South Carolina Respiratory Therapist Licensing Guide

South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License Overview

We have not found an interstate compact that covers Respiratory Therapists in South Carolina. Plan on meeting South Carolina's own requirements before you practice there.

How to Get a South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License by Endorsement

South Carolina uses an online application endorsement process for Respiratory 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 Respiratory Care Practitioner application online through LLR's electronic application (for first-time applicants), or use the paper application
2. Request license verification from current state (via NBRC or direct) (can run concurrently)
3. Complete any state-specific requirements (background check, etc.) (can run concurrently)
4. Await board review and license issuance

License verification is handled through NBRC or direct board verification. Request verification early so your application is not delayed.

Confirm the current fingerprinting and background check steps with the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners (Respiratory Care Practitioners). Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible.

Check the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners (Respiratory Care Practitioners) website for status updates on your application.

South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License Fees

Renewal: from our records; confirm with the board.

Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting.

South Carolina Temporary Respiratory Therapist License

South Carolina issues temporary respiratory therapy licenses, allowing Respiratory Therapists to begin practicing while their permanent endorsement application is being processed.

Emergency Temporary License: duration of the Governor-declared state of emergency only (expires when emergency expires). Limited License: tied to NBRC exam attempt/graduation timeline, with 30 days post-graduation to submit proof of graduation or the Limited License is void.

Eligibility requirements:

• Complete endorsement application submitted via SC board portal
• Current valid Respiratory Therapist license from another US state or NBRC RRT/CRT credential
• Criminal background check: the Board sends instructions for processing your fingerprints once your application is received
• Identification of work location or notation that location is unknown at this time

Issuance timeline:

• Complete application received by SC board
• The board may issue a temporary license once all licensing requirements have been met
• NBRC verification or current state license verification received

Denial risks:

• Missing NBRC credentials or invalid/expired source state license
• Application incomplete after 30-day correction notice window

Important for travelers: Temporary license expires after 3 months or upon issuance/denial of permanent license, whichever comes first. Working at unlisted or different facility than stated on temp license application may trigger immediate revocation; must notify board in writing of work location before beginning employment. Failure to complete permanent licensure application may result in temp license expiration without automatic renewal.

South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License Processing Time

South Carolina Respiratory Therapist endorsement applications typically take 3-6 weeks to process.

In the best-case scenario, processing can be as fast as 3 weeks.

Common sources of delay:

• Board meets monthly with a standard 3-6 week processing window; applications received after cutoff must wait until next meeting cycle
• Background check processing times vary; SC-specific fingerprinting or third-party verification can add 2-3 weeks if not submitted concurrently with application
• NBRC verification requests to other states may be slow; direct board-to-board contact is faster but requires manual board coordination

We have not found an expedited processing option on the South Carolina Board of Medical 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 Respiratory Therapist Continuing Education

South Carolina requires 15 contact hours of continuing education every year for Respiratory Therapist license renewal (from our records; confirm with the board).

South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License Renewal

• Renewal cycle: Every year — $35
• Renewal timing: Current renewal cycle expires May 31, with a 12-month late renewal window through May 31 of the following year (reactivation required after that). Regulation 81-202 still references a March 1 date but the LLR renewals page reflects the current May 31 deadline.
• Late penalty: Additional $65 late renewal fee on top of the $35 renewal fee, and late renewal window runs June 1 through May 31 of the following year, after which reactivation is required

South Carolina Licensing Board and Resources

South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners (Respiratory Care Practitioners)

Board Website · Application Portal · License Verification

Phone: (803) 896-4500

Email: [email protected]