The Consumer Credit Counseling Act requires that organizations providing or offering the following services, and certain employees of the organizations, must be licensed:

1. Receiving money from a consumer to distribute it among the consumer’s creditors; (Debt Management Plans)
2. Improving or offering to improve a consumer's credit record, history, or rating; (i.e. Credit Repair, etc.)
3. Negotiating to defer or reduce a consumer’s obligations with respect to credit extended by others. (Debt Negotiation/ Settlement, Foreclosure Assistance, etc.)

The licensing renewal cycle runs from September 1st through December 1st.

Licenses issued before August 31st are valid on receipt through December 31st this year. Licenses issued after August 31st are valid through December of the following year.

Contact Information

• Carri Grube Lybarker
  Staff Attorney
  (803) 734-4297
• Darlene Dinkins
  Program Coordinator
  (803) 734-4209
• Fax: (803) 734-4229

Consumer Credit Counseling Laws

• Consumer Credit Counseling Act
• Fees: Final Regulations (PDF) (MS Word)

Disciplinary Actions

• SCDCA v. Michael S. Smith, d/b/a Smith Financial Services; d/b/a Smith Company; d/b/a Credit Correctors
• SCDCA v. Clear Credit, LLC and Michael D. Lovett
• SCDCA v. Debt Relief of America, LPSCDCA v. Clean Credit USA, Inc.
• SCDCA v. Rescue Debt, Inc.

Application Information

• Forms
• South Carolina Criminal Background Checks (PDF) (MS Word)
• Frequently Asked Questions

Continuing Professional Education Information

• Continuing Professional Education (PDF)
• Panel Members
• Panel Application (PDF) (MS Word)
• Approved Providers (PDF) (MS Word)
• May 2006 Seminar - DVD Order Information

Annual Report Information - Due Annually by April 15th

• Annual Report Instructions (PDF) (MS Word)
• Annual Report Form (PDF) (MS Word)

Other

• Roundtable Application (PDF) (MS Word)
• Publications
• Licensed Organizations (PDF) (Disclaimer)
• Palmetto Affordable Housing Forum Presentations
• 2007 Credit Counseling Report