Continuing Education (CE) Requirements in South Carolina for Mental Health Professionals

Stay compliant with South Carolina CE requirements. Find your profession below for specific hour requirements, ethics mandates, and renewal deadlines.

This page is part of our 50-state CE requirements library. View CE requirements for all states.

Browse CE Courses Get Unlimited CE - $75/year
Therapy Trainings is approved by: NBCC ACEP ASWB ACE NAADAC

Professional Counselors (LPC)

Licensed Professional Counselors in South Carolina

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 40 hours
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years (Sept 1 - Aug 31 of odd years)
Ethics 6 hours required
Supervision (if supervisor) 10 hours required
Formal CE Minimum 20 hours
Informal CE Maximum 20 hours
Multiple Licenses 50 hours total (44 professional + 6 ethics)
Licensing Board SC Board of Examiners for LPCs, MFTs, Addiction Counselors

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists based on NBCC approval.
  • Formal CE includes workshops, conferences, in-service training, college courses, and teaching activities.

Social Workers (LISW/LMSW)

Licensed Social Workers in South Carolina

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 40 hours
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years (by December 31 of even years)
Social Work Provider Hours Minimum 20 hours from SW-trained providers
Licensing Board South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners based on ASWB approval.
  • A minimum of 20 hours must be provided by a trained social worker (BSW, MSW, or doctorate in social work).

Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists in South Carolina

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 40 hours
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years (Sept 1 - Aug 31 of odd years)
Ethics 6 hours required
Supervision (if supervisor) 10 hours required
Formal CE Minimum 20 hours
Informal CE Maximum 20 hours
Multiple Licenses 50 hours total (44 professional + 6 ethics)
Licensing Board SC Board of Professional Counselors, MFTs, Psycho-Educational Specialists

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists based on NBCC approval.
  • Informal CE includes research, publications, supervision of associates, and self-study.

Psychologists

Licensed Psychologists in South Carolina

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 24 hours
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years
Child Abuse Recognition 2 hours required
Category A (Formal) Minimum 12 credits
Category B (Other) Maximum 12 credits
Licensing Board South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology under Category A experiences.
  • Our courses provide direct contact hours that convert to CE credits on a one-to-one basis.

Addiction Counselors (LAC/LCAS)

Licensed Addiction Counselors in South Carolina

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 40 hours
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years
Professional License Hours 34 hours required
Ethics 6 hours required
Supervision (if supervisor) 10 hours required
Informal CE Maximum 15 hours
Multiple Licenses 50 hours total
Licensing Board SC Board of Examiners for LPCs, MFTs, Addiction Counselors

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists based on NBCC approval.
  • Addiction Counselor Supervisors must complete 10 hours of supervision-specific CE each cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between formal and informal CE?

Formal CE includes workshops, conferences, in-service training, college courses, and teaching activities. Informal CE includes research, publications, supervision of associates, post-graduate supervised experiences, program planning/evaluation, and self-study.

What if I hold multiple licenses?

Persons holding more than one license must complete 50 hours of formal CE every two years. Of the 50 hours, 44 must relate to the professional licenses (divided equally among disciplines) and 6 hours must relate to ethical standards.

Is Therapy Trainings accepted for South Carolina psychologists?

Yes! Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology under Category A experiences. Our courses provide direct contact hours that convert to CE credits on a one-to-one basis.

What is the 20-hour social work provider requirement?

South Carolina requires that a minimum of 20 of your 40 CE hours must be specifically provided by a trained social worker - someone with a BSW, MSW, or doctorate degree in social work.

When do South Carolina licenses renew?

Counselors, MFTs, and Addiction Counselors renew September 1 to August 31 of odd years. Social Workers renew by December 31 of even years.

Official Sources

Looking for requirements in another state?

View All State CE Requirements

Start Your South Carolina CE Requirements Today

Access hundreds of courses approved for South Carolina mental health professionals. Complete your requirements at your own pace.

Browse CE Courses Get Unlimited CE - $75/year

Last updated: January 2026