South Carolina Veterinary Licensing Explained: The LVT, the Online Jurisprudence Exam and CE Broker

South Carolina's rules are friendly to newcomers: the state exam is online and open book, and technicians moving in can start work on a temporary license. Two things to plan for are the state's separate drug license and its use of CE Broker for continuing education.

Who regulates veterinary medicine in South Carolina

The South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners licenses veterinarians and veterinary technicians, supported by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). The practice act is Chapter 69 of Title 40 of the South Carolina Code.

The licensed veterinary technician

South Carolina's credential is the licensed veterinary technician (LVT). Applicants submit:

1. A certified transcript showing a veterinary technician degree from an AVMA accredited college. Distance learning programs count if the school is AVMA accredited.
2. National exam results with a passing score: the VTNE, with scores transferred through the AAVSB. See our VTNE guide.
3. Verification of every other license held, active or inactive, for those moving from another state.
4. A recent passport type photo.
5. The fee.

An application is valid for one year.

The state exam

Every applicant passes South Carolina's online jurisprudence exam on the state's veterinary laws and rules:

• Open book, available 24 hours a day once your application is approved.
• 70% to pass.
• Retake after 24 hours if you do not pass.

The temporary license

A technician licensed in another state can get a temporary license while the application is processed, with:

• a current, unrestricted technician license from another state and verification of every license held;
• an accredited transcript and national exam scores; and
• proof of employment by a South Carolina veterinarian, with the practice, location and start date.

It lasts only until the board acts on the full application and cannot be renewed.

Supervision terms

South Carolina defines its supervision levels in the practice act. Direct supervision means a licensed veterinarian is on the premises and within immediate vocal communication. Immediate supervision means within direct eyesight and hearing.

Continuing education

From the board's FAQ:

• Veterinarians: 30 hours every two years.
• Technicians: 12 hours every two years, under Regulation 120-6.
• No carry over from one renewal period to the next.
• Report through CE Broker, the board's official tracking system, not to the board office. A free basic account is available, and courses logged in the AAVSB's RACEtrack transfer once your CE Broker account is activated.
• Approved sponsors include the AVMA, AAHA, NAVTA, the VHMA, RACE, and state veterinary and technician associations.
• The board audits at random after each renewal period.

Controlled substances

South Carolina requires both a federal DEA registration and a state drug license. The state license is issued by the Bureau of Drug Control, within what the board's FAQ lists as the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Graduates of foreign schools

The board requires foreign graduates to hold the AVMA's ECFVG certificate. See foreign-trained veterinarians: ECFVG vs PAVE.

How to verify a South Carolina license

LLR's online license lookup shows each license's status and whether there is discipline. Board orders are public on LLR's site, so you can read the details. See how to verify a veterinary license.

How Zuse helps

Zuse Hire shows South Carolina practices the licensed veterinarians and LVTs nearby, checked against the state record. On Zuse Talent, South Carolina veterinarians and technicians can claim their license and browse vet tech jobs with pay shown.

Sources

• South Carolina LLR, License requirements for licensed veterinary technician, FAQs and Continuing education
• South Carolina Code, Title 40, Chapter 69

Rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

FAQ

Do vet techs need a license in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina licenses veterinary technicians as LVTs, with an AVMA accredited degree, the national exam and the state's online jurisprudence exam.

What is the South Carolina vet tech state exam?

An online, open book exam on South Carolina's veterinary laws and rules, available around the clock once your application is approved. You need 70% to pass and can retake it after 24 hours.

Can I work in South Carolina while my LVT application is processed?

If you hold a current technician license in another state and have a job offer from a South Carolina veterinarian, you can apply for a temporary license that lasts until the board decides your application.

How much CE do South Carolina vets and techs need?

Veterinarians need 30 hours and technicians 12 hours every two years, reported through CE Broker, with no carry over.

Do South Carolina veterinarians need a state drug license?

Yes, in addition to a DEA registration. It is issued by the state's Bureau of Drug Control.