTs. Ethics courses typically cover topics like confidentiality, professional boundaries, informed consent, and legal responsibilities.
- The remaining hours can cover other relevant areas of professional development, including general counseling techniques, cultural competency, and crisis management.
Licensed Professional Counselor Associates (LPC-A) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associates (LMFT-A):
- While working under supervision, LPC-As and LMFT-As must also complete 40 hours of CE every two years, following the same guidelines as fully licensed professionals.

Special Requirements for CE Providers and Course Content

Approved Providers: All continuing education courses must be provided by Board-approved organizations. Examples include the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Training programs sponsored by regionally accredited colleges or universities may also qualify if the content is relevant to counseling or therapy. Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved.
Online and In-Person Training: South Carolina allows counselors and therapists to complete CE hours through a combination of in-person workshops, online courses, and webinars, provided these are offered by approved CE providers. However, it’s essential that licensees verify that the courses meet the state’s criteria for approval.
Documentation and Audits: Counselors and therapists are required to maintain records of their CE activities, including certificates of completion, course descriptions, and any other supporting materials. The Board may conduct random audits of licensees to ensure compliance with the CE requirements.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

Failure to meet the continuing education requirements can result in the suspension or non-renewal of a professional license. Counselors and therapists who do not complete the required 40 hours of CE before their licensure renewal date must either complete their CE hours and pay a late fee or apply for reinstatement if their license has lapsed.

Key CE Deadline and Considerations

CE Deadline: Continuing education hours must be completed before the license renewal deadline of August 31st of even-numbered years.
Carry-Over Hours: South Carolina does not allow CE hours to be carried over from one renewal cycle to the next. Each 40-hour requirement is specific to the current two-year licensure period.

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3. FAQs – South Carolina Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEs

Q: What are the key deadlines for renewing a counseling or therapy license in South Carolina?

A: In South Carolina, all counseling and therapy licenses, including Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and their associate-level equivalents, must be renewed every two years.

The renewal deadline is August 31st of even-numbered years. To renew your license, you must submit a renewal application, pay the renewal fee, and complete the required continuing education (CE) hours before the deadline. If you miss the deadline, you may be subject to late fees or risk having your license lapse, which requires a reinstatement process.

Q: How many continuing education (CE) hours do I need to renew my LPC or LMFT license in South Carolina?

A: To renew your LPC or LMFT license in South Carolina, you must complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period. Out of these 40 hours, at least 6 hours must be focused on ethics, and 25 hours must relate specifically to clinical counseling or therapy skills. The remaining hours can cover other relevant professional development areas.

All CE courses must be provided by Board-approved organizations, such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the American Counseling Association (ACA).

Q: What happens if I don’t meet the continuing education requirements before my license renewal deadline?

A: If you fail to complete the required 40 CE hours before the August 31st renewal deadline, your license may not be renewed, and you could face penalties. In this case, you will have to pay a $50 late fee on top of your renewal fee.

If your license lapses beyond the renewal period, you will be required to complete all missing CE hours and pay a $200 reinstatement fee to reactivate your license. It is crucial to keep track of your CE progress and ensure that your courses are approved by the South Carolina Board to avoid delays in the renewal process.

Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet South Carolina Counselor and Therapist CE requirements.

4) Conclusion

Staying on top of licensure renewal and continuing education requirements is essential for counselors and therapists practicing in South Carolina. By understanding the specific guidelines for your license type—whether you are an LPC, LMFT, or in an associate role—you can ensure your license remains in good standing and your practice stays compliant with state regulations.

Proper planning, including tracking CE hours and renewal deadlines, will help avoid the complications and penalties associated with lapsing licensure.

The state’s requirements, such as the 40-hour continuing education mandate and the focus on ethics and clinical skills, are designed to keep professionals well-informed and capable of offering the highest quality care.

These measures not only ensure that practitioners stay current with the latest advancements in mental health care, but also foster ongoing professional growth. In turn, this benefits the communities they serve, as counselors and therapists can continue to deliver evidence-based treatments and uphold ethical standards.

Resources like Agents of Change Continuing Education provide accessible and varied learning opportunities for Counselors and Therapists to meet Continuing Education requirements. Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education.

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► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: Agents of Change Continuing Education

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workersfor more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

South Carolina Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements