South Carolina Physical Therapist License Requirements 2026
- New PT graduates applying for their first South Carolina physical therapist license
- Out-of-state licensed PTs seeking to practice in South Carolina through endorsement or compact privilege
- Travel physical therapists evaluating South Carolina assignment requirements and PT Compact options
South Carolina Physical Therapist License — At a Glance
| License Required? | Yes — a Physical Therapist License is required to practice physical therapy in South Carolina |
| Credential Name | Physical Therapist License |
| Governing Board | South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) |
| Licensing Pathways | Licensure by Examination; Licensure by Endorsement; PT Compact Privilege; Reinstatement |
| Application Fee | $110 initial application fee (examination or endorsement); NPTE: $485 paid separately to FSBPT |
| Application Method | Online — SC LLR eService portal; credit card or electronic check |
| Processing Time | Not published by the Board |
| Background Check | Yes — state (SLED) and national (FBI) fingerprint background checks required; effective February 1, 2023; instructions sent after application received — do not submit fingerprints before receiving Board instructions |
| NPTE Required? | Yes |
| Jurisprudence Exam | No — South Carolina does not require a jurisprudence exam for initial licensure |
| PT Compact Member? | Yes — South Carolina is an active PT Compact member state |
| Governing Law | S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 45 (Physical Therapy Practice Act); SC Code Regs. Chapter 101 |
South Carolina requires all practicing physical therapists to hold a current Physical Therapist License issued by the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, which operates within the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). All initial applications are submitted online through the LLR eService portal. South Carolina does not require a jurisprudence examination for initial PT licensure — the NPTE is the only required examination for examination applicants.
The initial application fee is $110, with the $485 NPTE fee paid separately to FSBPT. Effective February 1, 2023, all applicants are required to complete both a state fingerprint background check through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and a national background check through the FBI. A key procedural note: fingerprint instructions are only sent after the application is received by the Board — applicants should not attempt to complete fingerprinting before receiving those instructions.
South Carolina is a PT Compact member state. New Board regulations took effect May 24, 2024 — applicants referencing older guidance should verify current requirements at llr.sc.gov/pt/.
What Makes South Carolina Different
South Carolina stands out for its CE structure at renewal, not for unusual initial licensure requirements. For applicants, the most noteworthy feature is the absence of a jurisprudence examination — South Carolina is among the states that rely solely on the NPTE for examination applicants, without adding a state-specific laws and rules test. This simplifies the application process compared to states like Missouri, Oregon, Nevada, and Wisconsin that require a separate jurisprudence exam.
The dual fingerprint background check requirement (both state SLED and FBI) effective since February 1, 2023, is an important timing consideration. The Board sends fingerprint instructions only after receiving the application — attempting to complete fingerprinting before that point is explicitly discouraged by the Board.
PT Compact and South Carolina
South Carolina is an active PT Compact member state. The Board maintains a dedicated PT Compact Privilege Verification page and prominently features Compact information on the Board homepage.
If South Carolina is your home state:
South Carolina-licensed PTs in good standing may purchase Compact Privileges to practice in other member states through the PT Compact Commission at ptcompact.org. Your South Carolina license serves as your home state license for Compact purposes and must remain active and in good standing to maintain Compact Privileges in other states.
If you are licensed elsewhere and want to practice in South Carolina:
You may apply for a South Carolina Compact Privilege through the PT Compact Commission rather than obtaining a full South Carolina license, provided your home state is a Compact member and your license is in good standing. Compact Privilege holders must comply with South Carolina law and scope of practice while practicing in the state. Verify your compact privilege status at the PT Compact Commission Verification page.
For travel PTs:
South Carolina’s active Compact membership makes it accessible to travel PTs from other member states without the full endorsement process. No jurisprudence exam is required for Compact Privilege holders. Verify current member state status at ptcompact.org/ptc-states.
South Carolina PT Licensing Requirements
Education
Applicants must have graduated from a physical therapy program approved by the Board. Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited program satisfies this requirement. Foreign-trained applicants should contact the Board directly for equivalency evaluation requirements.
NPTE
Examination applicants must pass the NPTE administered by FSBPT. The $485 NPTE fee is paid directly to FSBPT at fsbpt.org. NPTE scores must be sent directly from FSBPT to the SC Board. South Carolina does not require a separate state jurisprudence examination.
Criminal Background Check
Effective February 1, 2023, all applicants must complete both a state criminal records check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and a national criminal records check by the FBI, pursuant to S.C. Code §40-45-220 and §40-45-240. The fingerprint process is required — instructions for fingerprinting are sent to applicants after their applications are received by the Board. Do not attempt to complete fingerprinting before receiving instructions from the Board. The Board’s dedicated background check information page is at llr.sc.gov/pt/backgroundchecks.aspx.
