At a Glance
To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in South Carolina, you’ll need a qualifying master’s degree, a passing score on the NCE or NCMHCE exam, and 1,500 hours of supervised post-master’s clinical experience completed over at least two years as an LPC Associate. Licensure applications are processed through the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) on behalf of the South Carolina Board.
South Carolina’s counseling licensure requirements follow a two-stage process. You earn the Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate) credential first, complete your supervised hours under an approved supervisor, and then convert to the full Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) oversees the process through the Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists, referred to here as the State Board. The Board has contracted with the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) to process all LPC Associate and LPC applications.
Steps to Counseling Licensure in South Carolina
The path to full LPC licensure involves four main milestones: completing a qualifying graduate degree, passing a national counseling exam, gaining supervised experience as an LPC Associate, and applying for the full LPC license. Here’s how each step works.
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate)
The LPC Associate credential is the entry point for supervised practice. You can’t begin accumulating your post-master’s hours toward full licensure until you hold this license. The application goes to the CCE, not directly to the State Board.
Step 1: Complete your graduate education
Earn a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field. Your degree must meet the State Board’s education requirements (see Required Education below). Have your school send official transcripts directly to the CCE.
Step 2: Arrange your clinical supervisor
You’ll need a Board-approved supervisor before you can start accruing hours. Find an approved supervisor and complete a Plan and Arrangements for Clinical Supervision form together. Include this form with your LPC Associate application. You can request a list of approved supervisors from the CCE.
Step 3: Submit your LPC Associate application
Apply for LPC Associate licensure through the CCE. The application verifies your education, including the required practicum. The application fee is $170.
Step 4: Pass the licensing exam
Once the CCE approves your application, it will send you registration materials for an NBCC exam. You must pass one of the following: the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). See Required Exams below for details on both.
Step 5: Pay the State Board licensing fee and receive your LPC Associate license
After the CCE notifies the State Board that you’ve completed the LPC Associate application process, pay the State Board a $150 licensing fee. You’ll then receive your LPC Associate license and can begin accruing supervised hours.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Once you’ve completed the supervised experience requirement as an LPC Associate, you can apply to convert your associate license to a full LPC. The CCE handles this conversion as well.
Step 1: Complete the supervised experience requirement
As an LPC Associate, you must complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of post-master’s clinical experience over not fewer than two years. Of those 1,500 hours, at least 1,380 must be direct client contact hours (working with individuals, couples, families, or groups), and at least 120 must be clinical supervision hours. Within those 120 supervision hours, a minimum of 60 must be individual or triadic supervision. Keep track of your hours on an LPC Associate Supervision Log. When you’ve met the requirement, complete an LPC Confirmation of Clinical Supervision form with your supervisor and include it with your LPC application.
Step 2: Apply for your LPC license
Submit your application to the CCE to convert your LPC Associate license to a full LPC. The CCE will calculate a pro-rated fee. Once approved, the CCE notifies the State Board, which then issues your LPC license.
Extending your LPC Associate license
Your LPC Associate license is valid for two years. If you need more time to complete your supervised hours, you can apply for a two-year extension by submitting the following to the CCE: an LPC Associate Extension request form, a $150 fee, an updated Plan and Arrangements for Clinical Supervision form, and a brief letter explaining why you need the extension.
Becoming an LPC Supervisor (LPCS)
After five years of active clinical experience (counting from when you became an LPC Associate) and one year as a licensed LPC, you can pursue the LPC Supervisor (LPCS) credential. The process involves a two-year supervised period during which you supervise at least two LPC Associates while also being supervised yourself.
To start, submit a Plan of Supervision for Candidate of LPC Supervisor Licensure to the State Board. Once approved, you’ll track your progress on an LPC Supervisor Candidate Log of Hours and a Supervision Log. You must accumulate at least 36 hours of supervision from your own supervisor. You’ll also need to complete a three-semester-credit graduate course focused on supervision, either as part of your original degree or through a supplemental course taken later. Include official transcripts and both logs with your LPCS application. The LPCS application fee is $100.
