South Carolina Architect CE Requirements (2026): 24 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
The South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners (part of LLR) requires 24 continuing education hours (CEH) each biennial licensure period under S.C. Code Regs. §11-8.1. Every one of the 24 hours must address the public's health, safety and welfare (HSW) — technical and professional subjects that directly safeguard HSW. One CEH equals 50 minutes.
The reporting period runs July 1 through June 30. There is no carry-over of hours into the next biennial licensure period, although hours may be applied within the current period. A first-time registrant by examination is exempt for the first renewal, and military, hardship, and emeritus exemptions are also available.
The Board relies on a compliance affidavit with random audits, so retain your proof of participation for two years after submission. Verify current details with the Board before relying on any course.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) | 24 | Every renewal | All 24 CEH per biennial licensure period must be in topics related to the public's health, safety and welfare — technical and professional subjects that directly safeguard HSW. One CEH equals 50 minutes. |
Exemptions
- First-Time New Registrant By Examination — A first-time new registrant by examination is exempt from the continuing education requirement for the first renewal.
- Active Military Duty — Registrants on active military duty may be granted an exemption.
- Hardship — Board-recognized hardship cases may be granted an exemption.
- Emeritus — Emeritus registrants may be exempt from the continuing education requirement.
How You Can Complete Your CE
South Carolina CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to South Carolina that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- All 24 CEH per biennial licensure period must be in health, safety and welfare (HSW) topics; one CEH equals 50 minutes.
- The reporting period runs July 1 through June 30 on a biennial cycle.
- No carry-over of hours into the next biennial licensure period is permitted, though hours may be applied within the current period.
- Registrants must retain proof of fulfillment for two years after submission in case the compliance affidavit is selected for audit.
Tips for South Carolina Architects
- Every hour must be HSW — South Carolina has no allowance for non-HSW hours, so a general business or software course will not count toward the 24.
- Remember the 50-minute CEH: one continuing education hour equals 50 minutes of instruction when you tally credit.
- Plan around the July 1-June 30 reporting period rather than the calendar year, and finish before renewal since unused hours do not carry into the next biennium.
- First-time registrants by examination are exempt for their first renewal; confirm your first compliance period with the Board before counting courses.
- Keep your certificates or sponsor-verified attendance records for two years after you submit your affidavit, in case you are selected for audit.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners (LLR)'s official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Jul 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.