Loading
Loading
South Carolina Board of Nursing
Processing time
4–6 weeks
Temporary license typically issued within two weeks
Fees
License: $100
Renewal: $75
Temporary license: $10
Compact state
Yes
Application links
South Carolina license
Biennially, every two years by April 30th of EVEN-numbered years
Yes
Valid for a period of 60 days or until a permanent license is issued or denied
Must complete one of the following within a 2-year licensure period:
Completion of 30 continuing education hours
Maintenance of certification or re-certification by a national certifying body recognized by the board
Completion of an academic program of study in nursing or a related field recognized by the board
Verification of competency and the number of hours practiced as evidenced by employer certification on a form approved by the Board
For endorsement:
Applicants must prove they have completed one of the items required for license renewal when submitting initial application request for South Carolina
Applicants must wait to submit their fingerprints until after they have submitted an initial application to the board as they will then receive additional instructions from the board on obtaining fingerprints
FAQs
Please note that while Fusion Medical Staffing strives to provide the most current and accurate information in our Nursing Licensing Guide, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information provided. Regulations, requirements, and processes can change frequently. Healthcare travelers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult directly with the respective state board's official website to ensure they have the most accurate and up-to-date information. Fusion Medical Staffing is not liable for any outdated information or errors in the guide.
Processing Time
4-6 weeks
From complete application
Application Fee
$100
Renewal: $75 · Temp license available
Compact (Nurse Licensure Compact)
Yes
Nurse Licensure Compact member state
Renewal
30 hours
Every 2 years
South Carolina is an NLC member state. RNs holding valid multistate licenses from other NLC states can practice immediately under compact privilege if they declare SC as their primary state of residence; however, they must apply for a South Carolina multistate license within 60 days of establishing primary residence. Single-state or endorsement-only licenses do not carry compact privilege.
For travelers, this means you can begin a South Carolina assignment immediately if your home state is also a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member and your license is set to multistate status. However, if you establish South Carolina residency during your assignment, your compact privilege becomes invalid and you must apply for a South Carolina license through endorsement.
South Carolina uses a mail/pdf application endorsement process for registered nurses already licensed in another state. You'll need to submit your completed application along with supporting documents and the $100 application fee.
License verification is handled through Nursys or direct board verification. South Carolina requires verification from every state where you hold or have held a registered nurse license, so request verification early to avoid delays.
Background check requirements vary by applicant — confirm the current fingerprinting and screening steps with the South Carolina Board of Nursing. Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible, since background check processing is one of the most common sources of delay.
After all components are received, the Board reviews applications on a rolling basis. Check the South Carolina Board of Nursing website for status updates on your application.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Endorsement Application | $100 |
| Renewal | $75 (every 2 years) |
| Fingerprinting | $25-75 (fingerprinting) |
| Nursys verification | $30 |
| Estimated First-Time Cost | $155–$205 |
Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting. Many staffing agencies, including Fusion Medical Staffing, offer licensure reimbursement programs to help offset these expenses.
South Carolina issues temporary nursing licenses valid for 60 days, allowing registered nurses to begin practicing while their permanent endorsement application is being processed. For travelers, this is often the fastest path to starting an assignment.
Eligibility requirements:
Issuance timeline:
Denial risks:
Important for travelers: Temporary license expires at 60 days with no extension option; permanent license must issue before expiration or nurse must stop working. If background check reveals adverse findings during temporary period, license may be revoked prior to expiration. Failure to submit complete permanent application or follow-up documentation will result in non-renewal of temporary license.
South Carolina registered nurse endorsement applications typically take 4-6 weeks to process. The timeline is subject to moderate variability depending on the completeness of your application and external factors.
In the best-case scenario, processing can be as fast as 10 business days for temporary license; 4 weeks for permanent endorsement if all documentation is complete and no competency gaps exist.
Common sources of delay:
South Carolina does not offer an expedited processing track. The best way to minimize your wait time is to ensure all application components — fingerprints, verification, and any required exams — are completed before or immediately after submitting your application.
South Carolina requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for registered nurse license renewal.
South Carolina Board of Nursing
Please note that while Fusion Medical Staffing strives to provide the most current and accurate information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information provided. Requirements and processes can change frequently. Healthcare professionals are strongly encouraged to verify details directly with South Carolina Board of Nursing's official website.
We’ll admit it — it’s not always a walk in the park to get licensed where you want to work as a travel nurse. But we’re here to make it a little easie
New to travel nursing? Looking for a way to optimize your travel nursing experience? Tired of applying for individual state nursing licenses? Apply fo
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a professional med traveler? First, you go to school, learn your nursing specialty, gain some clinical expe
