← All licensure pages · All entries for South Carolina → · Rules on the business of practice in South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners, within the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

What the board and the law publish

Each field carries its own source and the date it was checked. A field marked not published means the board's own pages were read and do not address it. Absence in what we checked is not absence at the board. A field marked unverified says what was attempted.

State
published South Carolina, a state. Its chiropractic licensing body is a board within the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR).Source: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/ · checked 2026-10-04
Licensing body
published South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners, part of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.Source: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/ · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php · checked 2026-10-04
Statutory authority
published The act is the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 40, Chapter 9 (sections 40-9-10 through 40-9-110), published by the South Carolina Legislative Services Agency. The board links to it as Chiropractic Examiners Practice Act, Chapter 9. The rules are the South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 25 (25-1 onward), published as a PDF on the same scstatehouse.gov site. The board links to them as Chiropractic Examiners Regulations, Chapter 25. Both links appear on the board's homepage, its Licensure page and its Laws and Policies page.Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/laws.aspx · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/ · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx · checked 2026-10-04
Degree requirement
published You need at least two years of pre-professional college credits from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or an equivalent accreditor. Regulation 25-2 sets that transcript at 60 semester hours. You must also be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by, or holding recognized candidate status with, the Council on Chiropractic Education or the Commission on Accreditation of the Straight Chiropractic Academic Standards Association, or one that meets equivalent standards. The board's Licensure page and regulation 25-2 write Council of Chiropractic Education. Section 40-9-40 writes Council on Chiropractic Education.Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf · checked 2026-10-04
  • No person may be granted a license to engage in the practice of chiropractic unless he presents proof that he has at least two years of pre-professional college credits from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or an accrediting agency of equal status and recognition and that he is a graduate of a chiropractic college which is accredited by or has recognized candidate status with the Council on Chiropractic Education or with the Commission on Accreditation of the Straight Chiropractic Academic Standards Association or meets equivalent standards. scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php
  • An applicant’s transcript must indicate two years (60 semester hours) toward a degree from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or an accrediting agency of equal status and recognition. scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf
  • Be a graduate from a chiropractic college accredited by or has recognized candidate status with the Council of Chiropractic Education or with the Commission on Accreditation of the Straight Chiropractic Academic Standards Association or meets equivalent standards. llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx
Student practice before licensure
published Section 40-9-20(A) of the statute requires a license from the board to practice chiropractic, except students participating in a preceptorship or residency training program may perform without a license chiropractic procedures under the direct supervision of a chiropractic preceptor. It continues: These procedures and this supervision must be practiced within the confines of the appropriate chiropractic college or office of a licensed chiropractor. Section 40-9-20(C) reads: (C) This section does not apply to any chiropractic college which has failed to attain accredited status from the Council on Chiropractic Education or its successors or from the Commission on Accreditation of the Straight Chiropractic Academic Standards Association. Section 40-9-25 reads: A student enrolled in a preceptorship or residency training program may perform chiropractic procedures only if: (a) the student has met all academic requirements for graduation from an accredited chiropractic college approved by the board; and (b) the chiropractic procedures are performed only under the direct supervision of the student's chiropractic preceptor. Section 40-9-10(e) defines a preceptorship or residency training program: the term means a clinical program of an approved college of chiropractic in which a chiropractic intern or resident practices chiropractic under the direct supervision of a licensed chiropractor. Section 40-9-10(g) defines direct supervision: the term means the chiropractic preceptor must be within the immediate patient treatment area and available to the student at all times. Section 40-9-10(f) defines a chiropractic preceptor: the term means a person licensed under this chapter who is approved by the board to supervise chiropractic students in the performance of chiropractic at a location other than the premises of a chiropractic college in which the student is enrolled. A chiropractic preceptor must: and then lists items (1) to (5). Section 40-9-20(B) governs charges to patients for work performed by students. The board's Licensure page states the exception to the license requirement, and the board lists a Preceptorship Application on its Applications/Forms page. That form says: The chiropractor must have written approval from the chiropractic college to serve as a preceptor to a student. and The chiropractic college must send confirmation directly to the Board that the student has met all academic requirements to graduate and that the chiropractor will serve as an adjunct faculty member.Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/pub.aspx · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/pdf/Preceptor_Application_Form.pdf · checked 2026-10-04
  • (1) have been licensed to practice chiropractic in South Carolina for not less than five years; scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php
  • (2) not have been publicly or privately sanctioned by a chiropractic licensure board in any state; scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php
  • (3) sign a sworn statement that he or she has not knowingly violated state or federal rules or regulations including, but not limited to, those pertaining to the repayment of guaranteed federally funded student loans; scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php
  • (4) receive written approval of the chiropractic college to serve as an adjunct faculty member for the purpose of an individual student's preceptorship or residency training program; scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php
