How to Search South Carolina Professional Licenses (Start Here)
Professional and occupational licenses in South Carolina are issued by state licensing boards — each profession has its own board with its own search tool. There is no single database of all licenses in South Carolina.
What this page covers: South Carolina professional license verification databases — medical, legal, real estate, contractor, financial, and other regulated professions. What it does not cover: Business entity filings (those are with the Secretary of State) or association memberships (those are private organizations).
Where to start: Identify the profession, then go to the specific licensing board for South Carolina. For attorneys, go to the state bar. For doctors, the medical board. For contractors, the contractor licensing authority. The databases below are organized by profession.
Common mistake: A professional license and a business registration are different. A license authorizes a person to practice a profession. A business registration authorizes a company to operate. They are filed with different agencies.
Central licensing portal
Medical board (MD)
Nursing board
Insurance licensing
Bar / attorney
Contractor licensing
Population
5,478,831
Households
2,122,600
Median Income
$67,804
Median Home Value
$230,400
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: South Carolina professional & occupational licenses URL verified against the official state publisher at llr.sc.gov on the review date. 4 primary .gov sources cited below.
South Carolina Professional & Occupational Licenses — Key Facts (2026)
Doctors, lawyers, contractors, nurses, real estate agents in South Carolina — who's licensed and how to verify in 2026.
State-only
License jurisdiction
Not federal
~22%
U.S. workforce licensed
Up from 5% in 1950
1,100+
Licensed occupations
NCSL national database
Free
Official verification
Never pay 3rd parties
Compacts
Cross-state reciprocity
Nursing/medical/PT
Active license
100%
Continuing-ed current
70%
No disciplinary actions
30%
No complaint history
20%
Criminal background
10%
Unit: % verified by 'active license' alone.
What Changed in 2026 — South Carolina Professional & Occupational Licenses
2026
South Carolina professional & occupational licenses portal active
The official South Carolina portal at llr.sc.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for professional & occupational licenses in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for professional & occupational licenses
The NCSL National Occupational Licensing Database at www.ncsl.org provides federal-level context that complements South Carolina state records.
2026
South Carolina access in 2026
For 2026, South Carolina continues to publish professional & occupational licenses information through state-authorized portals; check llr.sc.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE South Carolina's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.
The 4-Step South Carolina License Verification
1
Step 1 — Identify the profession
Each occupation has its own South Carolina board (medical, bar, contractor, real-estate, cosmetology, etc.).
2
Step 2 — Confirm the state
Licenses are state-issued. A South Carolina license is NOT automatically valid in other states (unless via compact).
3
Step 3 — Use the official board lookup
Every South Carolina board has a free verification tool. Never pay a third party for verification.
4
Step 4 — Check disciplinary history
Active license ≠ clean record. Always check the South Carolina board's disciplinary actions search.
Five Things People Get Wrong About South Carolina Professional & Occupational Licenses
❌ Myth: "There's a national license database."
✓ Truth: False. There is no federal occupational license registry. Each state licenses separately.
❌ Myth: "My South Carolina license works in all 50 states."
✓ Truth: False. Most licenses are state-only. Compacts (nursing, medical, PT) cover some — not all.
❌ Myth: "License status equals reputation."
✓ Truth: False. Active license only means fees paid and CEs current. Check disciplinary actions separately.
❌ Myth: "All licensed pros pass background checks."
✓ Truth: Partially false. Background checks vary by state and profession. Some South Carolina boards self-report only.
❌ Myth: "Expired = revoked."
✓ Truth: False. Expired means not renewed. Revoked means stripped for cause. Very different.
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- llr.sc.gov — Official South Carolina Professional & Occupational Licenses — State portal for South Carolina professional & occupational licenses
- NCSL National Occupational Licensing Database — All-state licensing database
- USA.gov — Licenses & Permits — Federal licensing portal
- DOL Occupational Licensing — Dept of Labor licensing resources
- FTC Licensing Reports — FTC licensing economic analysis
- Minneapolis Fed — Licensure Data — Workforce licensure trends
- CLEAR Licensing Dashboard — Licensure regulation dashboard
Related Licenses Resources
📍 Other South Carolina records:
- South Carolina Court Records →
- South Carolina Criminal Records →
- South Carolina Property Records →
- South Carolina Vital Records →
- South Carolina Voter Records →
- South Carolina Wants & Warrants →
- South Carolina Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 Licenses in other states:
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- Washington
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- West Virginia
- Wyoming
National: U.S. Licenses hub →
Related Public Records
More South Carolina records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Recorded docs
National view of this topic: All states: Licenses
Licenses Databases
55 official South Carolina licenses sources.
Licenses
SC | ASC gov
Official Free
Appraisal Foundation Grants · Resources · ASC Governance · ASC Operating Guidance · Frequently Asked Questions · Public Records · South Carolina · State Name · South Carolina · Appraiser State · South Carolina · Appraiser Date of Review · July 2025 · Appraiser Findings File ·
🌐 asc.gov
Athlete Agents - SC Consumer Affairs
Official Free
Uniform Athlete Agents Act (Section 59-102-10 et seq.) Initial Business/Organization Instructions & Application (PDF). "Want to Go Pro?" A Guide for Student-Athletes (PDF) - Under South Carolina law, Athlete Agents recruiting or soliciting a student-athlete must register with the South Carolina.
