Credentialing by state / South Carolina
Therapist Credentialing in South Carolina
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
South Carolina belongs to PSYPACT and the Counseling Compact, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Healthy Connections Medicaid, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since July 17, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Member, privileges not yet issued |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Enacted with changes, membership unsettled |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | Palmetto GBA, jurisdiction JM |
| Medicaid | Healthy Connections Medicaid, 5 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | None found in state law |
Licensure Compacts in South Carolina
PSYPACT for psychologists
South Carolina's PSYPACT law took effect on July 17, 2023. A psychologist whose home state is South Carolina can apply through ASPPB for the E.Passport, which supports the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), and for the IPC, which supports temporary in-person practice (TAP) in other PSYPACT states. Both depend on holding an unrestricted South Carolina license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Georgia and North Carolina also participate, so a border practice can reach every adjoining state under APIT once the E.Passport is issued.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
South Carolina has passed the Counseling Compact, but as of October 2026 it is not one of the 10 states issuing privileges, so membership does not yet let a counselor practice across the South Carolina line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live. Next door, Georgia is already live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
South Carolina passed a version of the Social Work Licensure Compact, but the Commission's FAQ says South Carolina's law has material changes from the model language and may need amending before the state counts as a member. Either way, no multistate social work license is being issued yet anywhere, so South Carolina LCSWs work under state licenses for now.
Compacts Grant a License Route, Not a Network Seat
A compact privilege is permission to practice; it is not enrollment. A South Carolina therapist who adds clients in another state through a compact still needs that state's Medicaid enrollment, a practice location the plans accept there, and a separate application to each commercial plan or behavioral health network in that state. CAQH (DataSpring) carries the extra license or privilege, but every payer decides on its own timeline.
Medicare for South Carolina LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a South Carolina LPC qualifies as a mental health counselor when the license and degree meet the federal definition. Enrollment is the CMS-855I in PECOS, reviewed for South Carolina by Palmetto GBA; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for South Carolina practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Healthy Connections Medicaid and Its Plans
Healthy Connections Medicaid enrollment is filed with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services through the SCDHHS provider enrollment portal. Most members are in managed care, and each plan credentials therapists as its own application once the state enrollment is active. The largest by 2024 enrollment:
- First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina: 323,781 members, owned by Independence Health Group
- Absolute Total Care: 167,573 members, owned by Centene
- Healthy Blue by Blue Choice: 150,728 members
See all 5 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
Neighboring States
- Georgia: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact live; Social Work Compact enacted
- North Carolina: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
The full checklist, the carve-out networks and timelines are in our therapist credentialing guide; Medicare, Medicaid and commercial basics for every clinician type are on credentialing in South Carolina.
Questions South Carolina Therapists Ask
Can a South Carolina LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. South Carolina has passed the Counseling Compact but is not issuing privileges as of October 2026, so a license in the client's state is still required. Either way, each payer in that state needs its own enrollment.
Is South Carolina a PSYPACT state?
Yes. South Carolina's PSYPACT law took effect on July 17, 2023. South Carolina psychologists can practice telepsychology into other participating states under APIT once ASPPB issues the E.Passport, but each payer still credentials them per state.
How does a South Carolina therapist join Healthy Connections Medicaid?
Enroll with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services through the SCDHHS provider enrollment portal. Healthy Connections Medicaid enrolls 812,589 people across 5 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina, Absolute Total Care, Healthy Blue by Blue Choice, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can South Carolina LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in South Carolina enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by Palmetto GBA, and Medicare pays them 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. They need 2 years or 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical experience.
Answers cover PECS services, prices and process. For legal, tax or clinical questions please consult a professional.
Sources: PSYPACT Commission, participating states map and legislation table; Counseling Compact Commission, member states and news and go-live announcements; Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, member jurisdictions and news and status updates; CMS, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors; KFF, Medicaid MCO Enrollment by Plan and Parent Firm, 2024. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the South Carolina licensing board before relying on it.