How to get a single-state Registered Nurse (RN) license in South Carolina

South Carolina registered nurse licenses

South Carolina issues 3 registered nurse credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Rules shared by several license levels

These rules are the same for several of the South Carolina registered nurse licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Every license level except Volunteer license (retired nurse)

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old¹

Education or training

Complete all graduation requirements of a nursing education program approved by the state or U.S. jurisdiction where it is located.¹
Who may teach it: Approved by the board of the state where the program is located. South Carolina RN programs must meet the criteria of S.C. Code Regs. 91-11.⁴
Alternative: Foreign-educated applicants whose education is not verified as equivalent can qualify by completing a supplemental course prescribed by the Board and then passing the NCLEX.¹

Exam

NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination)¹
Given by: NCLEX is run by its governing body (NCSBN), and you follow its registration procedures as well as the Board's.¹
When you can take it: The Board admits you to the exam once it has the completed application, a signed and dated 2" x 2" photo, the fee, proof of identity and age (18+), your Social Security card or permanent resident card, and proof that you completed all graduation requirements of an approved program. Applications are valid for one year.¹
Retakes: After a fail you may retake no more often than once every 45 days, for up to one year from the first attempt. After a year without passing, Board-approved remediation is required. If you have not passed within three years of graduation, you must re-enroll in an approved program to requalify. Retest fee: $65.¹

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
SLED and FBI fingerprint checks are paid by the applicant. A license may not be denied based solely on a prior criminal record, but the Board may deny on the same grounds it uses for discipline.¹

Social Security number

Submit a copy of your Social Security card or permanent resident card. A resident alien without an SSN must have an alien identification number. Multistate status requires a valid U.S. SSN.¹

Also required

A signed and dated 2" x 2" photograph goes with the application.¹

Also required

Internationally educated applicants need a CGFNS certificate or another Board-approved credentials evaluation. Applicants whose native language is not English need TOEFL/TWE/TSE (or another Board-approved test), verification of their original license, and must become licensed within three years of first taking the NCLEX, or else requalify by enrolling in an approved program.¹

Also required

Credit is not given for unapproved correspondence courses or for work experience in place of an approved program.¹

Also required

Licensed nurses must wear a legible name badge (at least 1" x 3") showing name and licensed title.¹

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Check residency: a South Carolina multistate license needs South Carolina as your primary state of residence. If you live in another compact state, license there. If you live in a non-compact state, you get a South Carolina-only license.¹
2. Apply to the SC Board of Nursing (LLR) for license by examination with a signed and dated 2" x 2" photo, the $90 fee, proof of identity and age, and a copy of your SSN or permanent resident card. The application is valid one year.¹
3. Complete the SLED/FBI fingerprint criminal records check if required (cost paid by you).¹
4. Register for the NCLEX-RN following the testing body's procedures. If eligible, ask for a graduate nurse temporary license so you can work under RN supervision before testing.¹
5. Pass the NCLEX-RN. The Board then issues the license in your legal name.¹

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary or limited licenses ($10): graduate nurse (before NCLEX, under RN supervision), endorsement pending (up to 60 days), and refresher-course participants (up to 90 days).¹

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

When it expires

Renewal is every two years: submit the renewal form and fee. A license not renewed on time is deemed lapsed at the close of the renewal period, and you may not practice until reinstated.¹

Renewal fee

$75² (Biennial renewal of an active RN license)

Continuing education

At least 30 hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

No mandatory subjects are set in statute for active renewal. A course in legal aspects approved by the Board is required with the 30-hour CE option when reinstating a license lapsed or inactive for five years or less.¹

Approved courses

CE must come from a continuing education provider recognized by the Board. Alternatives to CE: certification by a Board-recognized national certifying body, a Board-recognized academic program, or employer certification of competency and hours on a Board form.¹

Exemptions

Licensees on active military duty are exempt from CE while serving (all Title 40 professions).³

Late renewal

Reinstatement fee: $60² (reinstating a lapsed license)
Reinstatement fee: $50² (returning from official inactive status to active)
Reinstatement fee: $150² (reinstatement of a license after discipline)
Official Inactive Status: $15² (placing a license on official inactive status)
License verification to another state: $5²
Name change only on records: $0²
Returned check charge: $30²

If it expires

Keep proof of competency for at least four years. If audited, produce it within five business days, or the license is immediately suspended or canceled pending compliance.¹
Lapsed or inactive five years or less: within the preceding two years, 30 CE hours plus a legal-aspects course, national certification, an academic program, employer-verified competency, or a refresher course. More than five years: a refresher course or passing the NCLEX within the preceding two years.¹
Inactive status (fee $15) is for licensees who do not meet the competency requirement or wish to retire temporarily. No renewal fees are due while inactive, but you may not practice. Reinstatement needs an application, the reinstatement fee and proof of competency.¹

From another state

Who needs a single-state Registered Nurse (RN) license

Work that does not need this license:

• Not prohibited: family/gratuitous care, emergency assistance, students in approved programs, an out-of-state nurse accompanying a patient for one engagement of up to six months, and out-of-state nurses employed by the U.S. government on official duty. Telehealth: a nurse located elsewhere who serves a recipient in South Carolina needs an SC license (or a compact privilege).¹

Requirements for a single-state Registered Nurse (RN) license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Residency or citizenship

A single-state license (valid only in South Carolina) is for applicants who do not live in a compact state. A multistate holder who moves from a party state to a non-party state has the multistate license converted to a single-state license.¹

Renewal and continuing education

Multistate Registered Nurse (RN) license

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

A South Carolina multistate license requires South Carolina to be your primary state of residence (home state), plus all the NLC uniform requirements, including a valid U.S. Social Security number.¹

Also required

Multistate license conditions (NLC): NCLEX passed; active, unencumbered license; fingerprints for an FBI and state records check; no felony conviction; no nursing-related misdemeanour (judged case by case); not in an alternative program; valid U.S. SSN. You may hold a multistate license in only one party state at a time.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Volunteer license

Unpaid nursing services through one Board-approved charitable organization only.¹

Requirements

Education or training

At least 25 clock hours¹
At least 25 hours of initial training with the charitable organization.¹
Who may teach it: Training with the one specific charitable organization approved by the Board where you will volunteer.¹

Experience

At least 25 years¹
Granted official inactive status, with at least 25 years of practice (or practice until age 65 after at least 15 years), and on the inactive list for no more than ten years.¹

Also required

The license is not transferable and allows nursing services only without pay of any kind. You need a separate application and license for each charitable organization.¹

How to apply

1. Be on official inactive status, then file a written application to the Board naming the approved charitable organization, with evidence of the 25 hours of initial training.¹

Renewal

How often

Every year¹

When it expires

Renewed annually with the same charitable organization, on showing continued competency or at least 25 hours of service or extra training per year. It must be renewed without interruption.¹

Continuing education

At least 25 clock hours each renewal period¹

From another state

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• S.C. Code Title 40 ch. 33 (Nurse Practice Act), incl. 40-33-25, -30, -32, -35, -36, -37, -38, -40, -41
• S.C. Code 40-33-1300 to -1365 (Nurse Licensure Compact)
• S.C. Code 40-1-610 to -630
• S.C. Code Regs. 10-25, amended eff. June 26, 2015
• S.C. Code Regs. ch. 91 (State Board of Nursing), incl. 91-31
• S.C. Code 40-33-37 (volunteer licenses)

Common questions

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