Required Education
To qualify for LPC Associate and LPC licensure, you’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field. South Carolina’s requirements differ depending on whether your program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
CACREP-accredited programs: Graduates of CACREP-accredited counseling programs generally satisfy the Board’s coursework framework, but applicants should still verify current degree, practicum, exam, and application requirements with the CCE and SCLLR. CACREP accreditation is widely used for counseling licensure preparation and is specifically recognized in South Carolina’s LPC education pathway.
Non-CACREP programs: Your degree must include at least 60 graduate semester hours primarily in counseling, and must cover the following content areas with at least three credits devoted to each:
- Human growth and development
- Cultural and social foundations
- The helping relationship; counseling techniques and theories
- Group counseling, dynamics, and processing
- Career and lifestyle development
- Appraisal of individuals
- Evaluation and research
- Professional orientation
- Psychopathology
- Diagnostics of psychopathology
Your program must also be accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Practicum and internship requirements
Your degree program must include a qualifying practicum. Before you can begin accruing LPC Associate hours, you must have completed a 100-hour counseling practicum that counts for academic credit and covers areas such as assessment and treatment.
If you want your scope of practice as an LPC Associate to include working with clients with serious mental health disorders, your program also needs to include a 600-hour internship supervised by a qualified, licensed mental health practitioner with relevant experience. Without the internship, your scope of practice as an LPC Associate will be more limited.
If your program didn’t include a qualifying practicum, you can satisfy this requirement by completing a post-master’s practicum at a regionally accredited college or university. Include a Practicum/Internship Verification form with your LPC Associate application.
Required Exams
Before receiving your LPC Associate license, you’ll need to pass one of the following national exams, both administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC):
- National Counselor Examination (NCE): A 200-question multiple-choice exam that assesses foundational counseling knowledge across eight core areas. It’s computer-administered at a local testing center, and you have at least three hours to complete it.
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE): Presents 10 clinical simulation scenarios and evaluates your decision-making responses. Also computer-administered at a local testing center with at least three hours allotted. In South Carolina, which exam you pass does not determine your authority to assess and treat serious disorders. That’s established by your supervised experience.
Once the CCE approves your LPC Associate application, it will send you registration materials for your chosen exam. Exam format and timing can change; confirm the current NCE or NCMHCE format and time limits in the latest NBCC handbook before applying.
Renewing Your LPC License
LPC and LPCS licenses expire every two years. Renewal deadlines are currently listed by South Carolina LLR as August 31 of odd-numbered renewal years; confirm the current renewal cycle on the SCLLR website before submitting your renewal. You can renew online through the South Carolina LLR. To qualify for renewal, LPCs must complete 40 hours of board-approved continuing education, including at least 6 hours focused on ethics. The LPC renewal fee is $150.
LPCS holders must also complete 10 hours of supervision-focused continuing education during each licensure period. The LPCS renewal fee is $100.
Counseling Compact
South Carolina enacted the Counseling Compact in 2024. The Compact is intended to allow eligible LPCs to apply for a privilege to practice in other member states once Compact Commission requirements and state implementation processes are operational. This may matter for telehealth or multistate practice, but relocation can affect home-state licensure and Compact eligibility, so counselors should confirm requirements before moving. Eligible counselors should verify whether privilege applications are currently available and whether South Carolina is fully active in Compact systems before relying on this pathway. You can find current member states and eligibility requirements through the Counseling Compact website.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
If you’re already licensed as an LPC in another state, South Carolina may offer licensure by endorsement for applicants with an active, unrestricted out-of-state license, subject to Board review of whether prior requirements meet South Carolina standards. Have your state’s licensing board send a Verification of Licensure for Endorsement form directly to the CCE, and review current CCE and SCLLR application materials carefully before submitting.