Lawyer Referral Service - South Carolina Bar
Official Free
LRS is a public service of the South Carolina Bar that provides referrals to individuals needing qualified, prescreened lawyers. The Lawyer Referral Service offers a simple, equitable, inexpensive and practical method of introducing people with legal problems to qualified attorneys.
South Carolina Department of Insurance - Small Employers
Official Free
Benchmark Insurance Company · Corporate Benefit Services · 10159 Wayzata Blvd. Minnetonka, MN 35305-1503 · 1-800-765-4224 · http://www.cbsainc.com · Blue Cross & Blue Shield of South Carolina · I-20 East At Alpine Road · Columbia, S. C. 29219 · 803-788-3860 or 1-800-288-2227 ·
South Carolina Department of Insurance - Agency
Official Free
In this regard, please contact the South Carolina Secretary of State's Office, Post Office Box 11350, Columbia, SC 29211. The telephone number is (803) 734-2158. When this process is completed and the agency has at least one licensed producer, the agency can then forward the following documents.
File a Complaint - SCLLR - South Carolina
Official Free
The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, through its Office of Investigations and Enforcement (OIE), investigates complaints involving licensed professionals to determine if the facts, as alleged, could be a possible violation of the state law regulating the profession or occupation. OIE also investigates allegations of unlicensed practice. While the boards can take disciplinary action involving licensees, it is important to note that they have no legal authority to award monetary restitution on your behalf.
Licensee Lookup Main Menu
Official Free
Occupational Therapy · Opticians · Optometry · Pharmacy · Physical Therapy · Podiatry · Professional Counselors · Psychology · Real Estate Appraisers · Real Estate Commission · Residential Builders · Social Worker · Soil Classifiers · Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology ·
Pharmacy
Official Free
South Carolina Board of Pharmacy Phone: (803) 896-4700 Fax: (803) 896-4596 PO Box 11927 Columbia, S.C.
Architect
Official Free
Note: Emeritus Architects are not permitted to work AT ALL in the field of architecture. This website is maintained by LLR staff and is updated nightly reflecting changes to our licensing and enforcement database. If you are a licensee who requires a license verification to another state board, please log into your online LLR account and select the verification option. If you are not a licensee, please email the board directly. Questions / Contact Information · South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners ·
Nursing
Official Free
The information on this page is a secure, primary source for license verification provided by South Carolina Department Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Contractors
Official Free
IF YOUR SEARCH RETURNS "0 Record(s)", YOU MAY WANT TO TRY SEARCHING UNDER THE RESIDENTIAL LICENSING BOARD. CLICK ABOVE ON "Main Menu" AND FROM THE DROPDOWN LIST SELECT "Residential Builders" TO PERFORM YOUR SEARCH.
SC Licensee Lookup - South Carolina
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Forestry · Funeral Board · Genetic Counselors · Geologist · Landscape Architectural · Long Term Health Care Administrators · LP Gas · Manufactured Housing · Massage Therapy · Medical Board · Nursing · Occupational Therapy · Opticians · Optometry ·
Massage Therapy - South Carolina
Official Free
South Carolina Massage/Bodywork Panel Phone: (803) 896-4588 Fax: (803) 896-4484 PO Box 11329 Columbia, S.C.
Geologist - South Carolina
Official Free
Phone: (803) 896-4575 Fax: (803) 896-4554 PO Box 11329 Columbia, S.C. 29211-1329 Contact.Geologists@llr.sc.gov · South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Counselors
Official Free
Board of Examiners for Licensure. Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists and Psycho-Educational Specialists Email · South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation.
Medical Board
Official Free
If you are a licensee who requires a license verification to another state board, please log into your online LLR account and select the verification option. If you are not a licensee, please email the board directly. South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners Phone: (803) 896-4500 Fax:.
Contractors - South Carolina - LLR
Official Free
South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board · Phone: (803) 896-4686 Fax: (803) 896-4814 PO Box 11329 Columbia, S.C. 29211-1329 · South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board Email ·
Psychology
Official Free
South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology Phone: (803) 896-4664 Fax: (803)896-4719 PO Box 11329 Columbia, S.C.
Veterinary
Official Free
Telephone: (803) 896-4598 Fax: (803) 896-4719 PO Box 11329 Columbia, S.C. 29211 Board Email South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Accountancy
Official Free
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT EMERITUS - A licensee who is retired and does not perform or offer to perform for compensation one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting or auditing skills, including issuance of reports on financial statements or of one or more kinds of management advisory, financial advisory, or consulting services or the preparation of tax returns or the furnishing of advice on tax matters. Firms with multiple locations will only register the headquarters.
