The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education authorizes licenses for non-public postsecondary educational institutions operating and soliciting in South Carolina. The CHE licenses degree- and non-degree-granting institutions, and licensure is required for both sites and programs. The CHE is the sole authority for licensing non-public educational institutions established in South Carolina, and for those established elsewhere which want to operate in or confer degrees in this state.

Law, Regulations and Exemptions

• Nonpublic Postsecondary Institution License Act, SC Code Sections 59-58-10 through 59-58-140 (PDF)
• CHE Regulations 62-1 through 62-28 Governing Nonpublic Institutions (PDF)
• Explanation of Exemption for Institutions Whose Sole Purpose is Religious or Theological Training (PDF)
• Exemption of SC Independent Institutions December 2024 (PDF)
• Fines and Fees Report – Proviso 117.74 Fiscal Year 2022/23 (PDF) 

Licensing Procedures

• Procedures for Non-Degree Institutions (PDF)
• Procedures for Degree Granting Institutions (PDF)
• Agent Permit Application (PDF)
• Student Complaint Procedures and Form (PDF)
• Requesting Education Verification and Transcripts from Closed Institutions (PDF) 

Request Application for New Licenses

To request an application for licensure please contact a member of the licensing staff at (803) 737-2260 or e-mail your request to licensing@che.sc.gov. Please provide the following information:

• Your name, school name and location e-mail address (preferable) OR address to which the packet should be mailed
• Whether your school is a degree-granting or non-degree-granting institution
• The curriculum titles
• A telephone number where you can be reached.

Pay Licensing Fees Online

• Nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions can pay their licensing fees at: https://sc.accessgov.com/commissiononhighereducation/Forms/Page/commissiononhighereducation/nonpublic-postsecondary-institution-license (External link)

Licensing - Frequently Asked Questions

• Licensing FAQs for Institutions (PDF)
• Licensing FAQs for Students (PDF)

Directory of CHE Licensed Non-Public Postsecondary Institutions

• CHE Licensed Non-Public Postsecondary Institutions List (PDF)
• Directory of Licensed Non-Degree (Occupational Training) Institutions as of 5/16/2023 (PDF)
• Directory of Institutions Licensed to Recruit SC Residents (PDF)
• Postsecondary Institutions No Longer Operating In SC (PDF) (CHE does not retain information on or records for Pre-K - High Schools.)
• Directory of Massage Therapy Programs (PDF) 

SC State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) for Distance Courses and Programs 

About SC SARA

South Carolina is a member state the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which allows distance program enrollment between participating institutions in member states. This voluntary agreement establishes comparable standards for interstate offerings of postsecondary distance education. Participation is limited to accredited degree-granting institutions. The CHE is designated as the state portal entity for SC SARA and is responsible for the coordination of all SARA activities for the state.

• CHE SC SARA Procedures, Eligibility Requirements and Appleals (PDF)
• SACSCOC Institution Closure
• Memorandum of Understanding

Pay SC SARA Fees Online

• Visit: https://sc.accessgov.com/commissiononhighereducation/Forms/Page/commissiononhighereducation/sc-sara-state-fee (External link)