Counseling Career Salaries in South Carolina
Salaries for licensed counselors in South Carolina vary by specialization, work setting, and employer. Readers weighing credential types may also find our LCSW vs. LMHC comparison useful. The following figures are national medians from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. State-level figures may differ.
| Counseling Occupation |
Median Annual Wage (National, May 2024) |
| School and Career Counselors and Advisors |
$65,140 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
$59,190 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$46,110 |
The BLS projects employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. School and career counselors and advisors are projected to grow 4 percent over the same period, about as fast as average.
Professional Resources
These organizations support licensed counselors in South Carolina with continuing education, networking, and advocacy.
South Carolina Counseling Association (SCCA): The state affiliate of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Offers continuing education opportunities and hosts an annual conference.
South Carolina Association of Licensed Professional Counselors (SCALPC): The state chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), focused on advancing the LPC profession in South Carolina.
South Carolina Clinical Mental Health Counselor Association (SCCMHCA): Also affiliated with the AMHCA. Focuses on advocacy, education, and professional development for clinical mental health counselors.
Palmetto State School Counselor Association (PSSCA): Dedicated to school counseling professionals. Hosts conferences, provides resources, and advocates for school counselors across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed counselor in South Carolina?
Plan on roughly eight years from the start of your undergraduate education to full LPC licensure. That’s four years for a bachelor’s degree, two years for a master’s in counseling, and a minimum of two years as an LPC Associate completing your 1,500 supervised hours. Some candidates take longer if they pursue the degree part-time or need to extend their associate license.
What’s the difference between the NCE and NCMHCE in South Carolina?
The NCE is a 200-question multiple-choice exam covering foundational counseling knowledge. The NCMHCE uses clinical simulation scenarios to assess your decision-making in mental health counseling situations. In South Carolina, passing either exam satisfies the licensing requirement, and which one you pass doesn’t affect your authority to work with clients who have serious disorders. That scope is determined by your supervised training and internship experience.
Can I practice as a counselor in South Carolina if I’m licensed in another state?
Yes, through two pathways. South Carolina may offer licensure by endorsement for applicants with an active, unrestricted out-of-state license, subject to Board review of whether prior requirements meet South Carolina standards. South Carolina also enacted the Counseling Compact in 2024. The Compact is intended to allow eligible LPCs to apply for practice privileges in other member states once the Compact Commission requirements and state implementation processes are operational. Eligible counselors should confirm whether privilege applications are currently available before relying on this pathway.
What does a non-CACREP degree applicant need to qualify in South Carolina?
Your master’s program must include at least 60 graduate semester hours primarily in counseling, cover 10 required content areas with at least three credits each, include a qualifying practicum, and be accredited by a CHEA-recognized regional body or the Association of Theological Schools. If your program didn’t include a qualifying practicum, you can complete a post-master’s practicum at an accredited institution to satisfy that requirement.
What happens if I don’t finish my supervised hours before my LPC Associate license expires?
You can apply for a two-year extension before your associate license expires. You’ll need to submit an extension request form, a $150 fee, an updated clinical supervision plan, and a letter explaining why you need more time. Submit this to the CCE before your license lapses. Reinstatement after expiration involves a separate process.
Key Takeaways
- South Carolina uses a two-step path: earn the LPC Associate first, complete 1,500 supervised hours over at least two years, then convert to the full LPC.
- Applications for both the LPC Associate and LPC are processed through the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE), not directly through the State Board.
- Of the 1,500 required supervised hours, 1,380 must be direct client contact, and 120 must be clinical supervision, with at least 60 of those supervision hours being individual or triadic.
- CACREP-accredited degree programs generally satisfy South Carolina’s education framework, though applicants should confirm current requirements with CCE and SCLLR. Non-CACREP applicants need at least 60 graduate semester hours in counseling covering 10 required content areas.
- South Carolina enacted the Counseling Compact in 2024. Eligible LPCs should confirm whether privilege applications are currently available and whether South Carolina is fully operational in Compact systems before relying on this pathway.
Explore counseling programs and confirm that any program you’re considering meets current South Carolina LPC education and practicum requirements.
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Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for school and career counselors and advisors, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, and rehabilitation counselors represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
