Last Updated: April 2026
If you are planning to practice nursing in South Carolina, the most important thing to understand is that the state considers facility orientation to be the active practice of nursing. Your South Carolina nursing license or temporary permit must be fully issued before you attend classroom training, policy reviews, or clinical shadowing on day one.
Because South Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact member, you can easily practice in major healthcare hubs like Charleston, Columbia, or Greenville if you hold an active multistate license. However, if you are relocating permanently, managing a South Carolina nursing license renewal, or applying by endorsement, you must transition your credentials through the state’s LLR Online Services portal to avoid compliance delays.
As a dedicated service for clinicians taking future assignments with Advantis Medical, our licensing experts provide 1-on-1 support to reduce stress and shorten processing times.
We’ll help you quickly get your SC license & connect you to top contracts in the state.
Our licensing specialists are your partners in navigating the complexities of state licensing so you can move forward with confidence. From understanding state requirements to submitting documentation, our team works closely with you to keep the process simple, organized, and efficient.
PO Box 12367
Columbia, SC 29211
All licensing transactions are managed by the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR) through its centralized online portal.
Licensure by Endorsement (RN/LPN): $100 ($110 with temporary permit)
Licensure by Examination (RN): $90 ($100 with temporary permit)
Licensure by Examination (LPN): $70 ($80 with temporary permit)
License Renewal: $75
Reinstatement Fee (Lapsed less than 5 years): $135
Reinstatement Fee (Lapsed 5 or more years): $145
Criminal Background Check (CBC) Fee: $51.75
Fees vary and are subject to change. Always verify the most current pricing directly with the Board of Nursing.
A South Carolina State nursing license renewal occurs every two years and is tied to a fixed statewide calendar. All RN and LPN licenses expire on April 30th of every even-numbered year, regardless of when your license was first issued. To protect your ability to work, ensure your renewal is submitted early, as the Board does not offer a grace period for practice once the deadline passes.
South Carolina offers a flexible competence model that respects different professional paths. You can satisfy your requirements through any one of the following four pathways:
Renewals submitted after April 30th of even years will be subject to reinstatement requirements and additional fees.
If you hold an active nursing license in another U.S. state and are moving your permanent home to South Carolina, you will apply for a South Carolina nursing license by endorsement. This path allows the Board to verify your existing credentials and issue a state-specific license while you establish your new residency.
You may apply for a sixty (60) day temporary license to practice nursing in SC while your application is being
processed.
The fingerprinting step is a common cause of licensing delays because South Carolina uses a reactive process. Rather than getting your prints done ahead of time, you must submit your application first and wait for the Board to review it. Once processed, the Board will email you a specific authorization code and instructions for IdentoGO. Do not attempt to schedule an appointment before receiving this code, as the state will not be able to link the results to your file.
Applications are processed (reviewed) in the order they are received.
Once approved, your South Carolina license will be issued and visible in the license lookup system.
New graduates must apply via examination and pass the NCLEX to receive their initial South Carolina RN license.
Application Fee: $90
NCLEX Exam Fee: $200
Successful travel nursing in South Carolina depends on understanding the difference between onboarding and active practice. Because the state considers orientation to be the practice of nursing, your license or temporary permit must be active before you attend orientation or training. This includes time spent in classrooms, reviewing hospital policies, or attending clinical orientations.
Coastal hubs like Charleston and Myrtle Beach see significant seasonal demand, while large academic systems like MUSC and Prisma Health require steady contract support year-round. If you are coming from another compact state with a multistate license, you can hit the ground running immediately. With licensing handled, you can start exploring travel nursing jobs in South Carolina and find assignments that match your experience.
Explore our travel nurse jobs in South Carolina to find your next great assignment.
Yes. South Carolina law considers any hospital orientation, classroom instruction, or policy review to be the active practice of nursing. You must have a valid license or temporary permit before your first day of orientation to remain compliant with Board regulations.
To complete your South Carolina RN license renewal, you must demonstrate continued competency through one of four pathways: 30 hours of CE, national certification, academic coursework, or employer verification. These activities are tracked and verified via CE Broker.
Submit your application through the LLR portal. Once submitted, wait for the Board to email your fingerprinting authorization code. You must also request license verification through Nursys and upload notarized identity forms, including the photo affidavit.
All RN and LPN licenses in South Carolina expire on April 30 of even-numbered years. There is no grace period for practice, so your renewal must be fully processed by the deadline to avoid a mandatory work stoppage.
Nurses holding an active multistate license from another compact state can practice in South Carolina immediately without applying for a separate state license. However, if your primary residence is in a non-compact state, you must apply for a South Carolina license by endorsement.
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