How to Become an Approved Clinical Supervisor in South Carolina as a Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT)

If you’re an LMFT researching how to become a supervisor in South Carolina, this guide explains the South Carolina clinical supervisor requirements, supervisor renewal CE rules, pitfalls to avoid, and where TCI can help you meet the South Carolina supervision training requirements for MFTs.

✅ Supervisor Eligibility Requirements (LMFT-S)

Under S.C. Code Regs. § 36-09, an applicant for LMFT-S must:

• Submit application + fee

• Hold a current, active, unrestricted SC LMFT license

• Meet either Pathway (a) OR Pathway (b)

That means:

🔹 Pathway (a): Doctoral Route
If the applicant:

• Holds a doctoral degree in MFT or

• Holds a doctoral degree in a CACREP-accredited marriage, couple, and family counseling specialty

🔹 Pathway (b): Experience + Supervision Route
If the applicant does not hold the qualifying doctoral degree, they must provide:

• Five (5) years continuous clinical experience immediately preceding application;

• 36 hours of individual/triadic supervision-of-supervision, over at least 2 years,

• By a Board-licensed MFT-S or other Board-approved qualified mental health practitioner

• Approved before supervision begins

• While supervising 2–6 MFT associates; and

• Three (3) semester hours of graduate study in supervision or Board-approved training

Source: South Carolina Code of Regulations § 36–09 (as amended, eff. May 23, 2025)

🔁 Ongoing / Renewal CE Requirements (LMFT-S)

Under South Carolina Code of Regulations § 36-16, individuals licensed as Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisors (LMFT-S) must satisfy both of the following requirements during every two-year licensure period:

1️⃣ LMFT License Renewal Requirements
To renew the underlying LMFT license, licensees must complete:

• Forty (40) hours of Board-approved continuing education every two years, including:

  • Thirty-three (33) hours related to the MFT license

  • Six (6) hours in ethics related to the professional license

  • One (1) hour in suicide assessment, treatment, and management

• Licensees holding more than one professional license must complete fifty (50) total hours, with:

  • Six (6) hours in ethics

  • One (1) hour in suicide assessment, treatment, and management

  • The remaining hours divided as equally as possible among the licensed disciplines

2️⃣ Supervisor License Renewal Requirement
In addition to the above LMFT renewal requirements, LMFT-S must complete:

• Ten (10) hours of continuing education in supervision of their discipline during every two-year licensure period as a condition of renewal of the supervisor license.

Source: South Carolina Code of Regulations § 36–16 (as amended, eff. May 23, 2025)

⚠️ Pitfalls to Avoid

• Supervisee not properly registered/supervised: Hours won’t count unless the MFT Associate is properly registered and under your active LMFT-S; verify both statuses before any hours begin.

• Non-compliant supervision setup: Complete 36 hours of individual/triadic supervision-of-supervision over ≥2 years while supervising 2–6 associates, with oversight approved before you start; get written approval and map the two-year plan.

• Insufficient documentation: Keep detailed, board-ready records (dates, duration, format—individual/triadic vs group—key topics) and secure signatures/attestations as you go.

📘 How the Telehealth Certification Institute Helps You Meet Supervision CE Requirements

TCI offers online, self-paced continuing education (CE) programs designed to support LMFTs and LMFT-S in meeting South Carolina supervision training and renewal requirements.

Please note that TCI provides continuing education (CE) courses only, not university-level training.

Recommended Courses

Important renewal note (South Carolina): South Carolina requires 1 hour in suicide assessment, treatment, and management during each two-year renewal cycle. TCI’s supervision bundles and certificate programs do not include the required 1-hour suicide training, so LMFTs/LMFT-S should add a suicide assessment course separately to meet renewal requirements.

• ✅ 10 CE Clinical Supervision Training Bundle
  This concise, self-paced bundle is designed to fulfill the 10-hour supervision-specific CE requirement for LMFT-S renewal.

  Topics include:

  • Supervision models

  • Cultural competency

  • Foundations of supervision practice

• ✅ 30 CE Clinical Supervision Training Bundle
  This comprehensive, self-paced program is ideal for LMFTs applying for supervisor status for the first time. It provides 30 CE hours and is:

  • ✅ Designed to support applicants seeking to meet the Board’s supervision training requirement. Applicants should verify acceptance with the South Carolina Board.

  • ✅ Sufficient to meet the 10-hour CE requirement for LMFT-S renewal

  Topics covered:

  • Models of supervision

  • Ethical and legal issues

  • Evaluation and feedback

  • Multicultural supervision

  • Risk management, documentation, and telesupervision best practices

• ✅ Individual Clinical Supervision CE Courses
  Prefer to build your own training path? You can assemble a custom 30+ CE hour bundle by selecting from individual TCI courses focused on:

  • Supervision ethics

  • Legal and boundary considerations

  • Evaluation and documentation

  • Trauma-informed and multicultural supervision

  • Telesupervision and distance supervision strategies

  ✅ When combined appropriately, these courses may be used toward supervision-related training and/or renewal CE requirements. Applicants should confirm Board acceptance.

• ✅ Clinical Supervision Certificate Program (49 CE Hours)
  The Clinical Supervision Certificate (CSC) Program provides 49 CE hours in supervision-focused content.

  This program can:

  • Provide sufficient CE hours to meet the 40-hour renewal requirement for a single LMFT license, excluding the required 1-hour suicide assessment course

  • Count toward the required supervision-specific CE for LMFT-S renewal.

  For licensees holding multiple licenses (50-hour requirement), additional CE hours may be obtained by:

  • Adding individual supervision courses; or

  • Combining the CSC program with other discipline-related CE offerings.

  📜 Participants receive a CE certificate upon completion of all program requirements.

• ✅ Suicide Prevention and Response Courses
  South Carolina requires:

  • One (1) hour in suicide assessment, treatment, and management every two-year cycle.

  To fulfill this requirement, you may browse TCI’s suicide prevention and response courses.

🤝 Free Clinical Supervision Forum

Join our live, bi-monthly forum designed for clinical supervisors—open to all behavioral health professionals!

• ✅ Earn complimentary live CE hours
• 💬 Participate in real-world supervision case discussions
• 🌐 Network with supervisors from across the country

🔗 Register now and be part of the conversation

🌟 Why Choose TCI for Your Training?

• ✅ Trusted by thousands of behavioral health professionals nationwide
• ✅ 100% online and self-paced — learn anytime, anywhere
• ✅ Accredited CE from leading industry experts
• ✅ Flexible, modular courses — pay only for what you need

⚠️ Disclaimer

“The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Licensing and supervision requirements may change, and interpretations may vary. It is the responsibility of each individual to verify the current rules and qualifications directly with their state licensing authority.”

🚀 Ready to Get Started?

Take the next step in your career by becoming an approved clinical supervisor in South Carolina.

👉 Apply for the 30 CE Clinical Supervision Training Bundle – for LMFT-S Licensure
👉 Renew with the 10 CE Clinical Supervision Training Bundle – for current LMFT Supervisors

Shape the future of clinicians—lead with clarity and confidence.