Become a Nurse in South Carolina – Licensure & Requirements
Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the South Carolina Board of Nursing before applying for licensure.
Nursing Licenses in South Carolina | Master’s Required? |
|---|---|
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) | Yes |
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | Yes |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | Yes |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Yes |
Registered Nurse (RN) | No |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | No |
South Carolina Nursing Salaries
SC Nurse Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Charleston-North Charleston Annual Mean Wage | Columbia Annual Mean Wage | Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Licensed Practical Nurse | $40,890 | $43,250 | $43,240 | $40,280 |
Registered Nurse | $64,940 | $75,780 | $63,450 | $61,180 |
Nurse Practitioner | $99,910 | $96,560 | $97,360 | $107,920 |
Nurse Anesthetist | $164,480 | $171,000 | Not Available | Not Available |
Nurse Midwife | $89,150 | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates South Carolina in March 2020.
There are many paths to becoming a nurse in South Carolina. The one you take will mostly depend on the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The more education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.
In addition to nursing salaries in South Carolina, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of South Carolina nursing licenses on this page. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in healthcare, it’s sometimes difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in South Carolina, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Compact State Status
South Carolina is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.
Prescriptive Authority in South Carolina
According to South Carolina’s Nursing Practice Act, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists may apply for prescriptive authority. These nurses must be able to prohibido 45 contact hours of education in pharmacotherapeutics within two years of application or evidence of 20 hours if recently enrolled in an approved nursing program. Nurse practitioners, CNM, and CNSs may prescribe schedule III through V controlled substances.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in South Carolina
APRNs in South Carolina are defined as Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Education: Master’s degree from accredited college or university
Examination: Varies according to prerequisite national certification
Certification Required: Varies according to specialty area, but must include licensure as a Registered Nurse
Fees:
- $130 Application for Permanent License Only
- $140 Application for Temporary License and Permanent License
- $160 Application with Prescriptive Authority
Renewal: APRN licenses are renewed every even year, by April 30th.
Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
Registered Nurse (RN) in South Carolina
Education: Board-approved Registered Nurse pre-licensure education program
Examination: NCLEX-RN
Fees:
- $100 Licensure by Endorsement
- $110 Licensure by Endorsement with Temporary License
- $200 Examination
Endorsement: RNs applying for licensure endorsement must submit, with application, evidence of continued competence and verification from original state of initial licensure.
Renewal: RN renewal requires 30 contact hours of continuing education, national certification/recertification, completion of a nursing course or academic nursing program, or verification of competency.
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in South Carolina
Education: Board-approved Licensed Practical Nurse pre-licensure education program
Examination: NCLEX-PN
Fees:
- $100 Licensure by Endorsement
- $110 Licensure by Endorsement with Temporary License
- $200 Examination
Endorsement: LPNs applying for licensure endorsement must submit, with application, evidence of continued competence and verification from original state of initial licensure.
Renewal: LPN renewal requires 30 contact hours of continuing education, national certification/recertification, completion of a nursing course or academic nursing program, or verification of competency.
Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Information on the above nursing careers in South Carolina was retrieved from the South Carolina Board of Nursing as of March 2020.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Information last updated: March 2020