South Carolina Behavioral health Complaint Route

Authority and scope

Check the license and concern

Choose the actual credential: the Psychology Board regulates psychologists; the Social Work Board regulates bachelor’s, master’s and independent social workers; the Counselors Board covers professional counselors, marriage/family therapists, addiction counselors and psycho-educational specialists. These boards share LLR intake. Use the medical or nursing guide for a psychiatrist or psychiatric advanced-practice nurse.

Supporting guidance: Psychology Board ↗Social Work Board ↗Counselors Board ↗Health Professions complaint form ↗

Match the route to the credential

Use the license listed in the practitioner's records or official license lookup. A psychiatrist is a physician; psychiatric nurses have nursing credentials. Some psychologists have prescribing authority, so medication alone does not identify the licensing board.

Choose the right licensing authority

Psychologists — Psychology Board

LLR intake; select Psychology.

Open this official route ↗

Social workers — Social Work Board

LLR intake; select Social Work.

Open this official route ↗

Counselors, MFTs and addiction counselors — Counselors Board

LLR intake; select Counselors; also covers psycho-educational specialists.

Open this official route ↗

Submission

How the official source says to file

Use the licensed- or unlicensed-practice option on LLR’s complaint page, or the Health Professions paper form. Its profession checkboxes expressly include Counselors, Psychology and Social Work. One complaint ordinarily suffices for the same person’s multiple licenses.
Identify the clinician, practice, patient relationship, dates and witnesses. Explain events clearly and include relevant document copies; submitted materials are not returned. Sign and date the paper declaration. Keep your own complete copy.
If withholding your identity is necessary, submit the signed Good Cause Explanation with the complaint. Ask LLR about patient or representative authorization before supplying someone else’s sensitive treatment records.

Supporting guidance: LLR complaint instructions ↗Health Professions complaint form ↗

Limits

What this route may not provide

LLR investigates licensing violations and unlicensed practice. It cannot award restitution or act as your civil or criminal lawyer. For a facility or program concern, ask which agency regulates the organization separately from its individual clinicians.

Supporting guidance: LLR complaint instructions ↗

Anonymity

Do not guess about confidentiality

Anonymous reports are accepted but may be harder to investigate and receive no updates. LLR generally gives the subject the complaint and complainant’s name. A good-cause request can be denied; even when the name is withheld, complaint materials may go to the subject. Investigations are confidential, while public disciplinary orders are available.

Supporting guidance: LLR complaint instructions ↗Health Professions complaint form ↗

Complaint timing

Ask promptly; answer LLR’s follow-up request

A filing deadline was not established by this check. LLR says requested intake information must arrive within 10 business days or a case will not be opened; this is not an incident-to-filing deadline.

Supporting guidance: LLR complaint instructions ↗

Process

What may happen after filing

Investigators collect information for the investigative review committee and board. The board may dismiss, settle discipline by consent, or proceed to a hearing. Complainants receive an outcome notice but are not parties and cannot appeal the board’s decision.

Supporting guidance: LLR complaint instructions ↗

Evidence

Prepare a reviewable submission

State the concern you want reviewed, give a short chronology and factual consequences, and explain your request. Keep supporting records and follow the receiving authority’s instructions before attaching or sending them.