LPN Licensure South Carolina Board of Nursing

Required Identification and Forms

1. Copy of a valid Driver's License, State Issued ID, Passport or Military ID.
2. 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 is issued.
3. Notarized Affidavit and Passport Type Photo Form (Must be less than 6 months old).
4. 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.
5. Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States Affidavit of Eligibility Form
6. Foreign Educated Applicants must provide a copy of their nursing license from country of original licensure.
7. Foreign Educated Applicants must pass an English proficiency exam (TOEFL) administered by a board approved service provider.

Education

In-State Graduates

The Certificate of Endorsement Form must be sent directly to the South Carolina Board of Nursing (SCBON) from the Dean or Director of the Nursing Program. Certificates will not be accepted from the applicant.

Out-Of-State Graduates

Have official transcripts sent directly to the 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
• 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.

Repeat exam candidates from out of state who are applying for licensure as an RN/LPN in South Carolina for the first time should submit the initial application.

Foreign Education Applicants

General and nursing education must meet the standards required of graduates from nursing programs in this State who are candidates for licensure. Verification must be provided by a certificate from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools or another board-approved credential evaluation service.

If a foreign-educated applicant's nursing education is not verified as equivalent, the applicant may still qualify for licensure by completing a supplemental course prescribed by the Board within an approved nursing education program and, upon completion, successfully passing the licensing examination.

A foreign-educated applicant who does not obtain licensure within three years of first taking the examination must requalify to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). To do so, the applicant must enroll in an approved nursing education program and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of a graduate nurse.

For all Foreign Educated Applicant Information and Requirements please visit Foreign Educated Nurse Requirements.

Graduate Nurse Temporary License

Pursuant to S.C. Code Section 40-33-36 (D)(1), applicants may request a temporary license to practice nursing in South Carolina for up to sixty (60) days while their application is being processed. To qualify, you must provide proof of an active nursing license from another U.S. state or jurisdiction. All required documentation — except the criminal background check and license verification — must be received before a single-state temporary license can be issued. Please note that the temporary license is valid for sixty (60) days only and employment is not permitted once it expires. Orientation is considered the practice of nursing; therefore, you must hold a valid license to participate.

You may download and fill out the Graduate Nurse Attestation form here.

Compact State Information

South Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC allows registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who hold a license in one compact state to practice in other compact states without obtaining an additional license. Nurses practicing under a compact license must follow the nursing laws and regulations of the state where the patient is located. If a nurse relocates and establishes residency in a new state, they must apply for licensure in that state. For telenursing, the nurse is required to meet the practice standards of the state in which the patient receives care. For the most up-to-date list of participating states, please visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Military Spouse Licensure

Do you hold a professional or occupational license in another state? Are you married to and living with an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces who is relocated to and stationed in South Carolina under official military orders?

Click here to find out if you are applicable to get an expedited license in South Carolina.

This application is intended for individuals who have completed all required education but are not currently licensed.

• Step 1: Submit Your Online Application
  Use LLR's E-Service platform to apply for licensure and upload required documentation or fees (if applicable).
• Step 2: Register for the NCLEX
  Once the Board has approved you for examination, you must register (or re-register, if necessary) to take the NCLEX. Visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to register. Please note that all registration fees are non-refundable.

Exam Attempts

An applicant who does not pass the NCLEX on their first attempt may retake the examination once every 45 days, for up to 1 year from the date of their first attempt.

If an applicant is unsuccessful after one year, they must submit a remediation plan approved by the Board before being permitted to retest. All remediation plans must be submitted to the Board for approval prior to beginning. Failure to notify the Board may disqualify the applicant from retaking the exam.

Applicants who have not passed the NCLEX within three (3) years of graduation must re-qualify by completing an approved nursing education program and demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities of a graduate nurse.

LPN Licensure by Exam Application Instructions

This application is for an LPN who is actively licensed in another state and is either moving to South Carolina as a permanent resident, or holds a license in a non-compact state and seeks to practice in South Carolina.

Compact State Information

The South Carolina Board of Nursing is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

• If you are currently licensed in a participating compact state and relocate to South Carolina, you must apply for licensure by endorsement within sixty (60) days of declaring South Carolina as your primary state of residence.
• If you apply for licensure before establishing South Carolina residency, you will be issued a single-state license. A multistate license will only be granted once you submit the Declaration of Primary State of Residence Form along with acceptable residence.

For additional information on the NLC, visit National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Proof of primary residence must be established with one of the following:

• Driver's license with current home address
• Voter registration card displaying home address
• Federal income tax return declaring primary state of residence
• Military Form #2058 (State of Legal Residence Certificate)
• W-2 issued by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies, divisions, or bureaus indicating declared state of residence.

