South Carolina Respiratory Therapist CEUs: 30-Hour Renewal Requirements Guide


Each state has its own continuing education requirements for respiratory therapists, including different CEU totals, timelines, and approved providers. In South Carolina, respiratory therapists must complete 30 hours of approved continuing education every two years to maintain an active license.

The South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners oversees these regulations to ensure professionals stay current with clinical standards and patient safety practices. All CEUs must be relevant to respiratory care and contribute directly to clinical competency.

Official CEU Requirements

To remain compliant in South Carolina, respiratory therapists must meet the following:

  1. Total CEUs Required: 30 hours
  2. Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
  3. Governing Body: South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners 
  4. Approved Providers: American Association for Respiratory Care-accredited or board-approved sponsors

At least 15 hours must be directly related to patient care, while the remaining hours may include approved topics such as ethics or healthcare management.

Renewal Cycle and Deadlines

The renewal cycle runs from June 1 to May 31 every two years. All CEUs must be completed within this window to avoid a lapse in licensure.

To stay compliant:

  • Start earning CEUs at the beginning of the cycle
  • Complete all 30 hours before May 31
  • Submit your renewal application on time
  • Keep records for at least four years

What the 30 CEUs include:

  • At least 15 hours in direct patient care (e.g., ventilation, airway management, critical care)
  • Remaining hours in topics like ethics, patient safety, or healthcare updates
  • Must be AARC-accredited or board-approved

Format of CEUs:

  • Can be completed through self-study or online courses
  • Live/in-person courses are not required
  • Flexible learning options are accepted as long as they meet accreditation standards

Missing the deadline can result in a lapsed license and penalties, making early completion critical.

Approved CEU Providers

To meet South Carolina requirements, your CEUs must come from approved and accredited sources. TheCEPlace is an AARC-accredited provider, which means its courses meet the standards accepted by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners.

With TheCEPlace, your CEUs are:

  • Fully aligned with state requirements
  • Accepted for all required hours
  • Designed specifically for respiratory care professionals

Because all courses are AARC-approved and properly documented, you can complete your CEUs with confidence knowing they will be accepted without issues.

Explore and complete your South Carolina CEU bundle courses.

Do ACLS, PALS, and BLS Count Toward CE in South Carolina?

South Carolina respiratory therapists can apply specific life support certifications toward their continuing education requirements under strict board guidelines. The South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners RCP recognizes the clinical value of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Basic Life Support (BLS). However, there are limitations on how many of your 30 hours can be fulfilled through these certifications during a single SC RT license renewal cycle.

Accepted Uses:

  • ACLS and PALS: Up to 4 CEUs each per renewal cycle
  • BLS: Up to 2 CEUs
  • Must be issued by the American Heart Association
  • Initial certifications and renewals are both eligible

Limitations:

  • Cannot claim the same certification more than once per cycle
  • CEU hours must not exceed board-approved limits
  • Courses must be AHA-issued or AARC-accredited to count

These certifications only cover part of the required 30 CEUs, so additional AARC-accredited courses are needed to stay fully compliant.

Tracking Your CEUs with CE Broker and Audit Preparedness

South Carolina uses CE Broker as the official system to track respiratory therapist CEUs. The South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners requires all practitioners to report their hours through this platform, allowing the board to quickly verify compliance with the 30-hour requirement.

How It Works:

  • Account Setup: Create a Basic, Professional, or Concierge account on CE Broker
  • Course Completion: CEUs may be automatically reported or uploaded manually
  • Compliance Monitoring: Dashboard shows your completion status
  • Audit Review: The board checks your CE Broker transcript during audits

TheCEPlace helps simplify this process by providing AARC-approved courses with audit-ready certificates, making it easy to upload or verify your CEUs in CE Broker. This ensures your records are accurate, organized, and ready for review at any time.


Frequently Asked Questions

How many CEUs are required?
Respiratory therapists in South Carolina must complete 30 continuing education units every two years. These CEUs must come from AARC-accredited or board-approved providers to be valid for license renewal and ensure compliance with state requirements.

What is the renewal timeframe?
The South Carolina renewal cycle runs from June 1 to May 31 every two years. All 30 CEUs must be completed and recorded within this timeframe to count toward license renewal and remain valid.

What happens if I miss the deadline?
Missing the May 31 deadline results in a lapsed license. You may face late fees or additional requirements, and you cannot legally practice until your license is renewed and reinstated by the board.

Are self-study courses allowed?
Yes, South Carolina allows all 30 CEUs to be completed through AARC-accredited self-study courses. This provides a flexible option for respiratory therapists to meet requirements while managing busy schedules and work demands.

How do I fulfill my South Carolina Respiratory Therapist CEU Requirements?

TheCEPlace offers everything you need to easily fulfill your requirements for respiratory therapist CEUs in South Carolina. We provide the latest high-quality courses at affordable rates and ensure a stress-free process. 

Register, and we’ll recommend the number of CEUs South Carolina requires. Then select from our wide variety of AARC-approved courses and complete the test at your convenience. Don’t pass the test the first time? Repeat the test as many times as you need to achieve a passing score. Once you pass your test, you instantly gain access to a certificate to download for your records.

We make it easy for you to fulfill your CEU requirements so that you can focus on your career. To take the next step in your career development, contact us online or call 1-833-388-2600.