How to Get Your South Carolina Occupational Therapist License (2026 Guide)
This page covers initial licensure requirements for occupational therapists in South Carolina. Data is based on direct review of the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy website, the Board’s Application by Exam and Endorsement Instruction PDFs (Rev. 5/2026), and the Board’s fee schedule — 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 South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy.
- New OT graduates applying for initial South Carolina licensure by examination
- Out-of-state OTs applying for South Carolina licensure by endorsement
- Travel OTs evaluating South Carolina’s OT Compact membership and compact privilege availability
South Carolina OT License — At a Glance
| License Required | Yes — required before practicing occupational therapy in South Carolina |
| Credential Name | Occupational Therapist (OT) |
| Governing Board | South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy; SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) |
| Licensing Pathways | Licensure by examination; Licensure by endorsement; Temporary license |
| Application Fee | $135 (examination and endorsement); $10 temporary license; all fees nonrefundable |
| Application Method | Online via LLR eService portal; paper applications also available |
| Processing Time | Not published by Board — contact Board for current estimates |
| Criminal History | Criminal history disclosure required; Written Explanation of YES Answer Form required if applicable |
| NBCOT Required | Yes — NBCOT score report (within 6 months of exam) or NBCOT Certification verification (more than 6 months after exam); both submitted directly to Board from NBCOT |
| State Jurisprudence Exam | Yes — SC OT Jurisprudence Online Exam; 70% passing score; access emailed after all documents received |
| OT Compact | OT Compact member — verify current compact privilege status at otcompact.gov |
| Payment Methods | Check; money order; online payment via LLR eService; returned funds subject to up to $30 fee |
| Governing Statute / Rules | SC Code Title 40, Chapter 36; SC Regulations Chapter 94 |
South Carolina requires a license from the Board of Occupational Therapy, administered through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), before any individual may practice occupational therapy in the state. Licensing is governed by South Carolina Code Title 40, Chapter 36 and South Carolina Regulations Chapter 94. Applications are submitted online through the LLR eService portal.
South Carolina requires a state jurisprudence examination in addition to the NBCOT exam — a requirement that both Perplexity sources missed. The South Carolina OT Jurisprudence Online Exam tests knowledge of the SC Occupational Therapy Practice Act and Regulations, requires a 70% passing score, and must be completed before a license can be issued. Access credentials are emailed to applicants after all required documents are received by the Board.
Additionally, all applicants must submit a Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form, a 2×2 passport photo taken within the last 6 months, a copy of a government-issued photo ID, and a copy of their Social Security card. South Carolina’s application instruction PDFs were revised May 2026, so these requirements reflect the current standards.
South Carolina OT Licensing Pathways
Licensure by Examination: For new graduates who have passed the NBCOT exam. Applicants submit the application and $135 fee online, along with all required identity and lawful presence documents. NBCOT must send verification directly to the Board — if it has been within 6 months since the applicant passed the NBCOT exam, request the score report; if more than 6 months have passed, request verification of NBCOT Certification. After all documents are received, the Board emails exam access credentials for the online Jurisprudence Exam (70% passing required).
Licensure by Endorsement: For applicants who hold a current OT license in another state. The same $135 fee and documentation requirements apply. Additionally, official license verification(s) must be emailed to Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov or mailed directly from the issuing state board. NBCOT verification is also required (score report or certification verification, depending on timing). The Jurisprudence Exam is required for endorsement applicants as well.
Temporary License: Available for specific circumstances. The temporary license fee is $10 per license. Contact the Board at (803) 896-4683 or Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov for current temporary license eligibility and requirements.
