South Carolina Psychology License Requirements
To earn a South Carolina psychology license, you need a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution, approximately 3,000 hours of supervised experience split between pre-doctoral and post-doctoral work, and passing scores on two exams: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the South Carolina Oral (Jurisprudence) Examination.
Most careers in helping professions require a degree and a license. Psychology in South Carolina asks for considerably more. Getting there means committing to a doctoral program, completing a multi-year supervised experience, and passing two separate exams. It’s a long path. It’s also a specific one, and understanding exactly what the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology requires before you start can save you years of misdirection.
What Licensed Psychologists Do in South Carolina
South Carolina licenses psychologists across seven specialty areas: clinical, community, counseling, experimental, industrial/organizational, school, and social psychology. The state has more than 60 major hospitals, 100-plus school districts, and a growing network of community mental health centers that employ psychologists in direct-service roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 12,900 openings projected each year.
Most licensed psychologists work in clinical or counseling settings, conducting psychological assessments, diagnosing mental health conditions, developing treatment plans, and providing therapy. Others work in school systems, supporting students with learning and behavioral challenges. Some hold research or academic appointments at institutions like Clemson University or the University of South Carolina. The BLS reports a national median annual wage of $94,310 for psychologists as of May 2024, with school psychologists earning a median of $86,930. What unifies all of these paths in South Carolina is the license. Without it, you can’t diagnose independently, you can’t open a private practice, and you can’t hold most senior clinical roles.
Education Requirements for South Carolina Psychology Licensure
South Carolina requires a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution. That’s the baseline, and it isn’t negotiable for those seeking full licensure in clinical or counseling psychology. The program must include at least 3 years of full-time graduate study beyond the bachelor’s degree, excluding any predoctoral internship. If the program is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), it will need Board approval as equivalent, and you’ll need to submit course descriptions and supporting documentation with your application.
Some candidates complete a stand-alone master’s degree in psychology before entering a doctoral program. A master’s on its own qualifies you for a range of counseling and human services roles, but it won’t get you to psychology licensure in South Carolina. The doctoral degree is the destination. South Carolina accepts both a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Pursuing a doctorate in psychology through a PhD program typically runs five to seven years and emphasizes research alongside clinical training. PsyD programs focus more on clinical practice and usually take four to six years to complete. Both paths lead to full licensure. Your choice depends on whether you’re drawn more toward research or direct client work.
Here’s how the degree progression breaks down in terms of what each level qualifies you for:
| Degree Level | What It Qualifies You For | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s in Psychology | Entry-level human services roles, case management, and research assistant positions | 4 years |
| Master’s in Psychology | Counseling roles, community mental health, school-based support (non-licensed practice) | 2 years beyond bachelor’s |
| Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD) | Full psychology licensure, independent practice, clinical leadership, and diagnosis | 4-7 years beyond bachelor’s |
Supervised Experience: Meeting the 3,000-Hour Requirement
Before you can apply for a full license, you need approximately 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience (verify the current pre/post split with the Board, as requirements may change). Up to 1,500 of those hours can come from a qualifying predoctoral internship completed during your doctoral program. The internship must meet APA or comparable professional standards, and your supervisor will need to complete a Predoctoral Supervision form and submit it to the Board.
The remaining hours are completed after you’ve earned your doctoral degree. This is your postdoctoral experience. It requires at least one hour per week of face-to-face supervision from a psychologist who holds a South Carolina license in the same specialty area you’re pursuing. One important procedural note: you and your supervisor must submit a supervision contract to the Board for approval before the postdoctoral vision begins. Don’t start logging hours until that contract is approved.
Two Stages of Licensure: Psychology Resident and Licensed Psychologist
South Carolina’s process has two formal licensure stages, and it helps to know the difference before you apply.
The first is Psychology Resident status (confirm this is still the official title with the Board, as some states have renamed this tier). This applies to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree and are in postdoctoral positions. You apply for resident status once your preliminary application is approved, and it authorizes you to practice under supervision while you accumulate the required hours and prepare for your exams.
The second stage is full licensure as a Licensed Psychologist. This is what most people are working toward. It requires completing all supervised hours, passing both required exams, and final Board approval. Once you hold a full license, you can practice independently in your approved specialty areas.
The Examination Process
Two exams are required for licensure in South Carolina.
