Becoming a behavior analyst in South Carolina starts with a master’s degree in ABA or a related field, followed by supervised fieldwork and the BCBA exam. South Carolina requires state licensure to practice independently. The career outlook is strong: the state projects 20.4% job growth through 2032, and experienced practitioners in Charleston earn up to $92,410 per year.
South Carolina has made real strides in expanding access to ABA therapy over the past decade. Between a strengthened autism insurance law and a steady increase in ABA providers across the state, the demand for qualified behavior analysts has grown faster than most people outside the field realize. If you’re researching this career path, you’re looking at a profession with a clear route in, solid earning potential, and work that genuinely changes lives.
Here’s what the path looks like in South Carolina, step by step.
How to Become a BCBA in South Carolina
South Carolina has state licensure requirements for behavior analysts. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) establishes the national certification foundation, and South Carolina builds on it with its own licensing process. Here’s how the path breaks down.
Step 1: Earn Your Graduate Degree
A master’s degree is the minimum educational requirement to pursue BCBA certification and state licensure. Your program needs to meet BACB coursework requirements, which as of 2026 are fulfilled through one of two pathways: enrollment in an ABAI-accredited master’s in ABA (the most straightforward path), or a program that has received university attestation confirming its coursework meets BACB standards through a course-by-course review.
You’ll find qualifying programs in applied behavior analysis specifically, as well as in psychology or education with a behavior analysis focus. Not sure whether a program qualifies? Check for ABAI accreditation directly. It’s the clearest signal that a program aligns with current BACB requirements. Both on-campus and online programs can hold this accreditation, which matters if you’re balancing work or family while completing your degree.
Step 2: Complete Your Supervised Experience
Before you can sit for the BCBA exam, you need to log supervised fieldwork hours under a qualified BCBA supervisor. The BACB currently requires 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork (or 1,500 hours through the Concentrated Supervised Experience pathway). These hours must be verified and on file with the BACB before you can apply to test.
Many graduate programs help coordinate this through practicum placements. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to arrange independent fieldwork with an approved supervisor at an ABA provider in the state. South Carolina has a growing network of providers where you can complete this requirement. Some of the organizations available to practicum students include:
- Autism Academy of South Carolina, Columbia
- Autism, Inc., Bluffton, Greenville, and Charleston
- Blooming Kids Learning Center, Rock Hill
- Butterfly Effects, Charleston and Greenville
- Charleston Autism Academy, Mount Pleasant
- Charleston Pediatric Rehabilitation, North Charleston
- SOS Healthcare, Inc., Myrtle Beach
Step 3: Pass the BCBA Exam
The BCBA examination is a computer-based test administered through Pearson VUE testing centers. It covers the full scope of ABA science, from measurement and experimental design to ethics and intervention strategies.
You can apply to sit for the exam once your graduate coursework and supervised hours are complete and verified by the BACB. Most candidates spend three to six months preparing after finishing their fieldwork. For a detailed walkthrough of the full certification process, see our guide to BCBA certification requirements.
Step 4: Apply for State Licensure in South Carolina
Once you’ve passed the BCBA exam, you’ll apply for licensure through South Carolina’s licensing board. State licensure is required to practice independently as a behavior analyst in SC. For current requirements, application forms, and fee schedules, contact the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation directly. Requirements can change, and the board’s website will always have the most current information.
You can also reference our state-by-state licensing guide for a broader overview of how South Carolina compares to other states.
ABA Providers in South Carolina
Applied behavior analysts in South Carolina work across a wide range of settings: public schools, children’s hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and private ABA therapy practices. A few of the established providers in the state include:
The Autism Academy of South Carolina (AASC), Columbia, provides individualized ABA therapy for clients with autism spectrum disorder. As a nonprofit, AASC offers one-on-one and small group therapy for children ages 2 to 21 in a center-based setting, with programming tailored to each child’s individual assessment and continually updated based on progress.
Greenville Children’s Hospital runs the Autism Wonders program, a multidisciplinary initiative serving families of children with ASD in Upstate South Carolina. The program combines diagnostic services with ongoing follow-up care coordinated across specialties.
