South Carolina Nursing License by Endorsement 2026: Requirements & Application
Already licensed in another state? Use this guide to plan your South Carolina endorsement application, competency evidence, license verification, fingerprints and residency documents.
Official-source review: · Published by Nursing License Lookup
Who needs South Carolina endorsement?
Licensed in another state
The Board describes endorsement for actively licensed nurses moving to South Carolina or holding a noncompact-state license and seeking South Carolina practice authority.
Keeping your compact home state
A valid multistate license can provide South Carolina RN/LPN practice privileges while your primary residence remains in another compact state. A single-state license does not provide those privileges.
Read official compact FAQsPreviously licensed as an APRN
The RN page directs applicants previously issued an APRN license in another state away from the RN endorsement application. Review the APRN route before paying.
Review APRN licensingMoving from another compact state? South Carolina directs nurses to apply within 60 days of declaring South Carolina their primary state of residence. This is an application deadline, not a promised approval date.
Single-state versus multistate issuance
Multistate licensure requires South Carolina to be your primary state of residence and satisfaction of the NLC requirements. Applying before establishing residency can result in a single-state license.
Submit the Board’s residency declaration with accepted proof: a driver’s license, voter registration, federal tax return, military Form 2058, or qualifying U.S. government W-2.
Open the official residency declarationSouth Carolina nursing endorsement fees
| Application | Board fee | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| RN endorsement | $100 | Without the temporary-license option. |
| LPN endorsement | $100 | Without the temporary-license option. |
| RN or LPN with temporary license | $110 | Includes the $10 temporary-license fee. |
| APRN endorsement | $140 / $150 | Without / with temporary license; separate route. |
| Background check and records | Additional costs | Confirm fingerprint, verification, transcript and credential-evaluation charges with the relevant provider. |
Budget beyond the application fee. Check the current Board fee schedule and portal checkout before payment. Selecting the temporary option does not guarantee issuance.
Prepare your endorsement documents
Use the current RN or LPN page and the forms linked there. Keep your legal name consistent across the application and records.
| Record | Preparation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and legal name | Valid government ID and accepted legal-name evidence; include name-change documents where applicable. | Applicant uploads. |
| Social Security documentation | Social Security card or applicable resident-alien documentation; the Board requires Social Security documentation before final issuance. | Applicant uploads. |
| Affidavits and photograph | Complete the notarized affidavit/photo form and lawful-presence affidavit. The photo/affidavit form must be less than six months old. | Applicant using Board forms. |
| Original license verification | Arrange verification from the original state of licensure by examination. | Nursys or the issuing board directly to SCBON. |
| Competency evidence | Document one accepted option from the past two years. | Education provider, certifying body, school or employer. |
| Education records, when required | Follow your application checklist. Have any requested official transcripts sent directly by the school. | School or approved evaluation provider. |
For a nonparticipating Nursys board, request direct verification. The South Carolina Board lists nurseboard@llr.sc.gov for electronic verification sent by the issuing board.
Continued competency: 30 hours CE is one route
Applicants must document continued competency within the past two years through one of these Board-recognized options.
Continuing education
Complete 30 contact hours through a provider recognized by the Board and retain completion certificates.
National certification
Document maintenance or renewal of certification through a certifying body recognized by the Board.
Academic study
Document completion of a Board-recognized academic program in nursing or a related field.
Employer certification
Use the Board-approved Employer Certification Form to verify recent competency and nursing practice.
Employer-form detail: The form requests evidence from the past two years and excludes orientation periods and hours. Have the employer complete and sign its verification section.
How to apply for South Carolina endorsement
Confirm your licensing route
Check RN, LPN or APRN eligibility and whether existing compact privileges cover your planned work.
Prepare identity and competency records
Complete the required affidavits, assemble legal-name documents and choose your competency evidence.
Submit the online endorsement application
Use LLR’s application portal, select the correct transaction, answer each question accurately, upload required documents and pay. Save your receipt and application reference.
Open LLR applicationsOrder original-state license verification
Request Nursys Verification for Endorsement or direct verification from a nonparticipating licensing board. Select South Carolina as the destination.
Wait for Board fingerprint instructions
The Board sends instructions after receiving the application. Do not submit fingerprints or order the background check before those instructions arrive.
Submit residency evidence when applicable
For South Carolina multistate eligibility, provide the residency declaration and accepted proof of primary residence.
Resolve outstanding application items
Monitor application status and Board correspondence. Trace missing records by sender, delivery date and legal name.
Verify issued authority before practice
Check the official license record for credential, status, expiration and any restrictions. Confirm temporary or multistate authority where relevant.
Open official LLR license lookupTemporary endorsement license and orientation
South Carolina provides a temporary endorsement option for up to 60 days, subject to Board eligibility review and issuance. Confirm the expiration and conditions on the issued credential.
A pending application alone is not practice authority. South Carolina law includes nursing orientation in the definition of nursing practice. Confirm valid South Carolina authority or applicable compact privileges before beginning.
If a temporary credential will expire before permanent issuance, contact the Board and your employer before scheduling further nursing work or orientation.
Read the South Carolina Nurse Practice ActForeign-educated endorsement applicants
The Board lists an approved credential evaluation sent directly by the provider, English-proficiency requirements, previous NCLEX passage and verification from the country of original licensure. Review the detailed requirements before ordering services.
Official Foreign-Educated Nurse RequirementsEndorsement checklist
This checklist does not submit information to the Board or save your selections to an account.
What to check when your application is pending
Plan for records delivery, background checks and individual review. A job start date should depend on verified practice authority.
- Confirm the correct verification destination and original licensing state.
- Check whether surname changes prevent records from matching.
- Provide complete, dated competency evidence.
- Follow the exact fingerprint instructions sent for your application.
- Respond to the specific missing item identified by the Board.
Prepare a focused Board inquiry
Include your name, application reference, submission date, outstanding item and the sender’s delivery date. Ask which requirement remains unresolved. Avoid sending sensitive identification documents through an unrequested channel.
South Carolina Board of Nursing contact and map
South Carolina Board of Nursing
- Office address
- 110 Centerview Drive
Columbia, SC 29210 - Mailing address
- P.O. Box 12367
Columbia, SC 29211-2367 - Telephone
- 803-896-4550
- nurseboard@llr.sc.gov
Contact the Board before visiting or mailing documents. Confirm the delivery method requested for your application.
South Carolina nursing endorsement FAQ
How do I apply for South Carolina nursing endorsement?
Apply through LLR’s online portal, provide required documents and competency evidence, arrange original-state verification, and follow the Board’s fingerprint instructions.
How much does RN or LPN endorsement cost?
The Board fee is $100 without a temporary license or $110 with the temporary-license option. Third-party charges are additional.
Are 30 hours of continuing education mandatory for everyone?
Thirty contact hours are one competency option. Recognized national certification, academic study or employer certification may also satisfy the requirement.
When should I complete fingerprinting?
Wait until the Board receives your application and sends fingerprint instructions. Do not order the background check beforehand.
Can I use Nursys for license verification?
Yes, if your original state of licensure by examination participates. Otherwise request direct verification from that board.
Is South Carolina a compact nursing state?
Yes. Eligible nurses can use valid multistate RN/LPN privileges. South Carolina multistate issuance requires qualifying primary residency and the NLC requirements.
How soon must I apply after moving from another compact state?
The Board directs nurses to apply within 60 days of declaring South Carolina their primary state of residence.
Can I attend nursing orientation while my application is pending?
A pending application alone is insufficient. South Carolina treats nursing orientation as nursing practice; confirm valid license authority or applicable compact privileges first.