ESA Letter South Carolina: How to Get It and ESA Laws in South Carolina

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  • ESA Letter South Carolina: How to Get It and ESA Laws in South Carolina

By: Ivana Crnec, DVM Updated: January 17, 2025

emotional support animal in south carolina. picture of downtown south carolina

An ESA letter in South Carolina is a legal document confirming a person’s need for an emotional support animal (ESA). 

A licensed professional must write the letter and suggest an ESA as a treatment form for qualifying mental health or emotional conditions.  

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects emotional support animals on a federal level. However, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) does not cover ESAs, and South Carolina ESA laws do not give them public access or workplace rights. South Carolina does not have state-specific ESA laws. 

ESAs do not need special training, nor official registration or certification. The ESA letter is the only document necessary to obtain an emotional support animal in South Carolina.

What is the Importance of ESA Letters for South Carolina Residents?

The importance of ESA letters for South Carolina residents is to ensure legal protection for their emotional support animals. A valid ESA letter provides rights that are not applicable to regular pets. 

The primary federal law protecting emotional support animals is the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA allows ESAs to live in rentals with no-pet policies and exempts owners from paying pet rents and pet fees. 

The ESA letter South Carolina does not give the ESA travel rights, workplace benefits, or public places access, but many airlines, employers, and public properties make exceptions. 

South Carolina owners must obtain their ESA letters from mental health professionals licensed, or other qualified health care providers in the state. People new to the state are allowed to use previous ESA letters until their expiration and then have them renewed in South Carolina. 

The emotional support animal letter in South Carolina protects ESA owners from discrimination specifically when it comes to housing. 

Why Get an Emotional Support Animal in South Carolina?

Get an emotional support animal in South Carolina to experience personal mental or emotional health benefits. 

An emotional support animal (ESA) is any animal that provides the owner with comfort, safety, and companionship. ESAs are not trained to complete specific tasks, and owners benefit from their mere presence. 

Emotional support animals are considered assistance animals and are protected under certain federal and state laws. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) are the main emotional support animal laws. 

The benefits of ESAs are emotional and physical. Pets help reduce anxiety while offering love, support, and companionship, says the Healthy Minds Monthly Poll conducted by APA (American Psychiatric Association) in March 2023. 

Pets encourage owners to participate in daily walks and exercise, promoting physical health benefits, according to a study, “The Role of Dogs in Maintaining Health and Quality of Life,” published in Geosport for Society in 2023.

Clinicians, like therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric mental health nurses licensed in South Carolina, are allowed to recommend ESAs and issue ESA letters. 

An emotional support animal can be an important part of the holistic treatment approach for people with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, cognitive deficits, autism, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia, and phobias.

Is ESA Registration in South Carolina Required?

No, ESA registration in South Carolina is not required. The need for ESA registration or ESA certification is a popular misconception. 

Official ESA registries and certificates do not exist and are not legally valid. Companies and websites offering free emotional support animal registration South Carolina or free certification are likely to be scams. 

The only required and legally valid document is the ESA letter. ESA letters, written by licensed mental health professionals, are credible in all states. 

How do ESA Letters in South Carolina differ from other States?

ESA letters in South Carolina do not differ from other states. Mental health professionals with active licenses write ESA letters in all states. 

Some states require a 30-day relationship between the ESA candidate and LMHP before the ESA letter is issued, but South Carolina does not have such requirements. 

The process of getting ESA letters in every state is similar, and letters from different states are the same. The only difference is in the scope of rights ESAs have at a state level.    

South Carolina does not have state-specific ESA laws, meaning emotional support animals are protected by federal laws exclusively, such as the Fair Housing Act (FHA). 

What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in South Carolina?

The specific emotional support animal laws in South Carolina are listed below. 

  • South Carolina ESA Housing Laws: The Fair Housing Act (FHA) ensures owners are allowed to live with ESAs in rental properties regardless of their specific pet policies and free of additional charges, such as pet rent, fees, and deposits. South Carolina landlords are obligated to provide ESAs with reasonable accommodation under the FHA. 
  • South Carolina ESA Employment Laws: Employers are not legally required to accept emotional support animals in the workplace. South Carolina ESA laws do not protect ESAs in the workplace, and their rights are at the sole discretion of the employer. Many employers permit ESAs if they are not disobedient and distractive. 
  • South Carolina ESA Laws for Public Places: Federal and state emotional support animal laws do not grant ESAs free public access. Different public places have unique pet codes, and ESA owners must adhere to the rules. 
  • South Carolina ESA Travel Laws: South Carolina laws on emotional support animals do not protect ESAs, but they are allowed to travel with airlines with pet-friendly policies.  The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) covered ESAs, but now it is only for service animals.

Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in South Carolina?

Yes, getting an ESA letter online is legal in South Carolina. ESA letters are lawful as long as licensed mental health professionals, or other authorized health care providers in the state write them. 

ESA candidates have the option of choosing between in-person or online LMHP consultations. The online method is faster and more convenient. Online ESA services schedule phone or video consults with telehealth platforms. 

Always ensure the online ESA service is legit. Scam websites offer fake ESA letters. Intentional ESA misrepresentation in South Carolina is subject to fines and penalties. 

Can a landlord reject an ESA in South Carolina?

Yes, a landlord can reject an ESA in South Carolina only in specific circumstances.Typically, landlords must provide emotional support animals with reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which states that emotional support animals are allowed to live in rentals with no-pet codes and do not have to pay pet rent or pet fees. 

Landlords in South Carolina are permitted to deny housing only if the ESAs are dangerous to other tenants, cause property damage, or pose significant financial or administrative burdens. 

