South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License Renewal
- South Carolina-licensed RCPs approaching the May 31 odd-year renewal deadline
- Travel RTs holding a South Carolina license who need to track CE and renewal
- Newly licensed SC RCPs who are exempt from CE during their first renewal cycle
- Practitioners with lapsed SC licenses who need reactivation information
South Carolina RCP License Renewal — At a Glance
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years (biennial) |
| License Expiration | May 31 of odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, 2029, etc.) |
| Renewal Fee | $75 |
| Late Renewal Fee | $65 additional late fee (plus $75 renewal fee = $140 total) |
| CE Hours Required | 30 hours per biennium (June 1 through May 31 of two-year period); first renewal exempt for new licensees |
| Mandatory CE Topics | None specified — CE must be relevant to respiratory care practice |
| Online CE Cap | None — full 30 hours may be completed online or via self-study |
| Renewal Method | Online via LLR portal (timely); paper application only for late renewal |
| Renewal Contact | (803) 896-4500 | Medboard@llr.sc.gov |
South Carolina RCP licenses expire on May 31 of every odd-numbered year — 2025, 2027, 2029, and so on. The biennial renewal fee is $75, with a $65 late fee for renewals submitted after the May 31 deadline ($140 total). Online renewal is available for timely renewals; late renewals must be submitted via paper application.
South Carolina requires 30 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal period — the highest CE requirement in the RC series. The CE reporting period runs June 1 through May 31 across two years. There is no cap on online or self-study CE hours; the full 30-hour requirement can be completed online. Newly licensed practitioners are exempt from CE during their first renewal cycle.
South Carolina RCP Continuing Education Requirements
30 Hours Per Biennium
South Carolina requires 30 contact hours of approved continuing education per biennial renewal period. The CE reporting period runs from June 1 of the year after initial licensure through May 31 of the renewal year (a two-year window). All CE must be relevant to respiratory care practice. Newly licensed practitioners holding an initial permanent license are exempt from CE during their first renewal cycle. Source: SC LLR — RCP CE Hours Renewal Information
No Online CE Cap
No specific online CE hour cap is published for South Carolina RCPs. The full 30-hour biennial requirement may be completed through approved online or self-study courses, subject to Board acceptance. This is one of the more flexible CE structures in the RC series. Source: SC LLR — RCP CE Hours Renewal Information
Approved CE Providers
The following organizations are recognized for South Carolina RCP CE credit:
- American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
- South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care (SCSRC)
- American Heart Association (AHA)
- American Thoracic Society (ATS)
- CHEST (American College of Chest Physicians)
- Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)
- American Lung Association (ALA)
- Area Health Education Consortia (AHEC)
- Accredited institutional CE programs
Source: SC LLR — RCP CE Hours Renewal Information
CE Tracking
South Carolina LLR may use CE tracking systems such as CE Broker for certain regulated professions. RCPs should verify current CE reporting requirements through the LLR renewal portal or by contacting the Board at Medboard@llr.sc.gov before the renewal deadline. CE Broker is free for licensees to create an account at cebroker.com if applicable. Source: SC LLR — Respiratory Care Practitioners
How to Renew Your South Carolina RCP License
- Complete 30 hours of approved CE during the biennial reporting period (June 1 through May 31) — or confirm you are exempt as a first-cycle new licensee
- Log in to the LLR Online Renewals portal to renew online before May 31
- Pay the $75 renewal fee online via Visa, Mastercard, or electronic check
- If renewing late (after May 31): submit a paper late renewal application with the $65 late fee in addition to the $75 renewal fee ($140 total); confirm current late renewal submission method with the Board at (803) 896-4500
- Retain CE documentation in case the Board conducts a random audit
Lapsed License Reactivation
South Carolina requires formal reactivation for lapsed licenses at a fee of $160 per the LLR fee schedule; additional requirements may apply depending on the length of lapse. A Reactivation Application is available on the LLR RCP page. The Board has a specific policy for practitioners who have not practiced for five or more years. Contact the Board at (803) 896-4500 or Medboard@llr.sc.gov to confirm current reactivation requirements before submitting. Source: SC LLR — Board of Medical Examiners Fees
Practical Notes for South Carolina RCP Renewal
- May 31 odd years — not the typical even-year cycle. South Carolina runs the opposite cycle from most states. If your other licenses renew in even years, South Carolina is out of sync. Mark May 31, 2027 and May 31, 2029 in your calendar now.
- 30 CE hours is the highest in this series. By comparison, Maryland requires 16, Oregon 7 per year, Minnesota 24 biennially. Budget your CE time accordingly — 30 hours over two years means roughly 15 hours per year to stay on track.
- No online CE cap — flexibility here. South Carolina is unusual in allowing the full 30 hours online. If you prefer AARC online modules, webinars, or self-study CE, you can satisfy the entire SC requirement without in-person attendance.
- Late renewal requires paper — not online. If you miss the May 31 deadline, you cannot renew online. You must submit a paper late renewal application with the $65 late fee. Factor this into your timeline if you’re on assignment in late May.
- Reactivation fee is $160 — steep. If you let the SC license lapse, reactivation costs more than two full renewal cycles. The five-year non-practice policy may also require additional competency evidence. Stay current if you expect to take SC assignments again.
Related Pages
- South Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner Initial Licensing — Requirements and Application
- Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to renew my South Carolina RCP license?
South Carolina RCP licenses renew every two years (biennially) and expire on May 31 of every odd-numbered year — 2025, 2027, 2029, and so on. The renewal fee is $75. Source: SC LLR — Board of Medical Examiners Fees
How many CE hours are required for South Carolina RCP renewal?
30 contact hours per biennial renewal period, earned during the June 1–May 31 two-year CE reporting period. The full 30 hours may be completed online — there is no cap on self-study or online CE. Newly licensed practitioners are exempt from CE during their first renewal cycle. Source: SC LLR — RCP CE Hours Renewal Information
Can I complete all 30 CE hours online in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina does not impose a cap on online, home-study, or self-study CE hours for RCPs. The full 30-hour biennial requirement may be completed via online courses. Source: SC LLR — RCP CE Hours Renewal Information
Does AARC CE count for South Carolina renewal?
Yes. AARC is listed as an approved CE provider for South Carolina RCP renewal. The South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care (SCSRC) is also approved, along with AHA, ATS, CHEST, SCCM, ALA, AHEC, and accredited institutional programs. Source: SC LLR — RCP CE Hours Renewal Information
What is the late renewal fee for a South Carolina RCP license?
A $65 late fee applies in addition to the $75 renewal fee ($140 total) for renewals submitted after May 31. Late renewals must be submitted by paper application — online late renewal is not available. For lapsed licenses, reactivation is required at a fee of $160. Source: SC LLR — Board of Medical Examiners Fees