Counselors · South Carolina · Continuing education
South Carolina Counselor (LPC) CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- LAC40 hours every 2 years, including 6 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 1 h suicide prevention, 10 h clinical supervision; renewal on the date shown on your license.
- LPC40 hours every 2 years, including 6 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 1 h suicide prevention, 10 h clinical supervision; renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
How many hours do I still need?
Find conferences in South Carolina →
Calculated in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
03 Requirements
South Carolina LAC CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- —
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Board-approved CE; programs sponsored by a professional counselor, addiction counselor or MFT certifying body or Board-approved sponsoring body (or its divisions) are automatically approved; others need approval 90 days in advance. Up to 20 hours via first-time presentations (max 5), refereed publications (max 5), new course preparation (max 5). In person or online.
- Carryover
- Not allowed.
- New licensees
- No CE for the licensing period in which the initial license was obtained.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawEthical standards related to the addiction counselor license | 6 | every renewal |
| Suicide preventionAll licensees: suicide assessment, treatment and management | 1 | every renewal |
| Clinical supervisionLicensed addiction counselor supervisors: supervision of their discipline | 10 | every renewal |
Good to know. 40 hours per two-year licensure period, 33 of them related to the license. Holders of more than one license need 50 hours. Addiction counselors are licensed by the same Board.
Source: www.scstatehouse.gov · S.C. Code Regs. 36-16 · checked Oct 28, 2026
South Carolina LPC CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- —
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Board-approved CE; programs sponsored by a professional counselor, addiction counselor or MFT certifying body or Board-approved sponsoring body (or its divisions) are automatically approved; others need approval 90 days in advance. Up to 20 hours via first-time presentations (max 5), refereed publications (max 5), new course preparation (max 5). In person or online.
- Carryover
- Not allowed.
- New licensees
- No CE for the licensing period in which the initial license was obtained.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawEthical standards related to the professional counselor license | 6 | every renewal |
| Suicide preventionAll licensees: suicide assessment, treatment and management | 1 | every renewal |
| Clinical supervisionLicensed professional counselor supervisors: supervision of their discipline | 10 | every renewal |
Good to know. 40 hours per two-year licensure period, 33 of them related to the license. Holders of more than one license need 50 hours.
Source: www.scstatehouse.gov · S.C. Code Regs. 36-16 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in South Carolina
05 Questions
How many CE hours do counselors need in South Carolina?
LAC: 40 hours every 2 years. LPC: 40 hours every 2 years.
How do I verify a counselor license in South Carolina?
Use the license lookup of the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists (llr.sc.gov/cou); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
Which CE topics are mandatory for counselors in South Carolina?
LAC: Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 6 h (every renewal); Suicide prevention — 1 h (every renewal); Clinical supervision — 10 h (every renewal). LPC: Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 6 h (every renewal); Suicide prevention — 1 h (every renewal); Clinical supervision — 10 h (every renewal).
Which CE courses count for counselors in South Carolina?
LAC: Board-approved CE; programs sponsored by a professional counselor, addiction counselor or MFT certifying body or Board-approved sponsoring body (or its divisions) are automatically approved; others need approval 90 days in advance. Up to 20 hours via first-time presentations (max 5), refereed publications (max 5), new course preparation (max 5). In person or online. LPC: Board-approved CE; programs sponsored by a professional counselor, addiction counselor or MFT certifying body or Board-approved sponsoring body (or its divisions) are automatically approved; others need approval 90 days in advance. Up to 20 hours via first-time presentations (max 5), refereed publications (max 5), new course preparation (max 5). In person or online.
When is the renewal deadline for counselors in South Carolina?
LAC: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle). LPC: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).