How to become a Counselor in South Carolina
Learn how to earn your counseling licensure in SC
Additional Information
Click on the link that best describes your current situation...
Below are basic guidelines for those wishing to earn their counseling certification in Maine. Most requirements such as earning your Master's degree, completing 3000 hours of supervised experience and passing the NCE examination have been and will continue to be mandatory in the Maine counseling licensure process. However, it is wise to contact the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors at (803) 896-4658 to make sure you are on the right track.
I'm a High School Graduate...
As a high school graduate with motivation, you will want to use your momentum to start earning credit towards a college degree. South Carolina counseling certification requires candidates to have completed a minimum of a master's degree. Therefore, the most important thing you should be thinking about is how to enroll in a college degree program as soon as possible.
The next step is to learn how you can enroll in an Associate's degree program or Bachelor's degree program.
Click on the links below to browse schools offering programs in psychology or counseling.
Once you have enrolled in a program, take advantage of your school's career services department and learn how you can find employment or volunteer opportunities that are related to the counseling career path.
I've already received my Bachelor's degree...
Once you have your bachelor's degree, you will need to find a school offering a master's or doctoral degree program in counseling.
Step One:
Click on the links below to contact schools offering Master's or PhD programs in counseling or related field.
- Capella University - Master's of Science in Human Services (HS) - Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
- Adler School of Professional Psychology - Master's in Counseling Psychology
- Argosy University - EdD in Counseling Psychology
- Grand Canyon University - Master's in Addiction Counseling and Master's in Professional Counseling
- Liberty University - Master's and PhD programs in Professional Counseling and Pastoral Counseling
Or request information from additional schools offering counseling programs in South Carolina.
Step Two:
You will need to apply for a preliminary intern license by submitting the appropriate application and required fees to the South Carolina Board of Examiners.
You can download the South Carolina preliminary counseling intern license application off the following South Carolina Department of Labor webpage.
Step Three:
When your education experience has been approved by the Board, you will be sent an examination registration packet for either the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental health Counselor Examination. Both are administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Information about the examinations is available on the NBCC website.
Step Four:
When the Board has approved you for an internship license, you can begin earning the required 3000 hours of supervised clinical experience for full professional counseling licensure. 1500 of these hours need to be completed after your degree has been earned.
More details and information about qualifying supervisors can be found in the South Carolina Code of Regulations.
Step Five:
Next, you can submit the South Carolina counseling application for full licensure. You will need to download the application and submit it to the Board along with all supporting documents and fees.
You can download the application off the following South Carolina Department of Labor webpage.
Step Six:
The Board will receive your exam scores from the exam administrator. Upon approval of those scores and your application, you will be notified of your licensure status.