South Carolina Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2025

Nurse Practitioner Licensure Requirements in South Carolina

With South Carolina investing millions into expanding nursing education pipelines, and with demand for nurse practitioners surging statewide, now is the perfect time to elevate your nursing credentials. Whether you’re just starting your nursing journey or looking to advance your career, here’s how to become a licensed nurse practitioner (NP) in South Carolina.

Obtain Your Registered Nurse (RN) License

You must be a licensed RN before applying for NP licensure. South Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, which means nurses from other compact states can practice here without additional licensure. However, if you’re new to nursing or licensed in a non-compact state, follow one of the two routes below.

RN Licensure by Examination

• Complete a BSN program from an SCBON-approved institution. View accredited programs.
• Submit an online application through the SC Board of Nursing. Fee: $90 (or $100 with temporary license).
• Register for the NCLEX-RN via Pearson VUE. Exam fee: $200. After payment, you’ll receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) valid for 90 days.
• Take the NCLEX-RN exam at a scheduled test center. Quick Results Service is available 48 hours after the test for an additional fee.
• Submit:
  • 2×2 passport photo (signed and dated)
  • Copy of birth certificate or valid passport
  • Copy of Social Security card or permanent resident card
  • Official transcripts (for out-of-state graduates)
• International applicants must provide TOEFL, TWE, and TSE results if English is not their first language.
• Complete a criminal background check (CBC) after receiving fingerprinting instructions from the Board.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

• Submit an online application and pay $100 (or $110 with temporary license).
• Upload:
  • Photo ID (driver’s license, military ID, or passport)
  • Social Security card or permanent residency documentation
  • Notarized Signature Affidavit with photo
• Complete CBC after receiving instructions from the Board.
• Provide license verification via Nursys, or manual verification if your state does not participate.
• Demonstrate continued competency through:
  • 30 contact hours of continuing education
  • National recertification
  • Academic coursework
  • Employer verification of hours

Complete Advanced Nursing Education

To become a nurse practitioner, you must complete a post-graduate nursing program. At minimum, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is required, though many NPs pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for advanced roles or leadership opportunities.

• Full-time MSN programs typically take 18–24 months.
• Ensure your program is approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing before enrolling—especially if it’s online or out of state.
• NPs seeking prescriptive authority must complete 45 contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics (20 for out-of-state NPs).

Earn National Certification

National certification is mandatory for NP licensure. After completing your advanced degree, pass a certification exam from a Board-approved agency aligned with your specialty.

Approved Certifying Agencies:

• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
• National Certification Corporation (NCC)
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)

Apply for NP Licensure in South Carolina

Once you’ve completed the educational and certification steps, you’re ready to apply for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure with NP designation.

Steps:

• Complete the online application through the SCBON portal.
• Pay the fee: $30 (without temporary license) or $40 (with temporary license).
• Submit:
  • Official graduate transcripts (sent directly by institution)
  • Verification of national certification
  • Copy of RN license
  • 2×2 photo, Social Security or residency card, and birth certificate or passport
  • Declaration of permanent residency
• Complete CBC after receiving fingerprint instructions from the Board.
• If applying by endorsement: pay $140 (without temporary license) or $150 (with), plus $20 for prescriptive authority.

Check your application status online. The Board will notify you once your license is granted. You have 12 months to submit all documents or the application will be voided.