  • (5) supervise no more than one chiropractic student at a time at a location other than the premises of the chiropractic college in which the student is enrolled. scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php
  • (B) No charges for professional service may be made to any patient or to his insurance company for any work performed on the patient by the students or by the licensed chiropractor on the college staff while supervising the students or by the licensed chiropractor in an office while supervising the students. However, the chiropractic college or the office of the licensed chiropractor may charge the patient for the actual costs and expenses it incurs for the use of its clinical property or facilities by the patient. scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php
  • with the exception of students participating in a preceptorship or residency training program under the direct supervision of a chiropractic preceptor. llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx
  • I understand to continue to be a preceptor my license must be active and in good standing at all times. llr.sc.gov/chiro/pdf/Preceptor_Application_Form.pdf
NBCE parts required
published If you graduated on or after January 1, 1997, you need NBCE Parts I, II, III and IV at the NBCE recommended passing score, and you must pass them before you apply. Earlier graduates have different requirements, by graduation date. Regulation 25-2 A(3)(a) says that if you graduated before July 1, 1987, you need Parts I and II and/or a board-approved exam such as SPEC or Part IV. The board's Licensure page gives two versions: its requirements list says such graduates must have passed Parts I and II and/or pass an examination approved by the Board, and its Examination section says they must have passed Parts I and II and passed a practical examination approved by the Board. If you graduated from July 1, 1987 to before January 1, 1997, you need Parts I, II and III plus a board-approved practical exam such as SPEC or Part IV. Regulation 25-5 E also names the NBCE physiotherapy exam, as a condition of using therapeutic modalities. Chiropractors licensed in South Carolina before June 1, 1986, are exempt from that exam.Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx · checked 2026-10-04
  • Applicants graduating from a chiropractic college on or after January 1, 1997, must have passed Parts I, II, III, and IV with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) recommended passing score. scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf
  • Applicants graduating from a Chiropractic College on or after January 1, 1997, must have passed Parts I, II, III, and IV with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) recommended passing score. llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx
  • Must have completed and passed all required parts of the National Board examinations prior to application for the South Carolina examination. llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx
  • Usage of therapeutic modalities is permitted only by those chiropractors who have passed the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) physiotherapy exam or a substantially equivalent future NBCE examination. scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf
  • Chiropractors licensed in South Carolina prior to June 1, 1986, are exempt from this examination. scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf
State-specific exam
published The board's Licensure page names the South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination in its list of requirements, and under the heading State Examination Requirements says: Applicants must be tested on South Carolina statutes and ethics and must pass with a score of 75 percent or better. It is a jurisprudence exam. Section 40-9-30(D)(7) of the statute says the board shall use the National Board Examination of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners in lieu of the state written examination for persons graduating from an approved chiropractic college pursuant to Section 40-9-40 after July 1, 1982.Source: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php · checked 2026-10-04
  • Pass South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination. llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx
  • the board shall use the National Board Examination of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners in lieu of the state written examination for persons graduating from an approved chiropractic college pursuant to Section 40-9-40 after July 1, 1982; scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php
Jurisprudence requirement
published Yes. You must pass the South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination, which tests South Carolina law and ethics, with a score of 75 percent or more. The board says the online exam link is emailed once all required documents are received. It points you to Chapter 9 and Chapter 25 to prepare. Endorsement applicants must also pass it. The two sources give different retake rules. The board's Licensure page says you may retake after 24 hours. Regulation 25-2 A(4) says you may retake within one year. Separately, the board lists a rules and regulations online exam for continuing education, for current licensees.Source: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/updates.aspx · checked 2026-10-04
Scope: what is included
published The statute defines chiropractic practice as the spinal analysis of any interference with normal nerve transmission and expression, and by adjustment to the articulations of the vertebral column and its immediate articulations for the restoration and maintenance of health and the normal regimen and rehabilitation of the patient without the use of drugs or surgery. It defines analysis as physical examination, the use of x-ray and procedures generally used in the practice of chiropractic. Regulation 25-6 A limits practice to three things: therapeutic or hygienic treatment, x-ray, and other procedures generally used in chiropractic. It then lists what those other procedures are. Regulation 25-5 E reads: Usage of therapeutic modalities is permitted only by those chiropractors who have passed the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) physiotherapy exam or a substantially equivalent future NBCE examination. It continues: Chiropractors licensed in South Carolina prior to June 1, 1986, are exempt from this examination. Its list of approved therapy procedures includes manipulation under anesthesia. Regulation 25-5 H governs manipulation under anesthesia. The board's Scope of Practice page cites Chapter 25, Section 25-5 A. (1) for the limitation of practice. In Chapter 25, section 25-5 A covers lapsed licenses, and the limitation of practice is at 25-6 A(1).Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/scope.aspx · checked 2026-10-04
Scope: what is excluded
