Foreign Educated Nurses South Carolina Board of Nursing

Foreign-educated applicants seeking licensure by examination must meet the following requirements:

Education & Credentials

• The applicant’s general and nursing education must be equivalent to the level of graduates from South Carolina nursing education programs.
• Educational credentials must be verified by The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), or another Board-approved credential evaluation service.
• Credential evaluations must be sent directly to the South Carolina Board of Nursing (SCBON). This process should be completed before submitting your SCBON application due to processing time constraints.

Examinations

• Pass an English proficiency exam administered by a Board-approved service provider.
• Pass the NCLEX Examination. Register for the NCLEX following the instructions in the Candidate Bulletin or visit here to register online.

Licensure Timeline

Per Section 40-33-32(F)(4), a foreign-educated applicant who does not obtain licensure within three (3) years of first taking the NCLEX must requalify by enrolling in an approved nursing education program and demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a graduate nurse.

Additional Requirements

• Possess a Social Security card of Resident Alien Registration.

Foreign-educated applicants seeking licensure by endorsement must meet the following requirements:

Education & Credentials

• The applicant’s general and nursing education must be equivalent to the level of graduates from South Carolina nursing education programs.
• Educational credentials must be verified by The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), or another Board-approved credential evaluation service.
• Credential evaluations must be sent directly to the South Carolina Board of Nursing (SCBON). This process should be completed before submitting your SCBON application due to processing time constraints.

Examinations

• Pass an English proficiency exam administered by a Board-approved service provider
• Have previously passed the NCLEX Examination

Additional Requirements

• Possess a Social Security card or Resident Alien Registration
• Provide verification of authorization to practice as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or comparable title from the country of original licensure.

Continued Competency

Foreign-educated applicants must provide documentation of continued competency within the past two (2) years by meeting one of the following requirements.

1. Completion of 30 contact hours from a continuing education provider recognized by the Board.
2. Maintenance or re-certification by a national certifying body recognized by the Board.
3. Completion of an academic program of study in nursing or a related field recognized by the Board.
4. Employer certification of competency, verified using the Board-approved Employer Certification Form

Approved providers and required forms are available on our Continuing Nursing Education & Competency page.

License Verification

Verification of your original license by examination is required. Visit Nursys to request Verification for Endorsement to be sent directly to the SC Board of Nursing (SCBON).

You may apply for a 60-day temporary license to practice nursing in South Carolina while your permanent application is being processed.

Eligibility Requirements

• Proof of an active license to practice in another U.S. state or jurisdiction.
• Submission of all required documentation, excluding the criminal background check and license verification, before issuance.

The temporary license is valid for 60 days only. You cannot work or attend orientation once it expires, as orientation is considered the practice of nursing.

A temporary license cannot be issued if:

• Any question in the personal history section of the application is answered “yes”.
• The applicant was educated outside of the United States and has not passed the NCLEX Exam.

The Board reserves the right to immediately cancel any temporary permit or license issued based on false, fraudulent, or misleading information provided by the applicant.