Real Estate Commission
Official Free
Questions / Contact Information · This website is maintained by LLR staff and is updated nightly reflecting changes to our licensing and enforcement database. If you are a licensee who requires a license verification to another state board, please log into your online LLR account and select.
Podiatry
Official Free
South Carolina Board of Podiatry Examiners Phone: (803) 896-4500 Fax: (803) 896-4515 PO Box 11329 Columbia, S.C.
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology - South Carolina
Official Free
Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology · Phone: (803) 896-4655 Fax: (803) 896-4719 PO Box 11329 Columbia, S.C. 29211-1329 Board Email South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
SERFF Filing Access - South Carolina
Official Free
You are currently operating in the state of South Carolina. Welcome to SERFF Filing Access! In an effort to make public records more easily accessible to the public, we are pleased to provide you with an Internet-based solution for viewing public insurance company rate, rule and form filings from anywhere at any time.
License Verification
Official Free
A copy of the Board’s statutes and regulations can be obtained at http://www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/barber. This document provides detailed information regarding South Carolina’s boards and licensing qualifications. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
South Carolina LLR — Online License Verification
Official Free
Telephone: 803-896-4681 Fax:803-896-4719 PO Box 11329 Columbia, S.C. 29211 Board Email South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Register — cna365.examroom.ai
Official Free
Please complete the web form below to submit a ticket, and we will get back to you as soon as possible · Upload a file or drag and drop
SCSOS Notary Search Search
Official Free
Information on the Notary Public database reflects the information most recently filed with the Secretary of State’s Office. If your filing information has changed, you must file the appropriate form with our office to update the information. The Secretary of State has no authority to update.
Cemetery
Official Free
Phone: (803) 896-4670 Fax: (803) 896-4554 PO Box 11329 Columbia, S.C. 29211-1329 Telephone: (803)896-4571 South Carolina Perpetual Care Cemetery Board Email
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Official Free
Change of Address Request Check Your Application Status Licensee Lookup Online Renewals Online Verification Online Examinations Print License Card · Synergy Business Park; Kingstree Building 110 Centerview Dr. Columbia, S.C. 29210 (803) 896-4300 ? Contact US
Burglar Alarm, Fire Alarm & Fire Sprinklers
Official Free
Main Menu : Burglar/Fire Alarm And Fire Sprinklers. For more results, only type in the first few characters of your search. The information on this page is a secure, primary source for license verification provided by South Carolina Department Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Licensee Lookup Master Page - South Carolina - LLR
Official Free
Main Menu : Board of Pyrotechnics Safety · Note: All fields are not required for searching · Search Tip: For more results, only type in the first few characters of your search. Questions / Contact Information · This website is maintained by LLR staff and is updated nightly reflecting changes to our licensing and enforcement database.
Engineers and Land Surveyors
Official Free
Phone: (803) 896-4422 Fax: (803) 896-4427 PO Box 11597 Columbia, S.C. 29211-1597 E-mail: Contact.Engls@llr.sc.gov South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Engineers and Land Surveyors
Official Free
Phone: (803) 896-4422 Fax: (803) 896-4427 PO Box 11597 Columbia, S.C. 29211-1597 E-mail: Contact.Engls@llr.sc.gov South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Legal Terms of Use and Disclaimer of Liability - ARELLO
Official Free
Neither the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) nor the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) guarantees that the information found in this database is complete, accurate or reliable.
South Carolina Counties
46 South Carolina counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I verify a South Carolina professional license?▼
Most South Carolina professional and occupational licenses (medical, legal, contracting, real estate, cosmetology, etc.) can be verified through the Official South Carolina Professional & Occupational Licenses at llr.sc.gov. Look for the 'License Lookup' or 'Verify a Licensee' tool — searches are typically by name or license number and return active/inactive status.
How do I apply for a South Carolina business license?▼
South Carolina business licensing combines state, county, and city permits depending on activity. The Official South Carolina Professional & Occupational Licenses at llr.sc.gov is the primary state portal; local business-tax certificates are issued by the city or county where you operate. The federal usa.gov permits guide is a helpful starting overview.
Is a South Carolina license required to work in my profession?▼
That depends on the profession. South Carolina, like most states, licenses regulated occupations such as healthcare, legal, construction, real estate, cosmetology, security, and many trades. The Official South Carolina Professional & Occupational Licenses publishes the full list and exemption criteria at llr.sc.gov.
How do I report a complaint against a South Carolina licensee?▼
Complaints against licensed professionals in South Carolina are filed with the issuing board or division under the Official South Carolina Professional & Occupational Licenses. Most boards accept online complaint submissions at llr.sc.gov, plus mail-in forms. Each board reviews complaints under the standards in South Carolina's occupational code.
Does South Carolina recognize licenses from other states?▼
Many South Carolina boards offer license-by-reciprocity, license-by-endorsement, or expedited pathways for applicants already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. The Official South Carolina Professional & Occupational Licenses at llr.sc.gov publishes the reciprocity rules per profession; some require additional South Carolina-specific exams or jurisprudence tests.