INSTRUCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE EXAMINATION (NCLEX) FOR
RN, LPN AND LPN BY EQUIVALENCY LICENSURE

APPLY ONLINE

GRADUATE NURSE TEMPORARY LICENSE INFORMATION

FOREIGN-EDUCATED APPLICANT INFORMATION

COMPACT STATE INFORMATION

EXAM INFORMATION:

Applicants must register with the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) by following the instructions contained in the Candidate Bulletin or visit the web at http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex to register online. Please be advised that all fees are non-refundable.

EXAM ATTEMPTS
An applicant who does not pass the licensure examination on the first attempt may retake the examination once every forty-five days for up to one year from the first attempt. You may not take more frequently.

An applicant who does not pass the examination within one year of the first examination shall provide evidence satisfactory to the board of remediation approved by the board before reexamination.

  • All remediation plans must be submitted to the Board office for approval prior to initiation. Failure to notify the Board may prevent the applicant from qualifying to repeat the examination.
An applicant who has not passed the National Council Licensure Examination within three years of graduation must re-qualify to take the examination by enrolling in an approved nursing education program and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and ability of a graduate nurse.

REPEAT EXAM APPLICATION PAGE

  • Verification of Legal Name: A license must be issued in the nurse's legal name as verified by a birth certificate or other legal document acceptable to the board. Examples of acceptable documents include a valid passport, vital statistics birth certificate (not hospital birth certificate), marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order approving legal name change.
  • Criminal Background Check (CBC): An applicant for a license to practice nursing in South Carolina shall be subject to a criminal history background check as defined in 40-33-25 of the Nursing Practice Act. The Board will send you instructions on how to have your fingerprints processed after your application is received.
    • If you are applying with an alien registration number, you will not be able to have your fingerprints processed until you obtain a social security number.

    EDUCATION

    IN-STATE GRADUATES:
    OUT OF STATE GRADUATES:
    • Have official transcripts sent directly to the SC Board of Nursing from the school of nursing where you graduated.
      The transcript must include:
      • All nursing courses applied to meet degree requirements;
      • date and type of degree awarded;
      • date of graduation;
      • registrar's signature; and
      • school seal.
      The transcript must document each nursing course accepted for transfer credit to meet the requirements for the nursing degree. If it does not, you must request an official transcript from each school where the nursing course credit was earned. If your school uses electronic transcripts, they may be emailed to nurseboard@llr.sc.gov or mailed to PO Box 12367, Columbia, SC 29211.

    GRADUATE NURSE TEMPORARY LICENSE INFORMATION

    An unlicensed graduate who has completed an accredited basic nursing education program, may be temporarily authorized to practice nursing under supervision pending their ability to complete NCLEX testing for a period of ninety (90) days.

    The graduate nurse must function under the supervision of a currently licensed registered nurse.

    § 40-33-36(D) In order to obtain licensure as a graduate nurse, a candidate must:

    • file a completed initial application for licensure by examination with the board and pay the associated fee;
    • have never taken and failed the NCLEX;
    • have registered to take the NCLEX with the examination administration service;
    • have no prior felony convictions and have no criminal charges pending; and
    • comply with Section 40-33-32 if the candidate is a foreign-educated graduate.

    WHILE AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE AS A GRADUATE NURSE, THE LICENSE CAN BE REVOKED IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCUR:

    • An applicant has failed the licensing exam;
    • When the board issues a permanent license to the graduate nurse, the temporary license type is canceled and the permanent license type is activated with the same license number;
    • The board denies a permanent license for the graduate nurse;
    • A complaint is filed against the graduate nurse alleging a violation of Chapter 33, Title 40 during the graduate nurse's temporary licensure period;
    • The graduate nurse misrepresents being a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse; or
    • The graduate nurse is charged with a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation, while authorized to practice as a graduate nurse. For the purposes of this subitem, a minor traffic violation does not include instances related in any way to driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or instances that result in the revocation or suspension of a graduate nurse's driver's license.
    • The graduate nurse has not taken the NCLEX within ninety (90) days of receiving a temporary license;
      • The Board may extend this time period if circumstances prevent the NCLEX from being offered during the period for which the temporary license has been granted. The licensee must provide a written explanation and obtain approval for a 30 day extension.

    FOREIGN-EDUCATED APPLICANT INFORMATION

    For detailed information on foreign educated applications, visit: https://llr.sc.gov/nurse/feducation.aspx. This process should be completed before making application with the SC Board of Nursing (SCBON) due to time constraints and should be sent directly to the SCBON.

    • You will need to submit a copy of your nursing license from country of original licensure.
    • You will need to request a Credential Evaluation Report to be sent directly to the SC Board of Nursing. Visit Credential Evaluation Services for more detailed information on service providers.
    • Foreign applicants whose native language is not English are required to take and pass an English proficiency examination. Visit English Proficiency for detailed information on service providers and a list of acceptable exemptions.
    ONLINE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

    • You will need the following documents to upload to your electronic application:
      • Copy of your valid driver's license, State issued ID, Passport or Military ID
      • Copy of Social Security card or Resident Alien Registration (For foreign applicants). If you apply with a Resident Alien Registration number, a social security card will be needed before the final license will be issued.
      • Notarized Signature Affidavit with 2 x 2 Color Passport Photo Form (Form is in Instructions and Forms package)
      • Proof of legal name: (vital statistics birth certificate (not hospital birth certificate), valid Passport, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order approving a legal name change)
      • Verification of Lawful Presence (Form is in Instructions and Forms package)
    1. Download and print these instructions and forms BEFORE beginning the online application. They will assist you throughout the application process.
      Instructions and Forms Package: https://llr.sc.gov/nurse/PDF/Exam_Instructions_Online_Package.pdf.
    2. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ONLINE APPLICATION
    3. NCLEX: Register/re-register to take the NCLEX by following the instructions contained in the Candidate Bulletin or visit the web at http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex to register online.

    COMPACT STATE INFORMATION

    South Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC allows a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse licensed in a Compact state to practice across state lines in another Compact state without having to obtain a license in the other state. It is important to remember that the NLC requires nurses to adhere to the nursing practice laws and rules of the state in which he/she practices under his/her Compact license. If a nurse moves from one state to another and establishes residency, the nurse must apply for licensure in that state. In the case of electronic nursing practice (telenursing), the nurse must adhere to the practice standards of the state in which the client receives care. Please visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website (www.ncsbn.org) for a list of states that have implemented the Compact.

    "Primary state of residence" as defined by the Compact means the "person's declared fixed permanent and principal home for legal purposes; domicile." Proof of primary residence may include but is not limited to:

      1. Driver's license with a home address;
      2. Voter registration card displaying a home address;
      3. Federal income tax return declaring the primary state of residence.
      4. Military Form # 2058- state of legal residence certificate; or
      5. W2 from US Government or any bureau, division or agency thereof indicating the declared state of residence.
    If your primary state of residence is another Compact State, you are not eligible for a South Carolina RN or LPN license with multi-state privileges. You will be issued a single state license. Your status will change to multi-state when a Declaration of Primary State of Residence Form is received with proof of SC residency.