How to Get Your South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License in 2026

## How to Become a Licensed Respiratory Therapist in South Carolina South Carolina licenses respiratory therapists through a dedicated RT section within the **South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners**, which administers the state's respiratory care practice regulations. The state's growing population — particularly in the Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville metro areas — and its aging coastal retirement communities drive steady demand for qualified respiratory therapists across all care settings. ### Step 1: Complete a CoARC-Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program South Carolina requires graduation from a **Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)**-accredited program. In-state options include programs at Midlands Technical College (Columbia), Greenville Technical College, Florence-Darlington Technical College, and Trident Technical College (Charleston). Both AAS and, at select institutions, BSRT pathways are available. Curriculum must include mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, pulmonary function testing, cardiopulmonary pharmacology, and intensive care management. Clinical placements at South Carolina's major health systems provide exposure to a broad patient population including a significant proportion of cardiopulmonary disease cases driven by the state's rural tobacco-belt heritage and high COPD prevalence. ### Step 2: Pass the NBRC Examinations South Carolina's licensure requires NBRC credentials: - **TMC (Therapist Multiple Choice) Examination** — 160 questions. High-cut score earns the **RRT**; low-cut score earns the **CRT**. - **CSE (Clinical Simulation Examination)** — 22 advanced scenario-based cases; required for full RRT designation. South Carolina requires the **RRT credential** for licensure through the Board of Medical Examiners. CRT holders must pass the CSE before applying. Pearson VUE test centers in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville serve South Carolina candidates. ### Step 3: Apply for Your South Carolina License After earning your RRT, apply to the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners: 1. Complete the respiratory care practitioner application through the Board's online licensing system. 2. Pay the licensure fee (approximately **$50–$75**; verify current fees on the Board's website). 3. Submit NBRC credential verification (arranged through the NBRC). 4. Provide official transcripts from your CoARC-accredited program. 5. Complete a SLED criminal background check as required by South Carolina law. 6. If licensed in another state, provide a letter of good standing from that board. Processing typically takes two to four weeks for complete applications. South Carolina does not participate in the RT Licensure Compact at this time. ### CRT vs. RRT: Which Do You Need in South Carolina? South Carolina requires the **RRT** for licensure — the CRT alone is insufficient. The Board's position reflects national standards and the expectation that all licensed RTs can manage the full scope of practice including critical care ventilator management. South Carolina's major employers — MUSC, Prisma Health, and Bon Secours — all expect RRT credentialing for clinical staff, making the RRT a practical requirement well beyond the state's legal minimum. The NBRC's advanced specialty credentials (ACCS, NPS, CPFT, RPFT) are not required for licensure but are sought by large South Carolina employers for subspecialty roles in pulmonary function, sleep medicine, and neonatal care. ### Continuing Education Requirements South Carolina RTs must complete **30 continuing education hours per two-year renewal cycle**. Accepted CE categories include: - AARC-approved educational activities (seminars, conferences, online modules) - NBRC specialty credential examinations - Accredited college coursework in respiratory therapy or related clinical fields - Employer-based in-service training meeting Board standards The South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care (SCSRC) is the state AARC chapter and organizes annual CE conferences and regional workshops. Retain CE documentation for audit purposes; the Board may request certificates at renewal. ### South Carolina Respiratory Therapist Salary Ranges South Carolina's RT compensation reflects the state's market growth and healthcare expansion: - **Entry-level RRT (0–2 years):** $54,000–$64,000/year - **Mid-career (3–7 years):** $62,000–$74,000/year - **Senior/Lead RT (8+ years):** $72,000–$86,000/year - **Charleston market premium:** 8–10% above statewide average - **Travel RT contracts in SC:** $1,800–$2,400/week Charleston commands the state's highest RT wages due to the concentration of MUSC and Roper St. Francis systems. Greenville has seen strong wage growth with Prisma Health's expansion; Columbia remains competitive. Rural South Carolina positions often include sign-on bonuses to attract candidates. ### Top Employers South Carolina's RT employment market is anchored by several strong health systems: - **MUSC Health (Medical University of South Carolina)** — Charleston-based academic medical center and the state's flagship teaching hospital. MUSC operates a level I trauma center, a nationally recognized heart and vascular center, and strong NICU/PICU programs. A premier destination for RTs seeking advanced clinical experience. - **Prisma Health** — The largest not-for-profit health system in South Carolina, with major hospitals in Greenville (Prisma Health Greenville Memorial), Columbia (Prisma Health Richland), and Tuomey (Sumter). Consistent large-volume RT employer with active new graduate hiring. - **Bon Secours (St. Francis)** — Greenville-based system with campuses in Greenville and Seneca; strong pulmonary and cardiac surgery programs. - **Roper St. Francis Healthcare** — Charleston-based system; strong in cardiac surgery and a major RT employer in the Lowcountry. - **Conway Medical Center / McLeod Health** — Key employers in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions; these coastal and rural-serving systems recruit actively with competitive packages. South Carolina's combination of coastal resort communities with high retired-population COPD burden, growing metro markets, and several nationally recognized academic medical centers makes it a strong and diversified RT employment state.