South Carolina Nursing License: Lookup, Renewal, CE, and Fees

South Carolina belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a registered nurse who holds a multistate license issued by another compact state can practice in South Carolina under that license without applying for endorsement. A nurse coming from a state that is not part of the compact, or one who wants a South Carolina-issued license, must apply through endorsement instead.

Endorsement requires submitting verification of the current license through Nursys or other state verification, proof of identity, evidence of equivalent nursing education, and results of state and national fingerprint-based background checks, along with evidence of continued competency within the preceding two years. The fee is $100, or $110 if a temporary license is requested while the application is processed. South Carolina does not require a separate state law or jurisprudence exam for licensure by endorsement.

South Carolina requires graduation from an approved school of nursing before licensure; the board does not restrict eligibility by credential level, so diploma, associate degree, and bachelor's degree nursing programs are all accepted if approved. Candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN; the state does not require a separate jurisprudence or law exam for initial licensure. Foreign-educated applicants must also complete a credentials evaluation and an approved English proficiency exam before applying.