StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in South Carolina

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$270
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
South Carolina Board of Nursing (SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Graduate of a South Carolina Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program, or eligible via the Board's LPN equivalency pathway, pass a criminal background check. S.C. Code Ann. §40-33-25 requires all RN and LPN applicants to submit a fingerprint-based criminal background check as part of licensure by examination or endorsement. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. The SC Board of Nursing approves practical nursing programs on a program-by-program basis and does not publish a single fixed clock/semester-hour figure for LPN programs on its own accessible pages. Applicants must be graduates of a Board-approved practical nursing program (examination route) or qualify through the Board's separate LPN equivalency pathway for partial RN-program completers. Verified via archive snapshot 2026-03-08 (llr.sc.gov blocked direct automated access from this session). [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). National NCLEX-PN registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE/NCSBN. This is separate from South Carolina's own LPN examination application fee (see fees group). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to South Carolina Board of Nursing (SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) with the $70 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, South Carolina Board of Nursing (SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for South Carolina.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $70
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $75
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
LPN Examination with Temporary License [3] $80
LPN Re-Examination [3] $45
Licensure by Endorsement (reciprocity) [3] $100
Licensure by Endorsement with Temporary License [3] $110

South Carolina does not charge a separate license-issuance fee beyond the examination fee — the $70 'LPN Examination without Temporary License' fee functions as the new-graduate application/licensure fee. Figures per the SC LLR Board of Nursing fee schedule, verified via archive snapshot 2026-02-14 (llr.sc.gov blocked direct automated access from this session).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

SC LPN licenses renew biennially, due April 30 of even-numbered years. Continued competency is satisfied by completing ONE of several options (30 contact hours of SCBON-recognized continuing education, national certification/recertification, completion of a recognized academic program, or employer certification of continued competency/practice hours) rather than a single mandatory CE-hour figure, so no single ceHours number applies to all licensees. Verified via archive snapshot 2026-04-19 (llr.sc.gov blocked direct automated access from this session).

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

South Carolina implemented the NLC on Jan. 19, 2018, confirmed on the compact commission's official member-jurisdiction list (NurseCompact.com / NCSBN NLC map, revised Sept. 6, 2023, retrieved 2026-07-10) and corroborated on the SC Board of Nursing's own NLC page. Applicants who do not hold an NLC multistate license may still apply for licensure by endorsement.

15 state-approved training providers in South Carolina — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $70
  • $200
Total$270

Frequently asked questions

What exam do I need to pass to become an LPN in South Carolina?

You must pass the NCLEX-PN, administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of NCSBN. The national NCLEX-PN registration fee is $200, separate from South Carolina's own $70 examination application fee.

How often do LPN licenses need to be renewed in South Carolina?

LPN licenses renew every two years, with renewals due by April 30 of even-numbered years. Renewing after that date requires meeting reinstatement requirements and paying additional fees.

Does South Carolina participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes. South Carolina has been an implemented NLC member since January 19, 2018, so nurses holding an NLC multistate license from another compact state may practice in South Carolina without obtaining an additional license.

Can I get an LPN license in South Carolina if I'm already licensed in another state?

Yes, via licensure by endorsement. The endorsement application fee is $100 (or $110 with a temporary permit) and requires official verification of your license from the other jurisdiction.

Does South Carolina require a criminal background check for LPN licensure?

Yes. S.C. Code Ann. §40-33-25 requires all nursing applicants, including LPN applicants, to submit a fingerprint-based criminal background check as part of the application process.

Sources

  1. [1] llr.sc.gov/nurse/lpn.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] llr.sc.gov/nurse/fees.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] llr.sc.gov/nurse/renewals.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] llr.sc.gov/nurse/nlc.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10