Endorsement (Out-of-State Licensed PTs)
Out-of-state licensed PTs may apply through the Endorsement pathway. The $110 application fee applies. Applicants must provide verification of licensure from other states. Contact the Board or review the Applications & Forms page at llr.sc.gov/pt/pub.aspx for current endorsement documentation requirements.
Name Change Documentation
Applicants whose name has changed must provide documentation of all legal name changes — such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Names on transcripts, exam records, and application documents should match or be supported by documentation.
South Carolina PT License — Cost Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | $110 | SC LLR (online) |
| NPTE Registration (examination applicants) | $485 | FSBPT (fsbpt.org) |
| Total — Examination Pathway | $595 | |
| Endorsement Pathway (no NPTE fee) | $110 | SC LLR (online) |
How to Apply for a South Carolina PT License
- Create an account in the SC LLR eService portal at eservice.llr.sc.gov
- Complete the online application and pay the $110 application fee by credit card or electronic check
- After receiving fingerprint instructions from the Board, complete the state (SLED) and national (FBI) fingerprint background checks — do not submit fingerprints before receiving these instructions
- If applying by examination: register for the NPTE at fsbpt.org and pay the $485 fee directly to FSBPT; designate South Carolina as a score recipient
- If applying by endorsement: request license verification from each jurisdiction where a PT license has been held, sent directly to the SC Board
- Submit legal name change documentation if your name has changed since any credential was issued
- Monitor your application status through the LLR eService portal
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 45 — Physical Therapy Practice Act
- SC Code Regs. Chapter 101 — Physical Therapy Regulations
- SC Board of Physical Therapy — Fee Schedule
- SC Board of Physical Therapy — Criminal Background Check Requirements
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Carolina require a jurisprudence exam for PT licensure?
No. South Carolina does not require a jurisprudence examination for initial PT licensure by examination, endorsement, or compact privilege. The NPTE is the only required examination for examination applicants. This distinguishes South Carolina from states like Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin that require a separate state laws and rules exam. Source: SC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners application information; S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 45.
How much does a South Carolina PT license cost?
The initial application fee is $110, paid online through the SC LLR eService portal. Examination applicants also pay $485 to FSBPT for the NPTE, for a total minimum of $595. Endorsement applicants pay only the $110 application fee. All fees are published on the Board’s fee schedule at llr.sc.gov/pt/fees.aspx. Source: SC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Fee Schedule.
Does South Carolina require fingerprinting for PT licensure?
Yes. Effective February 1, 2023, all PT applicants must complete both a state fingerprint background check through SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) and a national background check through the FBI. Fingerprint instructions are sent by the Board after the application is received — do not submit fingerprints before receiving these instructions. The fingerprint process is required under S.C. Code §40-45-220 and §40-45-240. Source: SC Board of Physical Therapy Criminal Background Check page; llr.sc.gov/pt/backgroundchecks.aspx.
Is South Carolina a PT Compact member state?
Yes. South Carolina is an active PT Compact member state. Out-of-state PTs licensed in other Compact member states can apply for a South Carolina Compact Privilege through the PT Compact Commission at ptcompact.org without obtaining a full South Carolina license. No jurisprudence exam is required for South Carolina Compact Privilege applicants. Source: SC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; PT Compact Commission.
Can a travel physical therapist work in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina is a PT Compact member state, enabling travel PTs licensed in other Compact member states to practice in South Carolina through a compact privilege without a full South Carolina license. No jurisprudence exam is required. Apply through the PT Compact Commission at ptcompact.org. Compact Privilege holders must comply with South Carolina law and scope of practice while practicing in the state. Source: SC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; PT Compact Commission.
How long does it take to get a South Carolina PT license?
The South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners does not publish an official processing time estimate. Processing time depends on application completeness, fingerprint background check results from SLED and FBI, and NPTE score receipt. Contact the Board at (803) 896-4655 or Contact.PT@llr.sc.gov for current estimates. Source: SC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
- Do not submit fingerprints until the Board sends instructions after receiving your application — submitting early will not work and may cause delays.
- South Carolina does not require a jurisprudence exam — one fewer step compared to many states.
- New regulations took effect May 24, 2024. Review current Board materials at llr.sc.gov/pt/ before applying if you have older reference materials.
- Compact Privilege applicants apply through ptcompact.org, not through the SC LLR portal.
- The Board’s fee schedule at llr.sc.gov/pt/fees.aspx lists all current fees in one place — always verify here before applying.
- Page created. Data based on SC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners official sources verified June 2026. New regulations effective May 24, 2024. Fingerprint CBC requirement effective February 1, 2023.