South Carolina OT Jurisprudence Exam
All applicants for a South Carolina OT license — both by examination and by endorsement — must pass the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Jurisprudence Online Exam as a condition of licensure. Key details per the Board’s application instruction PDFs (Rev. 5/2026):
- Format: Online exam
- Passing score: 70%
- Content: SC Occupational Therapy Practice Act and Regulations (SC Code Title 40, Chapter 36 and Chapter 94)
- Access: User ID emailed by the Board upon receipt of all required application documents; applicant creates a password using the User ID
Required Application Documents
Per the Board’s Application Instruction PDFs (Rev. 5/2026), all applicants must submit the following with their online application:
- Applicable non-refundable application fee ($135)
- Copy of a valid Driver’s License, State-Issued ID, Passport, or Military ID
- Copy of your Social Security card
- 2×2 Passport Photo taken within the last 6 months
- Notarized Affidavit Form
- Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form
- Copy of legal name change documentation, if applicable (marriage license or divorce decree)
- Written Explanation of YES Answer Form, if applicable (criminal history)
The following must be submitted directly to the Board from the issuing agency:
- NBCOT score report or NBCOT Certification verification (emailed to Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov)
- Official license verification from every state where currently or previously licensed (endorsement applicants; emailed to Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov or mailed directly from each state board)
OT Compact and South Carolina
South Carolina is an OT Compact member state. The Board’s website links directly to otcompact.gov in its Quick Links section. The compact allows eligible OTs holding an unencumbered home state license to apply for compact privileges to practice in other member states through the OT Compact Commission’s system.
Compact privilege eligibility and procedures are subject to OT Compact Commission requirements. Verify current compact privilege availability directly with the Board at Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov or at otcompact.gov.
- Jurisprudence exam required — and often missed. South Carolina requires a state jurisprudence exam with a 70% passing score for all pathways. This is not listed prominently on the Board’s homepage — it is in the application instruction PDFs. Plan for this step and do not submit your application without being prepared to complete the exam.
- Passport photo and lawful presence documents required. Unlike many states, South Carolina requires a 2×2 passport photo (taken within 6 months) and a Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form as part of every application.
- NBCOT timing matters. If you passed NBCOT within the last 6 months, request a score report. If more than 6 months have passed, request a Certification verification. Both are ordered through NBCOT and sent directly to the Board.
- Endorsement: verify from every prior state. License verifications must come from every state where you have been licensed, sent directly to the Board — not copies provided by you.
- Processing time not published. Contact the Board at (803) 896-4683 or Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov for current processing estimates before making employment commitments.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- SC Code Title 40, Chapter 36 — Occupational Therapists
- SC Regulations Chapter 94 — Occupational Therapists (PDF)
Related Pages
- South Carolina OT License Renewal
- North Carolina Occupational Therapist Licensing Requirements
- Georgia Occupational Therapist Licensing Requirements
- Occupational Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a state license required to practice occupational therapy in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina Code §40-36-30 prohibits practicing as an occupational therapist without holding an active South Carolina license issued by the Board of Occupational Therapy. Source: SC Code Title 40, Chapter 36
What is the application fee for a South Carolina OT license?
The initial application fee is $135 for both the examination and endorsement pathways. A temporary license costs $10. All fees are non-refundable. Returned funds are subject to up to a $30 fee. Source: SC Board of Occupational Therapy Fee Schedule
Does South Carolina require a jurisprudence exam for OT licensure?
Yes. All applicants — by examination and by endorsement — must pass the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Jurisprudence Online Exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam tests knowledge of the SC OT Practice Act and Regulations. Access credentials are emailed by the Board after all required documents are received. Source: SC Board OT Application Instructions (Rev. 5/2026)
How does licensure by endorsement work in South Carolina?
Out-of-state OTs apply by endorsement using the same $135 application fee and documentation requirements as examination applicants. Additional requirements include official license verification(s) sent directly from every state where the applicant has been licensed. NBCOT verification is required. The Jurisprudence Exam is required for endorsement applicants as well. Source: SC Board OT Endorsement Instructions (Rev. 5/2026)
Is South Carolina a member of the OT Compact?
Yes. South Carolina is an OT Compact member state. The Board’s website links to otcompact.gov in its Quick Links section. Compact privileges allow eligible OTs to apply for authorization to practice in other compact member states. Verify current compact privilege availability and procedures at otcompact.gov or with the Board at Contact.OT@llr.sc.gov. Source: SC Board of Occupational Therapy — Quick Links
Page History
- 2026-06-10 — Page created. Data sourced from SC Board of Occupational Therapy website (llr.sc.gov/ot/), Board Application Instruction PDFs (Rev. 5/2026), and Board Fee Schedule reviewed directly June 2026. Jurisprudence exam (70% passing score) confirmed from application instruction PDFs. Both Perplexity sources incorrectly stated no jurisprudence exam requirement.