Aspire, Goose Cre, and ek deliver ABA therapy both in-clinic and in the home,e depending on each client’s needs. Clinic-based clients benefit from structured socialization opportunities, while home-based therapy focuses on daily living skills and independence.
South Carolina ABA Salary and Career Outlook
South Carolina’s ABA job market is expanding. According to the South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce, employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the state (SOC 21-1018, the BLS category that includes ABA professionals) is projected to grow by 20.4% between 2022 and 2032. That translates to roughly 520 average annual job openings. For context, the national growth rate for this occupational category runs around 18% over a comparable period. South Carolina is outpacing it.
May 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show a statewide median of $50,720 for SOC 21-1018 in South Carolina, with the top 25% earning $65,770 or more and the top 10% reaching $84,190. Keep in mind that BCBA professionals typically earn on the higher end of this range. The BLS category is broad and includes entry-level counselors alongside highly credentialed behavior analysts. You can compare these figures against ABA salaries by state to see how South Carolina stacks up nationally.
Here’s how salary breaks down across South Carolina’s major metro areas:
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Salary | Top 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 960 | $51,530 | $88,610 |
| Columbia, SC | 850 | $56,150 | $87,590 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 510 | $56,660 | $92,410 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway, SC | 250 | $55,750 | $77,950 |
| South Carolina (Statewide) | 4,680 | $50,720 | $84,190 |
Greenville and Charleston are the largest employment markets in the state. Charleston shows the highest ceiling for experienced practitioners, with top earners reaching $92,410. Columbia offers the broadest concentration of providers and employers, given its role as the state capital and home to AASC and several large hospital systems.
South Carolina’s autism insurance law (commonly called Ryan’s Law) has played a real role in expanding the client base for ABA practitioners across the state. For a full breakdown of how coverage works and what’s changed in recent years, see our guide to autism insurance laws by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Carolina require state licensure for behavior analysts?
Yes. South Carolina has state licensing requirements for behavior analysts. You’ll need to holda BCBA certification from the BACB and apply for state licensure separately. For current requirements and the application process, contact the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation directly, as requirements can change.
What coursework qualifies a master’s program for BCBA certification after 2025?
After December 31, 2025, the BACB’s Verified Course Sequence (VCS) system ended. Programs now qualify through ABAI or APBA accreditation, or through university attestation, in which the school confirms its coursework meets BACB standards via a course-by-course review. The cleanest path is an ABAI-accredited program. It removes any ambiguity about whether your coursework qualifies before you apply.
Can I complete my BCBA supervised hours online or remotely?
Some supervised hours can be completed remotely, depending on your supervisor’s approval and the nature of the client work. Direct client observation and certain intervention activities do require in-person contact. Your supervisor and current BACB guidelines will clarify what qualifies. Many online ABA programs coordinate local practicum placements in South Carolina to help students meet this requirement.
How long does it typically take to become a licensed behavior analyst in South Carolina?
Most people complete the full path in three to four years. A master’s program typically runs two years. Supervised fieldwork (2,000 hours) often runs concurrently with, or immediately after, the degree, and many candidates complete it within 1 to 2 years. BCBA exam preparation and the state licensure application add a few months to that.
Key Takeaways
- State licensure is required: South Carolina requires both BCBA certification and separate state licensure to practice independently as a behavior analyst.
- Program accreditation matters: After December 31, 2025, the VCS system will no longer be available. Your master’s program must meet BACB standards through ABAI/APBA accreditation or university attestation.
- Strong job growth ahead: South Carolina projects 20.4% employment growth for this field through 2032, with approximately 520 average annual openings.
- Three major metro markets, Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston, are the largest ABA employment markets in the state.
- Competitive earning potential: Experienced practitioners in Charleston earn up to $92,410 per year, according to May 2024 BLS data.
Ready to find ABA programs in South Carolina? Compare master’s programs that meet current BACB coursework requirements, check fieldwork placement support, and take the next step toward your BCBA.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Note: ABA/BCBA roles are included in this broader BLS category, and actual salaries for these professionals are frequently higher. ABA salaries can vary based on experience, location, and setting. Data accessed February 2026.