South Carolina counseling license requirements

We've listed some of the most common questions and answers for South Carolina counseling continuing education.

How many CE Credits does South Carolina require for counselors?

• Professionals licensed by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors:

  • LPC, LPCS, LMFT, LMFS, LPES, LAC: 40 hours every 2 years. Licenses expire on 8/31 of odd-numbered years.
  • LACS: 50 hours every 2 years. Licenses expire on 8/31 of odd-numbered years.

• Professionals with credentials from Addiction Professionals of South Carolina:

  • ADC, AADC, Clinical Supervisor: 40 hours every 2 years.
  • Other credentials: Refer to board rules.

Can I take my continuing education through Continued Counseling?

• Licensed Professional Counselors/Marriage & Family Therapists/Addiction Counselors: Yes. For professionals licensed through the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists, the Board accepts courses by NBCC and NAADAC approved providers. Continued has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484. Continued is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, #283836. Find courses offered for NBCC credit or courses approved by NAADAC.

• The Addiction Professionals of South Carolina (APSC) Board accepts courses by NAADAC approved providers. Continued is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, #283836. Find courses approved by NAADAC.

Licensees are responsible for completing courses that align with the content requirements for their specific license.

Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Counselors, and Licensed Psycho-educational Specialists:

• LPC, LPCS, LMFT, LMFS, LPES:

  • There is no limit to the number of online, formal continuing education hours that can be obtained. Continued courses are considered formal learning as defined by the South Carolina Board.
  • 6 hours must be obtained in ethical standards related to the respective professional license each renewal. Continued offers courses that may meet the ethics course requirement.
  • If a supervisor, licensees must obtain 10 hours in supervision each renewal. Continued offers courses that may meet the supervision course requirement.

Addiction Counselors:

• LAC, LACS:

  • For professionals credentialed by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists:

  • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online.
  • 6 hours of ethics each renewal period. Continued offers courses that may meet the ethics course requirement.
  • 34 hours of substance abuse content each renewal period. Continued offers courses that may meet the substance abuse course requirement.
  • If a supervisor, licensees must obtain 10 hours in supervision each renewal. Continued offers courses that may meet the supervision course requirement.

• For professionals credentialed by the Addiction Professionals of South Carolina:

  • ADC, AADC, Clinical Supervisor:

    • The primary focus of trainings should be related to the Domains.
    • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online.
    • 6 hours of ethics each renewal period. Continued offers courses that may meet the ethics course requirement.
    • 3 hours of HIV/AIDS required for new applicants only. Continued offers courses that may meet the HIV/AIDS course requirement.

CE Broker Reporting:

• Proof of required CE must be electronically submitted directly to CE Broker. Continued will report course completions to CE Broker for approved courses. You may also self-report to CE Broker. The Continued provider number for CE Broker is 50-29950.