S.C. Code Ann. § 25-1-170

This is the official text of S.C. Code Ann. § 25-1-170, part of South Carolina’s Code Ann — part of the compiled statutory law of South Carolina, published by the state as "Code Ann." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

SECTION 25-1-170. Licenses and certificates for spouses licensed in other jurisdictions.

Official statutory text

(A) Except as provided in subsection (G), and notwithstanding other provisions of law, this section applies to a board, agency, commission, or other entity providing professional licenses or certificates, or both, for the purpose of employment in the State of South Carolina. A board, commission, or agency providing professional licenses or certificates, or both, may promulgate rules in conformity with this section for the purpose of implementing its requirements. (B) Except as provided in subsection (G), and notwithstanding another provision of law, this section applies to individuals who: (1) are married to and living with an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces who is relocated to and stationed in this State under official military orders; (2) have not committed or participated in an act that would constitute grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a professional license or certificate; (3) have not been disciplined by an authorized entity or are under investigation, in any jurisdiction, in relation to a professional license or certificate; and (4) pay any required fee and submit to any required criminal or other background check by an authorized board, commission, or agency in this State. (C) An eligible individual under subsection (B) who possesses a valid professional or occupational license or certificate in another state, district, or territory of the United States with licensing or certification requirements greater than or substantially similar to the licensing or certification requirements of the appropriate board, commission, or agency in this State must be approved to continue work in that profession or occupation upon relocation to this State for such time as normally allotted with receipt of a license or certificate from the appropriate board, commission, or agency. (D) Upon completion of an application that documents compliance with the receiving agency's requirements for a certificate or license, an authorized board, commission, or agency shall process the application and issue a license within fifteen business days after receipt of the application. (E) In addition to general personal information about the applicant, and other documentation satisfying the receiving agency's requirements for a certificate or license, the application must include proof that he: (1) is married to and living with an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces who is relocated to and stationed in this State under official military orders; (2) possesses a valid license or certificate in another state, district, or territory of the United States; and (3) holds the license in subsection (B) in "good standing" as evidenced by a certificate of good standing from the state, district, or territory of the United States that issued the license. (F) A board, commission, or agency in this State may establish reciprocity with other states for military spouse professional licensing and certification. (G) This section does not apply to: (1) the practice of law or the regulation of attorneys; and (2) educators. (H) A license or certificate issued pursuant to this section is valid for the same period of time as a license or certificate issued pursuant to the requirements of the applicable title for the particular profession or occupation. (I) Nothing in this section prevents a board, commission, or agency from revoking, penalizing, or suspending a license pursuant to the appropriate code sections regulating the particular profession. Editor's Note 2020 Act No. 139, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act must be known and may be cited as the 'Armed Services Members and Spouses Professional and Occupational Licensing Act'."

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

Need a lawyer in South Carolina?

Find a South Carolina lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.