To be licensed by the board as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or addiction counselor, an individual must:
(1) pay the appropriate fees and pass an examination approved by the board;
(2) complete forms prescribed by the board; and
(3) complete the following educational requirements:
(a) for licensed professional counselor or marriage and family therapist, successfully complete a minimum of a master's degree or higher degree program and have been awarded a graduate degree as provided in regulation, provided all course work, including any additional core coursework, must be taken at a college or university accredited by a national educational accrediting body, or one that follows similar educational standards and by the Commission on the Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, one of its transferring regional associations, the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, or a post-degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, or a regionally accredited institution of higher learning subsequent to receiving the graduate degree; or
(b) for licensed addiction counselor, successfully complete a minimum of a master's degree or higher degree program and have been awarded a graduate degree as provided in regulation, provided all course work, including any additional core coursework, must be taken at a college or university accredited by a national educational accrediting body, or one that follows similar standards and the Commission on the Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, one of its transferring regional associations, the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission, other board-approved educational institution, or a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 396, Section 8; 2018 Act No. 249 (H.4601), Section 9, eff May 18, 2018.
Effect of Amendment
2018 Act No. 249, Section 9, rewrote the section, revising the requirements for licensure and providing additional requirements for addiction counselor licensure.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 40 - Professions and Occupations
Section 40-75-5. Application of Title 40, Chapter 1, Article 1.
Section 40-75-20. Definitions.
Section 40-75-30. Licensure requirement.
Section 40-75-40. Nomination and appointment of board members; vacancies; replacements.
Section 40-75-50. Election of officers.
Section 40-75-60. Adoption of rules and regulations.
Section 40-75-70. Additional powers and duties.
Section 40-75-90. Complaints against licensees; investigation and proceedings.
Section 40-75-130. Denial of licensure.
Section 40-75-140. Denial of license based on person's prior criminal record not permitted.
Section 40-75-150. Voluntary surrender of license.
Section 40-75-170. Payment of investigation and prosecution costs.
Section 40-75-180. Collection and enforcement of imposed costs and fines.
Section 40-75-190. Confidentiality of client communications; exceptions.
Section 40-75-200. Violations of chapter; penalty.
Section 40-75-210. Civil penalties; injunctive relief.
Section 40-75-225. Licensure as addiction counselor; requirements.
Section 40-75-240. Associate licenses.
Section 40-75-250. Issuance of license; display; renewal.
Section 40-75-270. Statement of professional disclosure.
Section 40-75-280. Code of ethics; treatment for impaired practitioners; regulations.
Section 40-75-285. Application of article.
Section 40-75-290. Persons not affected by article.
Section 40-75-310. Severability.
Section 40-75-510. Board to administer provisions of article and issue licenses.
Section 40-75-520. Licensed psycho-educational specialist practice; description.
Section 40-75-530. Application procedures; qualifications.
Section 40-75-540. Regulations for continuing education; license renewal.
Section 40-75-560. Use of Licensed Psycho-educational Specialist title.
Section 40-75-570. Credential lines to be used for work done for school district or private school.
Section 40-75-580. Application of Article 1.
Section 40-75-590. Code of ethics regulations.
Section 40-75-600. Payment of benefits and claims against third parties.
Section 40-75-800. Out-of-state counselors and related therapists authorized.