CPA in South Carolina

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$73,180

trending_down -10.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Carolina.

engineering

15,250

Jobs (SC)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

Varies (CPA Exam must be passed within 36 months)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in South Carolina

To become a CPA in South Carolina, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the South Carolina Board of Accountancy. This includes holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing one to two years (2,000 hours) of relevant work experience, depending on education. Additionally, applicants must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam and undergo a background check. South Carolina offers reciprocity for licensed CPAs from other jurisdictions.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,220

25th percentile $56,870

50th (median) $73,180

75th percentile $97,600

90th (experienced) $131,550

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Carolina. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist South Carolina requirements

Licensing body	South Carolina Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 36 semester hours in accounting (24 at upper-division) and 24 semester hours in business courses. An alternative pathway allows for 120 semester hours with two years of experience.
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,243)
Application fee	$165
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	40.0 hours per cycle
Reciprocity	SC offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other US states or recognized foreign authorities.Reciprocal states: South Carolina offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other U.S. states or territories, or foreign authorities recognized by the International Qualifications Appraisal Board under a Mutual Recognition Agreement, provided the license is active and in good standing. A reciprocity application fee of $165 is required.
Notes	Minimum age of 18. Must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam with a score of 90% or higher. Background check required for initial licensure and reinstatement. Must be lawfully present in the United States and provide a Social Security Number or Lawful Permanent Resident Number.

Source: South Carolina Board of Accountancy

Already licensed elsewhere and moving to South Carolina? See whether South Carolina recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our CPA license reciprocity guide.

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,200 investment ÷ $73,180 median salary

check_circleSouth Carolina license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

arrow_forward

Compare CPA head-to-head

See all comparisons →

Considering a CPA vs another career? Side-by-side breakdowns of pay, training time, and licensing.

vs Paralegal

Pay, time, licensing compared

arrow_forward

vs Real Estate Agent

Pay, time, licensing compared

arrow_forward

vs Insurance Agent

Pay, time, licensing compared

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a cpa in South Carolina? expand_more

South Carolina requires cpas to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including 36 semester hours in accounting (24 at upper-division) and 24 semester hours in business courses. An alternative pathway allows for 120 semester hours with two years of experience.), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($165 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a cpa in South Carolina? expand_more

You cannot practice as a cpa in South Carolina without a state license from South Carolina Board of Accountancy. The required exam is the Uniform CPA Examination.

What do cpas earn in South Carolina? expand_more

South Carolina cpas bring home a median salary of $73,180. This trails the $81,680 national median by 10%. Wages range from $48,220 (10th percentile) up to $131,550 (90th percentile).

What are the fees to become a cpa in South Carolina? expand_more

Between exam fee ($1,243) and application fee ($165), expect to invest around $1,200 in total to get started.

How long does it take to become a cpa in South Carolina? expand_more

Expect to spend Varies (CPA Exam must be passed within 36 months) from start to finish in South Carolina — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What's required to renew a cpa license in South Carolina? expand_more

License renewal in South Carolina requires completing 40.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.