Verification of Legal Name

Licenses must be issued in the nurse's legal name as verified by official documentation. Acceptable documents include a valid passport, a certified vital statistics birth certificate (hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable), a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order approving a legal name change.

Criminal Background Check

All applicants for licensure in South Carolina are required to undergo a criminal history background check in accordance with Section 40-33-25 if the Nurse Practice Act. Once your application is received, the Board will provide detailed instructions for fingerprinting. Do not submit fingerprints or request a background check before receiving instructions from the Board.

Federal Government/Military Employment

If you are currently serving in the military or employed by the Federal Government and already licensed in another state, you only need to apply for licensure if you plan to practice outside of your federal or military employment. If you choose to apply, you will be issued a single-state license.

Out-of-State License Verification

Verification is required from your original state of licensure by examination. Visit Nursys to request electronic verification be sent directly to the Board of Nursing.

• If your licensing state does not participate in Nursys, you must contact that state's board of nursing and request that verification be sent directly to SCBON.
• A license verification form is available as a courtesy, though use of this form is not required.
• Electronic verifications may be emailed directly from the issuing state board to: nurseboard@llr.sc.gov

Continued Competency

Applicants must provide documentation of continued competency within the past two (2) years by meeting one of the following requirements:

• Completion of thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education from a provider recognized by the Board (continuing education certificates required).
• Maintenance or renewal of national certification by a certifying body recognized by the Board.
• Completion of an academic program of study in nursing or a related field recognized by the Board.
• Employer verification of competency using the Board-approved Employer Certification Form.

LPN Application by Endorsement Application Instructions

Step 1: Review Your Renewal Dates

Nursing license renewals open February 1, 2026. Please note that all nursing licenses expire on April 30 of every even-numbered year.

Step 2: Review Continued Competency

Applicants must provide documentation of continued competency within the past two (2) years by meeting one of the following requirements (approved providers and forms are available on the SCBON website):

• Completion of thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education from a provider recognized by the Board (continuing education certificates required).
• Maintenance or renewal of national certification by a certifying body recognized by the Board.
• Completion of an academic program of study in nursing or a related field recognized by the Board.
• Employer verification of competency using the Board-approved Employer Certification Form.

Step 3: Apply for Renewal

Complete and submit your renewal application through the Board's eServices Portal, along with the required renewal fee. Once your application and payment are received, the Board will verify your information and process your license renewal for the appropriate period.

If you do not renew your license before the deadline, your license will lapse at the close of the renewal period. You will not be permitted to practice nursing in South Carolina until your license has been reinstated.

For the renewal schedule, fees, and applications please visit the board's renewal's page.

After Submitting Your Application

Applications for licensure are valid for one year from the date of filing with the board. An applicant who fails to attain licensure during this period shall submit a new application, application fee, Criminal Background Check, and required documents. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

Criminal Background Check

The SC Nursing Practice Act requires all nursing applicants to submit a fingerprint based criminal background check. Instructions for the fingerprint process will be sent to you after your application is received by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. Do not have your fingerprints or criminal background check processed until you have submitted an application and received instructions from the Board. 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.

After Testing

Exam results are mailed to the candidate's address on file within 10 business days of receipt by the Board. Exam results are NOT available from the Board by telephone. Information for obtaining unofficial results can be found on the NCSBN website.

Requesting Inactive Status for Your License

You will need to submit the Request for Inactive Status form along with a $15 fee to the SC Board of Nursing. You may download the Request for Inactive Status Form here or login to your eService account and upload it here.

Considerations About Inactive Status

If you are considering placing your South Carolina nursing license on inactive status, here are a few things you should know:

• You cannot practice nursing in the State of South Carolina on an inactive license. This includes volunteer nursing.
• When you place your license on inactive status, your Multi-state (Compact) status is also inactive.
• You can change your mind at any time and reactivate your license, but you will need to meet the continued competency requirements at that time. The requirements to reactivate are based on the amount of time your license is inactive.
• If you do not practice for five years or more, the requirements for reactivating your license include retaking the licensure examination or taking a refresher course.

If you are no longer working as a nurse, but wish to keep your license in active status, you only have complete one of the continuing education competence requirements during the licensure period which you can find here.

Requesting Inactive Status for Your License

Requirements for reinstatement/reactivation are based on how long your license has been in a lapsed/inactive status and whether you may have been practicing in another state with an active license.

Reactivation/Reinstatement Form

You will need to submit evidence of professional competence, so please refer to the competency requirement for licensure found in S.C. Code Ann. Section 40-33-40 under Laws/Policies, as well as on the Competency Requirement for Licensure under Licensure.