South Carolina Physical Therapist Licensing Guide

South Carolina PT License Overview

South Carolina is a PT Compact member state. A Physical Therapist licensed in another member state can practice here under a compact privilege instead of a South Carolina license, but it is not automatic: you must hold a license in your home state with no encumbrance on any state license, have had no adverse action against any license or compact privilege in the previous two years, notify the PT Compact Commission, pay the fees, and meet any South Carolina jurisprudence requirement.

For travelers, this means you may be able to work in South Carolina on a PT Compact privilege instead of a South Carolina license, provided your home-state license is in another PT Compact state that is also issuing privileges. A compact privilege is something you apply for through the compact before you start; it is not automatic.

How to Get a South Carolina PT License by Endorsement

South Carolina uses an online application endorsement process for Physical Therapists already licensed in another state. You'll need to submit your completed application along with supporting documents and the $110 application fee.

1. Submit the endorsement application online through LLR's eService portal and upload the required documents
2. Have FSBPT transfer your exam score to South Carolina, and ask one state where you hold a current, active license to mail an official license verification directly to the board (can run concurrently)
3. Await board review and license issuance

License verification is handled through an official license verification mailed directly to the board by one state where you hold a current, active license. Request verification early so your application is not delayed.

Confirm the current fingerprinting and background check steps with the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible.

Check the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners website for status updates on your application.

South Carolina PT License Fees

Physical Therapist Assistants: renewal is $70 (figures above are for Physical Therapists).

Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting.

South Carolina Temporary PT License

South Carolina issues temporary physical therapy licenses, but they are only for applicants who meet every licensure requirement except the clinical practice hours or the official transcript, who are reactivating a license that has been inactive or lapsed for three years or more, or whose practice the board decides must be restricted (South Carolina calls this a provisional license). Otherwise, plan your start date around the full processing time.

Important for travelers: A provisional license is valid for up to 1 year from issue and cannot be renewed. You work under the supervision of a Physical Therapist licensed in South Carolina (on-site supervision except for the missing-transcript case) and file a supervisory agreement form for each place of employment.

South Carolina PT License Processing Time

South Carolina Physical Therapist endorsement applications typically take 1-3 weeks to process.

In the best-case scenario, processing can be as fast as 10-14 days if application mailed immediately, background check clears without issues, and board meets within 1 week of submission.

Common sources of delay:

• Your FSBPT exam score transfer, official transcript and license verification must each reach the board directly from the issuing agency
• Board review cycle not publicly disclosed; if application arrives after monthly board meeting cutoff, approval waits 4+ weeks for next meeting
• The state and FBI fingerprint background check starts only after the board receives your application and sends you instructions, so do not get fingerprinted before then

We have not found an expedited processing option on the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners' site. The best way to minimize your wait time is to ensure all application components — fingerprints, verification, and any required exams — are completed before or immediately after submitting your application.

South Carolina PT Continuing Education

South Carolina requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for Physical Therapist license renewal.

• Mandatory topics: physical therapy ethics
• First renewal: New licensees may qualify for reduced CE requirements during their first renewal cycle

South Carolina PT License Renewal

• Renewal cycle: Every 2 years, expiring December 31 (the license lapses if it is not renewed or postmarked by January 31) — $80 via South Carolina LLR portal
• CE topics: physical therapy ethics
• Late penalty: $150 late renewal fee, and reinstating a lapsed license costs $390

South Carolina Licensing Board and Resources

South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

Board Website · Application Portal · License Verification

Phone: (803) 896-4655

Email: [email protected]