(A) It is unlawful for a person to practice as a professional counselor, a marriage and family therapist, or an addiction counselor in this State without being licensed in accordance with this article. A professional counselor associate may practice only under the direct supervision of a licensed professional counselor supervisor. A marriage and family therapy associate may practice only under the direct supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist supervisor, as approved by the board. An addiction counselor associate only may work under a licensed addiction counselor supervisor or other approved board-licensed clinician as provided in regulation.

(B) A person is guilty of practicing without a license if the person represents himself or herself to be a marriage and family therapist by the use of any title or description of services which incorporates the words "licensed marital and family therapist", "licensed marriage and family therapist", "marital and family therapist", "marriage and family therapist", or "marriage and family counselor" to describe a function or service performed without being licensed by the board. However, members of other professions licensed in this State including, but not limited to, attorneys, physicians, psychologists, registered nurses, or social workers performing duties consistent with the laws of this State, their training, and any code of ethics of their profession are not considered to be practicing without a license if they do not represent themselves as being licensed pursuant to this article.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 40-75-30

  • Addiction counselor: means a professional who practices individual, family, and group addiction counseling. See South Carolina Code 40-75-20
  • Associate: means an individual who has met the requirements for licensure as a professional counselor associate, marriage and family therapy associate, or addiction counselor associate under the provisions of this article and has been issued a license by the board. See South Carolina Code 40-75-20
  • Board: means the South Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addictions Counselors, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. See South Carolina Code 40-75-20
  • License: means an authorization to practice counseling, marriage and family therapy, issued by the board pursuant to this article and includes an authorization to practice as a professional counselor associate, marriage and family therapy associate, or addiction counselor associate. See South Carolina Code 40-75-20
  • Licensed professional counselor: means an individual who practices professional counseling. See South Carolina Code 40-75-20
  • Marriage and family therapy: means the assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. See South Carolina Code 40-75-20
  • Person: means an individual, organization, or corporation, except that only individuals can be licensed under this article. See South Carolina Code 40-75-20
  • Supervision: means the supervision of clinical services in accordance with standards established by the board under the supervision of an approved supervisor. See South Carolina Code 40-75-20

(C) A person is guilty of practicing without a license if the person represents himself or herself to be a professional counselor by the use of any title or description of services which incorporates the words "licensed professional counselor", "professional counselor", or "licensed counselor" without being licensed by the board. However, members of other professions licensed in this State including, but not limited to, attorneys, physicians, psychologists, registered nurses, or social workers performing duties consistent with the laws of this State, their training, and any code of ethics of their professions are not considered to be practicing without a license if they do not represent themselves as being licensed pursuant to this article.

(D) A person is guilty of practicing without a license if the person represents himself to be an addiction counselor by the use of any title or description of services which incorporates the words "licensed addiction counselor" or "addiction counselor" without being licensed by the board. However, members of other professions licensed in this State including, but not limited to, attorneys, physicians, psychologists, registered nurses, or social workers performing duties consistent with the laws of this State, their training, and any code of ethics of their professions are not considered to be practicing without a license if they do not represent themselves as being licensed pursuant to this article.

(E) A licensed professional counselor, a licensed marital and family therapist, or a licensed addiction counselor may not use the title of "psycho-therapist".