How to Get an Occupational Therapist License in South Carolina (2026)

South Carolina is an OT Compact member state, giving eligible occupational therapists the fastest path to practice privileges — typically 1–3 days via compact.aota.org instead of 6–12 weeks for full endorsement.

South Carolina OT license at a glance

• Issuing board: South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy
• OT Compact member: Yes
• Application fee: ~$100
• Processing time (compact): 1–3 business days
• Processing time (endorsement): 6–10 weeks
• NBCOT required: Yes
• Jurisprudence exam: Not required
• CEU requirement (renewal): 30 hours per 2-year cycle

OT Compact vs. full endorsement in South Carolina

Compact practice privileges are issued in 1–3 days and allow you to work in South Carolina without a separate state license, as long as your home-state license remains active and in good standing. If South Carolina will be your primary state of practice, convert to a full SC license through the standard endorsement process.

South Carolina OT compensation 2026

Where OT demand is highest in South Carolina

• Columbia: Prisma Health, MUSC Health Columbia, Lexington Medical Center
• Charleston: MUSC Health, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Bon Secours St. Francis
• Greenville / Spartanburg: Prisma Health Upstate, AnMed Health, Spartanburg Regional
• Myrtle Beach: Grand Strand Medical Center, Conway Medical Center

Bottom line

South Carolina OT Compact membership makes cross-state access easy for traveling OTs. Prisma Health and MUSC anchor both major metro markets. The $100 fee and growing coastal population in Myrtle Beach and Charleston keep OT demand strong year-round.