South Carolina OT License Renewal: CE Hours, NBCOT Requirement & Fees (2026)
This page covers renewal requirements for South Carolina occupational therapist licenses. Data is based on direct review of the SC Board of Occupational Therapy renewal page, fee schedule, and CE page — all accessed June 2026. This page is editorially reviewed by an ARDMS-credentialed sonographer as part of AlliedLicenseGuide.com’s allied health licensing database. View the primary source at the SC Board of Occupational Therapy Renewal page.
- South Carolina-licensed OTs preparing for biennial license renewal by March 15, 2027
- OTs whose South Carolina license has lapsed or gone inactive who need to understand reinstatement options
- Travel OTs with a South Carolina home state license who want to understand compact renewal implications
South Carolina OT License Renewal — At a Glance
| Renewal Cycle | Biennial — next renewal deadline March 15, 2027; renewal window opens January 13, 2027 |
| Renewal Fee | $100 |
| Late Renewal Fee | $50 (March 16 – April 15 of renewal year) |
| License Expiration | March 15 of odd-numbered years — next: March 15, 2027 |
| Late Renewal Window | March 16 – April 15 with $50 late fee; license lapsed if not renewed by April 15 |
| CE Requirement | 16 contact hours per biennial CE period (March 16, 2025 – March 15, 2027); CE Broker is the Board’s CE tracking system — maintain CE records through CE Broker |
| NBCOT Requirement | NBCOT certification must remain active and in good standing at all times — separate from CE requirement |
| Mandatory CE Topics | None identified; CPR/HIPAA/universal precautions and independent reading/peer review do not qualify |
| Approved CE | No Board pre-approval; licensees determine eligibility per Chapter 94 Article 4 criteria; CE Broker tracks and reports hours |
| Renewal Method | Online via LLR Renewal page |
| Lapsed License | Lapsed: $300 reinstatement + $100 per missed renewal cycle; Inactive to Active: $50 + renewal fee |
| Renewal Portal | SC Board of OT Renewal page |
| Board Contact | Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov | (803) 896-4683 | 110 Centerview Dr., Columbia, SC 29210 |
South Carolina OT licenses renew on a biennial cycle with a fixed March 15 expiration date in odd-numbered years. The next renewal deadline is March 15, 2027, and the renewal window opens January 13, 2027. All renewals are completed online through the LLR portal. A late renewal window runs from March 16 through April 15 with a $50 late fee — after April 15, the license is lapsed and reinstatement is required.
South Carolina has two parallel renewal requirements that must both be met: completing 16 hours of continuing education per biennial CE period, and maintaining active NBCOT certification in good standing at all times. These are separate obligations. The Board’s renewal page explicitly states: “In order to maintain licensure to practice in South Carolina, your NBCOT Certification must remain active and in good standing at all times.” This is not a CE waiver situation like Maryland or Oregon — both CE and NBCOT currency are required.
CE Broker is South Carolina’s CE tracking system. Licensees are expected to create a free CE Broker account and maintain their CE records through it. If you have not registered with CE Broker, do so well before the renewal window opens.
South Carolina OT Continuing Education Requirements
16 Hours Per Biennial CE Period
Per SC Regulations Chapter 94 Article 4, each licensee must complete satisfactorily 16 hours of continuing education per biennium as defined in regulation. The current CE period runs from March 16, 2025 to March 15, 2027. Proof of completion must be submitted on a form approved by the Board via CE Broker.
NBCOT Certification — Separate Ongoing Requirement
Unlike many states where NBCOT currency is optional or can substitute for CE, South Carolina requires that NBCOT certification remain active and in good standing as an independent condition of licensure — throughout the entire biennial period, not just at renewal. Allowing your NBCOT certification to lapse while holding a South Carolina license is a compliance issue separate from CE.
What Counts — and What Does Not
The Board does not pre-approve CE experiences. Licensees are responsible for using the guidelines and materials in Continuing Education Chapter 94 to determine whether an activity qualifies. Key limitations per the Board’s CE FAQ:
- Does not qualify: Independent reading, peer review, or related studies
- Does not qualify: CPR, universal precautions, HIPAA, and other entry-level healthcare education — these are viewed as entry-level and do not promote advanced OT competency
- Video/audio materials: Only qualify if they meet the requirements of in-service, workshop, conference, or seminar format
CE Broker
CE Broker is the CE tracking system for the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy. Create a free account at cebroker.com/sc/account/basic/. For account setup questions or problems, contact CE Broker customer support directly at (877) 434-6323 or support@cebroker.com, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
How to Renew Your South Carolina OT License
- Ensure your NBCOT certification is active and in good standing.
- Complete 16 hours of qualifying continuing education between March 16, 2025 and March 15, 2027, tracked through your CE Broker account.
- When the renewal window opens (January 13, 2027), log into the LLR Online Renewals portal and complete your renewal application.
- Ensure your CE records are current in CE Broker, which the Board uses as its CE tracking system.