published Regulation 25-6 A(4); section 40-9-10(b), whose definition of practice ends without the use of drugs or surgery; and regulation 25-5 F(2), on titles. The board's Scope of Practice page sets out the 25-6 A(4) list as one sentence and spells item (h) catherization. The regulation spells it catheterization.Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/scope.aspx · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php · checked 2026-10-04
Continuing education
published You need a minimum of 36 hours of continuing education every two years to renew. The 2026 renewal covers CE earned October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026. Regulation 25-5 B requires two hours in board rules and regulations, capped at four hours a period, and two hours in risk management. It allows no more than half the hours online. The board's renewals page says A maximum of 18 hours can be obtained through distance learning programs. The two sources give different retention periods for attendance certificates: the renewals page says three years, and regulation 25-5 C says four years. CE is reported to CE Broker. If you are licensed out of state, the regulation lets you satisfy the requirement by meeting your home state's CE. It also exempts chiropractors who graduate from an accredited chiropractic college and become licensed within the same biennial renewal period from the 36-hour requirement for that renewal period. Practice-building subjects are not approved.Source: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/renewals.aspx · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf · checked 2026-10-04
  • As a pre-requisite for biennial renewal of a practitioner’s license, the licensee must complete a minimum of thirty-six (36) hours of approved professional CE, no more than half of which may be online. scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf
  • Of the thirty-six (36) CE hours, two (2) hours are required in rules and regulations of the S.C. Board of Chiropractic Examiners (limited to four (4) hours per renewal period) and two (2) hours in risk management which include, but are not limited to, boundary or public health issues. scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf
  • As a pre-requisite for biennial renewal of a license, the licensee must complete biennially a minimum of thirty-six (36) hours of accepted professional continuing education. llr.sc.gov/chiro/renewals.aspx
  • A maximum of 18 hours can be obtained through distance learning programs. llr.sc.gov/chiro/renewals.aspx
  • The biennial CE reporting period for the 2026 renewal is October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026. llr.sc.gov/chiro/renewals.aspx
  • Licensees must maintain copies of their attendance certificates for three (3) years from the last renewal date. llr.sc.gov/chiro/renewals.aspx
  • Retention and Audit. Licensees must maintain copies of attendance certificates for four (4) years from the last renewal date. scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf
  • CE Broker is the official CE tracking system of the South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners. llr.sc.gov/chiro/renewals.aspx
  • out-of-state licensees meeting their home state’s CE requirements, which will satisfy the Board’s CE requirements; scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf
  • Practice-building subject matter (administration, finance, etc.) will not be approved for license renewal. llr.sc.gov/chiro/renewals.aspx
Endorsement or reciprocity
published The board's Licensure page says You may apply for a Chiropractic license by: and lists Endorsement: Applicants who hold a current license in another jurisdiction. Regulation 25-3 says A license may be granted for applicants who meet the following requirements: and its requirements include that you have been licensed for one continuous year immediately before applying. If you matriculated after July 1, 1987, you must meet the NBCE requirements of 25-2. If you matriculated before then, you must have passed a state exam or NBCE Parts I and II. You also need licensure verification sent directly from every state where you have held a license, and you must take and pass the South Carolina Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination with a score of 75% or more. An expired out-of-state license carries further conditions (25-3 G and H). Separately, section 40-9-70 says the board shall have authority to grant licensure by reciprocity to applicants from states with commensurate requirements that grant reciprocal privileges, provided the applicant has been in practice in that state for at least one year. Section 40-9-70 refers to item (8) of SECTION 40-9-30. In section 40-9-30, item (8) concerns professional and ethical competence.Source: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php · checked 2026-10-04
Summary
published The South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners, part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, licenses chiropractors under Title 40, Chapter 9 of the Code of Laws and Chapter 25 of the Code of Regulations. You need at least two years of pre-professional college credits from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or an accrediting agency of equal status and recognition, and graduation from a chiropractic college accredited by, or a recognized candidate with, the Council on Chiropractic Education or the Commission on Accreditation of the Straight Chiropractic Academic Standards Association, or one meeting equivalent standards. If you graduated on or after January 1, 1997, you also need NBCE Parts I–IV at the recommended passing score. You must also pass the board's Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination with a score of 75 percent or more. Practice is limited to therapeutic or hygienic treatment, x-ray and procedures generally used in chiropractic; regulation 25-6 A(4) lists what diagnostic or therapeutic procedures shall not include. Regulation 25-5 E permits therapeutic modalities only for chiropractors who have passed the NBCE physiotherapy exam or a substantially equivalent future NBCE examination, and exempts chiropractors licensed in South Carolina before June 1, 1986, from that exam. Renewal is every two years with a minimum of 36 CE hours, including two in board rules and regulations and two in risk management. If you are licensed elsewhere, endorsement requirements include one continuous year of licensure immediately before you apply and the jurisprudence exam.Source: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/ · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php · https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf · https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/licensure.aspx · checked 2026-10-04

Recorded limit. The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards publishes a record for each board at https://www.fclb.org/. That site returned HTTP 403 to us when checked on 2026-10-04, so its record could not be read.

The board is the authority on everything here. Requirements change. Confirm anything you intend to act on with the board directly.

Cite this entry. South Carolina licensure. In The Kaleidoscope. ChiroTrack. Last verified 4 October 2026. https://kaleidoscope.thechirotrack.com/licensure-south-carolina.html. Accessed ________.

Corrections to this entry: none · If this is your institution: how this entry was sourced, and how to correct it