Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · South Carolina · regulated by SC Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists (LLR) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | 1500 hours of post-master's clinical experience and post-master's clinical supervision in marriage and family therapy over no fewer than two (2) years |
| Direct client contact | 1,380 documented direct client contact hours |
| Supervision | 120 hours; ≥60 individual/triadic, remaining 60 individual/triadic or group |
| Minimum time | 2 years |
| Time limit | Associate license is a two-year license; extension on application (no cap found) |
| Exams | AMFTRB National Marital and Family Therapy exam (passed before associate license) |
Supervision
- How much: 120 hours; ≥60 individual/triadic, remaining 60 individual/triadic or group
- Group supervision: Group = ≤6 supervisees with an approved supervisor for ≥2 hours; ≤60 of the 120 hours may be group
- Who may supervise: Licensed MFT Supervisor or other Board-approved qualified licensed mental health practitioner
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted (post-master's)
- Paperwork: Supervision plan submitted to the Board; hours documented on Board-approved forms
Can you be supervised remotely in South Carolina?
Yes by video, but the supervisor needs a state-specific supervisor credential and the board must approve the arrangement first. What shapes this: state-only supervisor credential, prior board approval.
- Video supervision: Regulation defines supervision as direct contact that "may be conducted either in person or via a HIPAA-compliant technological medium" (Reg. 36-01(1)). 120 h: ≥60 individual/triadic (1-2 supervisees, ≥1 h), rest may be group (≤6 supervisees, ≥2 h).
- Supervisor licensed in South Carolina? required
- Supervisor credential: SC Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor (LMFT-S): current SC MFT license + doctorate in MFT or 5 yrs continuous clinical experience, 36 h supervision-of-supervision, 3 graduate semester hours in supervision; alternatively a Board-approved "qualified licensed mental health practitioner" (licensed supervisor-level LPC/LMFT/LAC, psychologist or MD) approved before supervision begins.
- Supervisee cap: No per-supervisor cap found; group ≤6 supervisees; individual/triadic = 1-2 supervisees
- Board approval first: Supervision plan must be submitted to and received (board package: approved) by the Board before the associate provides any services; the supervisor (LPCS/LMFT-S or QLMHP) must be approved by the Board before supervision begins; a new supervisor requires a new plan approved before continuing.
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
Reg. 36-07 and 36-09 amended eff 05/23/2025 (SCSR 49-5)
Where the rules are unclear
South Carolina’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Does audio-only supervision qualify as a "HIPAA-compliant technological medium"?
- May an SC associate physically located outside South Carolina treat SC clients under an SC supervision plan?
In the board’s own words
“one thousand five hundred (1500) hours of post-master's clinical experience and post-master's clinical supervision in marriage and family therapy” — S.C. Code Regs. 36-08(3)✓ matched in the source
“At least sixty (60) of the supervision hours must be individual/triadic, and the remaining sixty (60) hours can be individual/triadic or group.” — S.C. Code Regs. 36-08(3)✓ matched in the source
“performed over a period of no fewer than two (2) years” — S.C. Code Regs. 36-08(3)✓ matched in the source
“An associate who has not completed the requirements for licensure within two years may apply to the board for an extension.” — S.C. Code § 40-75-240✓ matched in the source
“Supervision may be conducted either in person or via a HIPAA-compliant technological medium.” — S.C. Code Regs. 36-01(1)✓ matched in the source
“hold a current, active, and unrestricted South Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy License” — S.C. Code Regs. 36-09(2)✓ matched in the source
“a person licensed as a Professional Counselor Supervisor, Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, Addiction Counselor Supervisor, Psychologist, or Medical Doctor, and approved by the Board” — S.C. Code Regs. 36-01(12)✓ matched in the source
“means a regularly scheduled meeting of not more than six (6) supervisees, and an approved supervisor” — S.C. Code Regs. 36-01(2)✓ matched in the source
“an associate cannot begin providing marriage and family therapy services until a completed supervision plan is submitted to and received by the Board” — S.C. Code Regs. 36-07(5)✓ matched in the source
“approved by the Board prior to beginning supervision” — S.C. Code Regs. 36-08(3)✓ matched in the source
“The practice of professional counseling occurs in the state where the client is located at the time of the counseling services.” — S.C. Code § 40-75-910(A)✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in South Carolina
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LISW-CP (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All South Carolina licenses · every state
Sources
- S.C. Code Regs. ch. 36, §§ 36-01, 36-07, 36-08(3), 36-09 (Chapter 36 PDF, pp. 1-5)
- S.C. Code § 40-75-240
- LLR, Marriage and Family Therapist page
Checked against SC Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists (LLR)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.