South Carolina reciprocity varies sharply by credential: protective orders from other states are enforced automatically, healthcare professionals in interstate compacts can practice without a new license, handgun carry no longer requires any permit at all, and driver’s licenses transfer without testing, but attorneys and most out-of-state real estate agents get no shortcut and teachers get only a conditional one.
Firearms
Since March 7, 2024, South Carolina has allowed permitless carry under the Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act. Anyone at least 18 years old who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law may carry a handgun openly or concealed without a permit, and this applies to residents and visitors alike.1South Carolina Legislature. 2023-2024 Bill 3594 – Constitutional Carry For most out-of-state travelers, that ends the reciprocity question at the state line.
The older reciprocity framework still exists for permit holders who need it. South Carolina recognizes concealed weapon permits from states whose issuing process requires a criminal background check and a firearm training and safety course, and the permit holder must be at least 21.2South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Bill H.4314 (2019-2020 Session) – National Concealed Weapons Permit Reciprocity Act SLED maintains the current list of reciprocal states.3South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Concealed Weapons Permit Permitless carry does not override location-based restrictions such as schools, courthouses, government buildings, or private property posted with a “No Concealable Weapons Allowed” sign.4South Carolina Legislature. SC Code Title 23 Chapter 31
Driver’s License
Visitors can drive on a valid out-of-state license. New residents have 45 days after moving to apply for a South Carolina license. If your out-of-state license is valid and unexpired and was issued by another U.S. state or the District of Columbia, you can transfer it without taking a knowledge or road test.5SCDMV. Moving to SC – License
Two situations knock you out of the direct transfer path. A license expired for nine months or more means passing both the knowledge and road skills exams. Drivers from certain foreign countries may not be eligible for direct transfer at all and must complete the full licensing process.
At the SCDMV office, bring proof of identity, U.S. citizenship, and date of birth (a birth certificate or valid passport), your Social Security number, and proof of your South Carolina address. An eight-year license costs $25. Commercial driver’s license holders face additional federal and state requirements, including medical certification and background checks.
Attorneys
South Carolina does not let out-of-state lawyers simply transfer a bar license. The South Carolina Supreme Court’s Office of Bar Admissions handles every path in, and the Court has final authority over each application.
Admission Without Examination
Under the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, an experienced attorney may be admitted without sitting for the bar exam. Qualifying generally requires having actively practiced law for a sustained period in a jurisdiction with comparable admission standards, plus passing a background investigation by the South Carolina Board of Law Examiners.6University of South Carolina. SARA Statement Attorneys admitted this way must also complete the South Carolina Law Course, an online program covering state-specific principles like civil procedure and professional responsibility. The application carries a non-refundable fee.
Pro Hac Vice
If you only need to handle a single case in South Carolina, Rule 404 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules is the standard route. An attorney admitted to the highest court of another state may appear in a specific case, provided a South Carolina-licensed attorney is associated as attorney of record. Each application costs $100 and must be filed before the visiting attorney makes any appearance.7The South Carolina Judicial Branch. The Supreme Court of South Carolina Pro hac vice is meant for occasional appearances, and visiting attorneys remain subject to discipline by South Carolina courts.
Real Estate
The South Carolina Real Estate Commission has formal reciprocity agreements with only two states: Georgia and North Carolina. Everyone else applies through the standard process.8South Carolina Real Estate Commission. Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia and North Carolina
A Georgia licensee with an active license can obtain a South Carolina license without additional education or exams. North Carolina licensees must pass the state-specific portion of the South Carolina exam, and North Carolina provisional brokers may need to show proof of 90 post-licensing hours from North Carolina or 90 pre-licensing hours from South Carolina.
Every Other State
A nonresident who holds an active real estate license in any other state, or whose license expired no more than six months ago, only has to pass the state-specific portion of the exam rather than both the national and state portions. Pre-licensing coursework is still required for most applicants, and every applicant undergoes a criminal background check.
Teachers
South Carolina participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which is a framework for recognizing teaching credentials across states rather than a guarantee of automatic certification.9South Carolina Department of Education. Certification Out-of-state educators apply through the South Carolina Department of Education by submitting official transcripts, proof of current certification, and verification of teaching experience.10South Carolina Department of Education. Application Checklist for Out of State Certificate Holders If your previous state did not require equivalent testing, you may need to pass the Praxis Subject Assessments in your teaching area. Teachers who did not complete a preparation program at an accredited institution could face additional requirements.
One limit is worth flagging before you apply: South Carolina does not accept temporary, lateral entry, or alternative certificates through the reciprocity pathway. Holders of those credentials will likely need to meet the full certification requirements instead.
Healthcare Compacts
South Carolina belongs to several interstate compacts that come closer to true reciprocity than any other professional licensing arrangement in the state.
Nurses
Under the Nurse Licensure Compact, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses with a multistate license from any compact member state may practice in South Carolina without a separate South Carolina license. The home state license covers practice in all compact states as long as the nurse maintains active licensure at home.11South Carolina Board of Nursing. South Carolina Board of Nursing – SCLLR12NCSBN. Licensure Compacts
Psychologists
South Carolina has enacted PSYPACT, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, which lets licensed psychologists from other compact states provide telepsychological services to clients in South Carolina and conduct temporary in-person practice without a separate South Carolina license. Practitioners must hold a valid home-state license and meet the compact’s standard qualifications.13South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 40-55-310 – Purpose
Physical Therapists
The Physical Therapy Compact grants physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in a member state a compact privilege to practice in South Carolina, again without a full state license, so long as their home-state license stays active.14South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy. South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy – SCLLR
Protective Orders
A domestic violence protective order issued by another state or tribal court is enforceable in South Carolina automatically. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2265, any such order gets full faith and credit as long as the issuing court had jurisdiction over the parties and gave the respondent reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard.15Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 2265 – Full Faith and Credit Given to Protection Orders
You do not have to register or file the order in South Carolina for it to be enforceable. Federal law says a valid order keeps full faith and credit regardless of registration, and South Carolina law enforcement must enforce it the same as an in-state order. Carrying a certified copy still makes on-the-spot verification easier if officers need to check it.