ESA owners must have valid ESA letters and ensure their support animals are well-behaved. Landlords have the right to request an ESA letter but are not allowed to ask questions about the person’s mental diagnosis.  

Can you have Multiple Emotional Support Animals in South Carolina?

Yes, you can have multiple emotional support animals in South Carolina. The state does not restrict the number of ESAs per owner. 

Residents in South Carolina are permitted to have as many ESAs as an LMHP sees necessary. Mental health professionals sometimes recommend more than one ESA to people with different mental or emotional disabilities. 

South Carolina landlords are obliged to provide reasonable accommodation to ESAs, but having several ESAs is likely to be unreasonable for some. Too many emotional support animals are an undue financial burden, allowing landlords to deny housing to people with multiple ESAs. 

How to Get an ESA Letter in South Carolina?

The indicative steps on how to get an ESA Letter in South Carolina are listed below. These are suggested steps as to how the process can work outside of CertaPet. 

  1. Consult a Licensed Professional. If an individual is already being treated by a licensed mental health professional, or other health care provider, they should consult with them about the possibility of adding an ESA as part of their treatment plan.  If a person is not seeing a licensed professional, they can look for one. Search for a mental health practitioner, or other authorized healthcare provider (physician, physician assistant) licensed in South Carolina. As a reminder, these professionals are the only individuals allowed to write an ESA Letter in South Carolina. They can assess a patient’s mental health status and determine whether the applicant qualifies for an ESA.
  2. Request an ESA letter. Approval for an ESA letter depends on the licensed professional's assessment of a patient’s mental health status and whether an ESA is the right fit for the person’s treatment plan. Personal pets are allowed to become ESAs when recognized as a part of an individual's therapeutic plan.
  3. Receive the ESA Letter. Once approved, receive the ESA letter in a hard copy or a printable PDF version. The hard copy is available upon request and delivered within a few days, while the electronic version is immediately accessible. 

Get an ESA letter through CertaPet in three steps. First, answer the questions in the screening test to confirm the ESA letter South Carolina eligibility. Second, get in touch with a mental health professional licensed in South Carolina. Third, receive the South Carolina ESA letter in the email’s inbox or to the home address. 

What are the Advantages of Getting an ESA Letter in South Carolina through CertaPet?

The advantages of getting an ESA letter in South Carolina through CertaPet are listed below. 

  • Stress-Free Process: CertaPet offers a smooth experience for applicants requesting  ESA approval. The procedure is simple and entails three straightforward steps. 
  • Fast Turnaround Time: CertaPet’s LMHPs contact the applicant within two business days to schedule appointments and issue letters to approved candidates immediately. 
  • Legitimate Documents: ESA letters obtained through CertaPet are legally valid since they are written by LMHPs and in accordance with state and federal laws. 
  • Peace of Mind: Get an ESA letter online through CertaPet and enjoy the benefits. Rest assured, the ESA letter is valid, and the ESA’s rights are legally protected.  

CertaPet's Quick and Easy Process for ESA Letters

  1. Free online assessment. A quick online screening test determines whether an ESA is a good fit for the applicant. The test is free of charge and takes only a few minutes. 
  2. Consult with a therapist. CertaPet automatically searches for a mental health professional licensed in South Carolina with whom a patient will conduct their teleconsultations from the comfort of your own home. 
  3. Get your ESA Letter. The CertaPet ESA letter provided by the LMHP is accessible online or is mailed directly to your address. 

CertaPet Free Screening Test

Take our free screening test and find out in as little as 5 minutes. 

Do ESA Letters in South Carolina need to be Renewed Annually?

Yes, ESA letters in South Carolina need to be renewed annually. ESA letter renewal is important for updating a person’s medical record and protecting the ESA’s rights. 

Valid and updated ESA letters are required for ESAs to maintain housing and travel benefits. Landlords and travel providers are allowed to deny emotional support animals with expired ESA letters. 

The ESA letter renewal can be fast and straightforward. Contact the LMHP who wrote the letter (in person or via the online service) or schedule an appointment with a new clinician. 

ESA letters in South Carolina are valid for 12 months. Residents have the right to apply for ESA letter renewal one month before the expiration date. 

How to Avoid Online Scams in ESA Letters in South Carolina?

The instructions on how to avoid online scams in ESA letters in South Carolina are given below. 

  1. Read about the ESA Service. Check various online services offering ESA letters to find a reliable option. Reading reviews gives a first-hand insight into the service’s reputation. 
  2. Compare ESA Letter Prices. Consider the price of the ESA letter. Legit ESA services have a network of LMHPs, which has a cost. Cheap ESA letters are likely to be fake.  
  3. Check the ESA Letter Information. A legit ESA letter must be written on the LMHP’s letterhead and contain the practitioner’s info, like name, contact, and credentials. 
  4. Confirm the LMHP’s Credentials. Use the contact information provided and call the mental health professional to ensure the South Carolina license is valid. 
  5. Have Logical Expectations. ESA letters are valid for one year and protect emotional support animals under the FHA. Websites claiming otherwise are scams. 
  6. Stay away from Registration. Free emotional support animal certification or registration is not legally required or is not a valid step and is often offered by scam ESA businesses. 

CertaPet is a legitimate online ESA service that facilitates the process of obtaining ESA letters. The business collaborates with mental health professionals licensed in various states and offers letters that comply with federal and state laws.  

author avatar
Ivana Crnec, DVM Veterinarian
Ivana Crnec got her veterinary degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bitola. She then continued her education at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb, Croatia, where she specialized in domestic carnivores.

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