Psychology in South Carolina: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in SC
Learn how to become a psychologist in South Carolina and explore career opportunities the state can offer psychology professionals.
Psychologists are a critical component of South Carolina’s mental health care system. More than 700,000 adults in the state have a mental health condition — and 220,000 of these did not receive needed medical care, according to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Given such staggering numbers, it likely comes as no surprise that there’s a significant demand for psychologists in the Palmetto State. Discover the process and requirements for South Carolina psychology licensure, and review information about psychology salaries and career outlook within the state.
Psychologist Salaries in South Carolina
South Carolina’s psychologist salaries vary considerably across the industry. While the state’s clinical and counseling psychologists earn some of the lowest wages in the U.S., all other psychologists earn some of the highest wages in the country.
| Job Title | Lowest 10% | Average Annual Salary | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $26,970 | $64,990 | $129,210 |
| School psychologists | $54,230 | $76,620 | $105,600 |
| Psychologists, all other | $51,330 | $116,200 | $154,190 |
Psychologist Licensing in South Carolina
The South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology regulates psychologist licensing in the state. Obtaining a psychologist license in South Carolina requires a doctorate, passing scores on the national psychology exam and an oral exam, and at least 3,000 supervised practice hours.
Candidates must also submit two separate applications: preliminary and formal. While South Carolina has no reciprocity agreements in place with other states, out-of-state psychologists can apply for licensure verification if they can provide evidence of comparable education and postdoctoral supervision.
License Requirements for Psychologists in South Carolina
To obtain psychologist licensing in South Carolina, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Graduate from a doctoral psychology program accredited by the American Psychological Association or a comparable organization.
- Provide evidence of 3,000 hours (two years) of supervised experience, half of which must be completed after the doctoral program.
- Pay the $600 Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology application fee (and $91.88 test appointment fee) and receive a passing score.
- Submit a preliminary application to the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology, along with a curriculum vitae, school transcripts, a fingerprint criminal background check, and a $500 fee.
- After the board approves the preliminary application, submit the formal application which follows, along with a supervision form and three professional reference forms.
- After submitting all applications, candidates must pass a board member-conducted oral examination.
Demand for Psychology in South Carolina
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, more than one-third of Americans live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). In South Carolina, the situation is much worse, with only two of the state’s 46 counties experiencing no shortages.
South Carolina has a workforce of just 700 clinical and counseling psychologists, as per the BLS, approximately 12.96 psychologists per 100,000 people. As a result, the BLS projects a 22.8% growth for clinical and counseling psychologists from 2022-23.
While the state’s mean annual wage for psychologists is one of the lowest in the country at $64,990, there are state initiatives in place to improve pay while addressing the need for mental health care. For example, the South Carolina Rural Behavioral Health Professional Incentive Program awards up to $15,000 per year for behavioral health professionals who practice in rural regions.
