S.C. Code Ann. § 40-75-240: Associate licenses.

A professional counselor associate license, marriage and family therapy associate license, or addiction counselor associate license must be issued to an applicant who has satisfied the educational requirements, as specified by the board in regulation, for licensure but who has not yet completed the supervision or experience requirements and has passed the examination required for licensure. An associate who has not completed the requirements for licensure within two years may apply to the board for an extension.