- Pay the $100 renewal fee online.
Contact the Board at (803) 896-4683 or Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov with any questions before or during the renewal period.
Lapsed and Inactive Licenses
South Carolina distinguishes between lapsed and inactive license statuses, with different reinstatement fees for each:
Reinstatement from Lapsed Status to Active: $300 reinstatement fee plus $100 renewal fee for each renewal cycle the license was lapsed. For example, a license lapsed for one renewal cycle generally requires the $300 reinstatement fee plus the $100 renewal fee. Contact the Board to confirm current reinstatement requirements before submitting an application.
Reinstatement from Inactive Status to Active: $50 plus the standard renewal fee ($100), for a total of $150. An inactive license is a formal status — contact the Board to confirm the process for placing a license on inactive status.
For all reinstatement applications, contact the Board directly at (803) 896-4683 or Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov to confirm current requirements. Reinstatement application forms are available at llr.sc.gov/ot/pub.aspx.
OT Compact and South Carolina License Renewal
South Carolina is an OT Compact member state. For South Carolina-licensed OTs holding compact privileges in other member states, maintaining an active, unencumbered South Carolina home state license — and maintaining active NBCOT certification — is essential for retaining those compact privileges. Both requirements must be met continuously.
For OTs from other compact member states practicing in South Carolina under compact privileges, renewal obligations are governed by your home state. Contact the Board at Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov or visit otcompact.gov to verify current compact renewal procedures.
- NBCOT and CE are both required — independently. Unlike Maryland or Oregon, South Carolina does not allow NBCOT currency to substitute for CE. Both 16 CE hours and active NBCOT certification are required every biennial period.
- Renewal window is narrow. The 2027 renewal window opens January 13 and closes March 15 — just 2 months. The late renewal window adds one month (through April 15) but with a $50 penalty.
- Register with CE Broker before renewal opens. CE Broker is required for submitting CE proof. Create your free account well before January 2027 to ensure smooth renewal.
- Lapsed reinstatement is expensive. At $300 plus $100 per missed renewal cycle, reinstatement costs accumulate quickly. Contact the Board to confirm current reinstatement requirements. Keep NBCOT current and renew on time.
- Register with CE Broker before renewal opens. CE Broker is required for tracking CE records. Create your free account well before January 2027 to ensure smooth renewal.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- SC Regulations Chapter 94 — Occupational Therapists (includes CE requirements, Article 4)
- SC Board of OT — Continuing Education Chapter 94 (online reference)
- SC Code Title 40, Chapter 36 — Occupational Therapists
Related Pages
- South Carolina OT Initial Licensing Requirements
- North Carolina OT License Renewal
- Georgia OT License Renewal
- Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
When do South Carolina OT licenses expire?
South Carolina OT licenses expire on March 15 of odd-numbered years. The next expiration is March 15, 2027. The renewal window opens January 13, 2027. A late renewal period with a $50 fee runs March 16 through April 15, 2027. Source: SC Board of Occupational Therapy Renewal page
What is the renewal fee for a South Carolina OT license?
The biennial renewal fee is $100. A $50 late fee applies for renewals submitted March 16 through April 15 of the renewal year. After April 15, the license is lapsed and reinstatement fees of $300 plus $100 per missed cycle apply. Source: SC Board of OT Fee Schedule
How many CE hours are required for South Carolina OT renewal?
South Carolina requires 16 hours of continuing education per biennial CE period. For the 2027 renewal, the CE period is March 16, 2025 through March 15, 2027. CE hours are tracked through CE Broker. The Board does not pre-approve CE courses; licensees determine eligibility using Chapter 94 Article 4 guidelines. CPR, HIPAA, independent reading, and peer review do not qualify. Source: SC Board of OT Continuing Education page
Does South Carolina require active NBCOT certification for renewal?
Yes. The Board’s renewal page explicitly states that NBCOT certification must remain active and in good standing at all times as a condition of licensure in South Carolina. This is a separate, ongoing requirement from CE — NBCOT currency does not substitute for CE hours, and CE completion does not substitute for NBCOT certification. Both must be maintained throughout the biennial period. Source: SC Board of OT Renewal page
What is CE Broker and do I need it for South Carolina OT renewal?
CE Broker is the continuing education tracking system used by the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy. You must create a free CE Broker account and submit proof of CE completion through it at renewal. Register at cebroker.com/sc/account/basic/. For account issues, contact CE Broker support at (877) 434-6323 or support@cebroker.com, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Source: SC Board of OT Continuing Education page
Page History
- 2026-06-10 — Page created. Data sourced from SC Board of Occupational Therapy renewal page (llr.sc.gov/ot/OTREN.aspx), CE page, and Fee Schedule reviewed directly June 2026. Next renewal deadline March 15 2027 confirmed. CE period March 16 2025 – March 15 2027 confirmed. NBCOT certification ongoing requirement confirmed verbatim from renewal page. 2025 renewal cycle confirmed closed.