The Official Web Site of the State of South Carolina

You can file a complaint and submit applications for licensing online. Filings you do not wish to make, or that are not available, online can be submitted via mail for processing.

Department staff is available to assist with any questions at (800) 922-1594 (toll free in SC) or 803-734-4200 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. You can also email general questions to scdca@scconsumer.gov. 

 

Licensing

Background

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is the administrator and enforcer of the law governing consumer credit transactions and also has responsibility for approximately fifteen industries.  Review the descriptions below for basic information about the industries required to be licensed or registered. Click on the industry name to learn more.

Need to file with DCA? Click to access the new online licensing system. 

Businesses/Regulated Industries required to be licensed or registered

Industry Type Description
Athlete Agents Contracts with a student-athlete or recruits or solicits a student-athlete to enter into an agency contract.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities Provides lodging along with nursing, medical, or other health-related services to people 65 years of age or older.   Includes independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. 
Credit Counselors Offers to improve credit rating, reduce debt, or eliminate debt. Includes credit repair, debt consolidation, debt management, debt negotiation, debt settlement, foreclosure assistance, and loan modification.
Discount Medical Plan Organizations Offers discount programs for health care services with participating providers (doctors, pharmacies, etc.). Does not include insurance.
Earned Wage Access Providers Provides consumer-directed wage access services or employer-integrated wage access services, or both.
Mortgage Brokers Brings a borrower and mortgage lender together. Includes loan correspondents and third-party loan processors and underwriters.
Motor Clubs Offers memberships for motor club services or reimbursement for motor club services including towing, emergency roadside, emergency travel expense, travel, guaranteed hotel/motel rates, new car pricing, etc.
Pawnbrokers Lends money for goods or personal property that may be redeemed or repurchased at a later date.
Physical Fitness Service Providers Includes personal trainers, gyms, health or exercise centers, clubs, studios, or classes; health spas; weight control centers, tanning centers; and athletic or sport clubs.
Preneed Funeral Contract Providers Sells contracts for purpose of: (1) performing funeral services for, or (2) providing merchandise or services in connection with the final disposition of, a person who is alive at the time of the contract.
Prepaid Legal  Offers contracts for legal services or reimbursement for legal services for a predetermined, specific, periodic (ie: monthly) fee.
Professional Employer Organizations Shares employment responsibilities with a client company that outsources certain tasks to the PEO (ie: payroll, benefits, recruiting, training and insurance services).
Registered Creditors

Credit Grantor Notification  
Makes consumer credit sales, leases, loans, or rental-purchase agreements (rent-to-own); or takes assignment of rights against debtors arising from these transactions.

Maximum Rate Schedules
Charges an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) in excess of 18% on consumer credit sales or consumer loans.

Motor Vehicle Dealers
All DCA filings related to motor vehicle dealers.