# Psychologist Licensure Requirements in South Carolina

**Author:** Psych Degree Starter Editorial Team
**Published:** February 5, 2026
**Updated:** February 5, 2026

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Psychologist licensure in South Carolina requires a doctoral degree, supervised experience, and passage of national and state-specific examinations. School psychologist credentials are issued separately and limit practice to educational environments. 
  
 ## **Primary Licensing Authority**  
  
 The [South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology] (https://llr.sc.gov/psych/) , under the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR), is responsible for psychologist licensure in South Carolina. 
  
 ## **Licensed Psychologist Requirements**  
  
 ### **Education Requirements**  
    
- Doctoral degree required — Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology from a regionally accredited institution.
    
- Non–APA-accredited programs may be accepted if deemed equivalent by the Board.
    
- Continuing education is required for renewal (the specific hour count is not detailed here; the Board mandates ongoing CE consistent with professional standards).
    
 ### **Supervised Experience Requirements**  
    
- Typically two years (approximately 3,000–3,500 hours) of supervised professional experience are required, including one post-doctoral year.
    
- Supervision must meet standards established by the Board.
    
 ### **Examination Requirements**  
    
- EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) is required.
    
- South Carolina Jurisprudence/Ethics Exam is also required for state-specific knowledge and ethical competency.    
 ## **Other Psychology Licenses in South Carolina**  
  
 ### **School Psychologist**  
  
 Certification for school psychologists is managed separately by the [South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE)] (https://ed.sc.gov/) . 
  
 #### **Credentialing Requirements**  
    
- Must hold a master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree in school psychology from a regionally accredited institution.
    
- Must complete a state-approved or NASP-approved program.
    
- Must complete a 1,200-hour supervised internship, including at least 600 hours in a school setting.
    
- Must pass the Praxis School Psychologist (5403) examination.
    
- Must undergo state and federal fingerprint-based background checks.
    
 #### **Certificate Types**  
    
- **Initial Certificate (Tier 1):**  Valid for 3 years, for new graduates or those with under 3 years of experience.
    
- **Professional Certificate (Tier 2):**  Valid for 5 years, renewable; requires at least 3 years of successful experience.
    
- **Chartered School Psychologist:**  Optional; granted to holders of the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential.
    
 #### **Scope of Practice**  
    
- Authorized to provide psychological and educational services within PK–12 schools, including:
  
-- Psychoeducational assessment and consultation
    
-- Individual/group counseling and intervention
    
-- Behavioral and academic support
    
-- Special education eligibility and IEP participation
    
-- Mental health promotion and crisis response
      
- Practice under this certificate is limited to educational settings. Independent clinical practice requires separate licensure through the Board of Examiners in Psychology (LLR).
    
 ## **Scope of Practice Considerations**  
    
- South Carolina issues a general psychologist license for independent practice, which includes all areas of applied psychology. Specialty titles (such as “clinical psychologist”) are not granted.
    
- School psychologist certification is limited to the educational environment.
    
 ## **PSYPACT Status in South Carolina**  
  
 South Carolina is a **participating PSYPACT state** . [PSYPACT] (https://psypact.gov/)  is an interstate compact that allows licensed psychologists to practice telepsychology and conduct temporary in-person psychological services across state lines among participating states. 
  
 ## **Key Takeaways**  
    
- South Carolina psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree, about 3,000–3,500 hours of supervised experience, and passage of the EPPP and state jurisprudence/ethics exam.
    
- Continuing education is required for renewal, as determined by Board standards.
    
- School psychologist credentials are issued by the Department of Education and authorize practice within PK–12 school settings only.
    
- No independent psychologist license is available at the master’s level.
    
- South Carolina participates in PSYPACT, permitting eligible psychologists to provide services across state lines under the Compact.
    
- The Board of Examiners in Psychology (LLR) and the Department of Education are the authorities for psychologist and school psychologist credentialing. Consult these agencies for current requirements.
    
 
**Important Note:**  Licensure requirements can change over time and may vary based on individual circumstances. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and current information, prospective psychologists should always consult the appropriate state licensing board and education agency for the most up-to-date licensure and certification requirements.