The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a national exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). South Carolina currently uses a passing scaled score of 500 (the standard ASPPB benchmark), subject to board updates. You can take the EPPP at Prometric testing centers in South Carolina. Confirm available locations when scheduling, as these change. The exam fee is $600, plus a Prometric administrative fee of $79.56, both of which are subject to change by ASPPB and Prometric. If you don’t pass on the first attempt, there’s a 60-day waiting period before you can retest. South Carolina allows two attempts per year.
The second is the South Carolina Oral (Jurisprudence) Examination. This exam isn’t scheduled until all other requirements have been met. The Board will notify you when you’re eligible. If you don’t pass, you’ll need to wait six months before attempting it again.
Applying for Your South Carolina Psychology License
The process starts with a Preliminary Application for Licensure submitted to the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology. The application carries a non-refundable fee of approximately $500, subject to change. Confirm the current amount with the Board. Payment is by money order, cashier’s check, or personal check. You’ll also need to submit a current curriculum vitae and arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly from your graduate institutions to the Board.
As of June 1, 2024, all applicants are required to complete a fingerprint criminal background check covering both state and national records (confirm this requirement is still current with the Board). The Board will send fingerprint instructions after your application is received. Don’t arrange the background check before then. Once you’ve passed both exams and completed your postdoctoral work, you’ll submit your Supervisor’s Report Form and the remaining application materials for final review.
South Carolina is also an active PSYPACT member state (verify current participation status at psypact.org). PSYPACT allows licensed psychologists to practice temporarily in other participating states without obtaining a separate license in each one. If you’re considering telehealth or multistate practice, this membership matters. For current application forms, fee schedules, and board contact information, visit the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed psychologist in South Carolina?
The full timeline typically runs 8 to 12 years from the start of your bachelor’s degree. That includes four years of undergraduate study, four to seven years for your doctoral program (which often includes the predoctoral internship), and at least one additional year of postdoctoral experience before you’re eligible to sit for your exams.
Does South Carolina accept PsyD degrees for licensure?
Yes. South Carolina accepts both PhD and PsyD degrees for psychology licensure, provided they’re from regionally accredited institutions. If your program isn’t APA-accredited, the Board will need to review and approve it as equivalent. In that case, plan to submit course descriptions and supporting program materials along with your application.
What exams are required for a South Carolina psychology license?
Two exams are required: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a nationally administered exam with a current passing scaled score of 500, and the South Carolina Oral (Jurisprudence) Examination, which is scheduled after all other requirements are met. Both must be passed before the Board will issue a full license.
What does it cost to apply for a South Carolina psychology license?
The Preliminary Application for Licensure carries a non-refundable fee of approximately $500 (subject to change). The EPPP adds another $600, plus a Prometric administrative fee of $79.56, both subject to change. Budget for these costs well before you reach the application stage, as none of the fees are refundable if your application isn’t approved or you don’t pass the exam.
Can I practice psychology in other states with a South Carolina license?
South Carolina is an active PSYPACT member state, allowing licensed psychologists to provide services temporarily in other participating states without obtaining a separate license in each. This is especially relevant for telehealth providers and psychologists who work across state lines. Verify current SC participation and get a full list of member states at psypact.org.
Key Takeaways
- A doctoral degree is required. South Carolina requires a PhD or PsyD from a regionally accredited program for full licensure in psychology. A master’s degree alone won’t qualify you.
- Approximately 3,000 supervised hours, split two ways. Up to 1,500 can come from your predoctoral internship. The remaining hours must be completed post-doctorally with face-to-face supervision from a SC-licensed psychologist in your specialty area.
- Two exams, not one. You’ll need a passing score on both the EPPP (currently 500) and the South Carolina Oral (Jurisprudence) Examination before the Board will issue your license.
- SC has two licensure stages. Psychology Resident status covers you during your postdoctoral vision phase. Full Licensed Psychologist status is granted upon completion of all requirements.
- SC is a PSYPACT member. This compact allows licensed SC psychologists to practice temporarily in other participating states, which matters if telehealth or multistate work is part of your plans.
Exploring careers in South Carolina human services? Our state overview covers the full range of psychology, counseling, and South Carolina social work license paths, along with education requirements and program options.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Psychologists reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.