To work as an RN in South Carolina you license with the State Board of Nursing (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) through LLR's E-Service platform: US$90, or US$100 with a 90-day Graduate Nurse temporary licence. Your dean sends the Certificate of Endorsement (or your out-of-state school the transcript), Pearson VUE must be paid before the Board can make you eligible, and fingerprint instructions arrive after the Board receives your application. Retakes are every 45 days for up to a year from the first attempt. South Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
✓ Checked against SCBON's official pages on October 7, 2026
At a glance
BoardSouth Carolina Board of Nursing, LLR
ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE (US$200), paid before the Board makes you eligible
Application feeUS$90 · US$100 with the Graduate Nurse temporary licence
Graduate Nurse licence90 days under RN supervision; never failed the NCLEX; one 30-day extension possible
Retakesevery 45 days for up to 1 year from the first attempt, then a remediation plan; re-qualify after 3 years
CompactYes, since January 19, 2018; Declaration of Primary State of Residence with proof of SC residency
The steps, in order (graduates of a South Carolina program)
Tick each step as you finish it; your progress is saved on this device.
7 steps
If you were educated outside the United States
The exam is the same; the path to being allowed to write it is longer. These are the extra steps.
3 steps
Documents to have ready
LLR E-Service application and US$90 (US$100 with the temporary licence)
Legal-name document: birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order
Certificate of Endorsement sent by the dean (SC programs) or official transcript sent by the school (out of state)
Pearson VUE registration and payment (US$200) before eligibility
Fingerprints and criminal background check per the Board's emailed instructions (SSN required)
Declaration of Primary State of Residence with proof of SC residency for a multistate licence
International graduates: credential evaluation report, copy of your home-country licence, English proficiency evidence
Fees
RN application by examination
US$90
RN application by examination with 90-day Graduate Nurse temporary licence
US$100
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.
US$200
Fingerprint criminal background checkpaid to the vendor named in the Board's instructions
varies
How long it takes
Fingerprint instructions arrive after the Board receives your application.
Results mailed within 10 business days of receipt by the Board.
Graduate Nurse licence: 90 days, one 30-day extension possible.
Retake every 45 days for up to 1 year from the first attempt; remediation plan after that; re-qualify after 3 years.
Applications valid for one year from filing.
Mistakes that cost people time or money
Pick the 'with Temporary License' application at the start; it is only US$10 more and saves a second filing.
Pay Pearson VUE first: the Board cannot make you eligible until it sees the payment.
Do not get fingerprinted early; South Carolina sends its own instructions after the application is in.
A failed attempt cancels the Graduate Nurse licence the same day; tell your employer immediately.
Questions people ask about South Carolina
How do I register for the NCLEX in South Carolina?
Apply on LLR's E-Service platform (US$90, or US$100 with the temporary licence), have your dean send the Certificate of Endorsement or your school the transcript, register and pay Pearson VUE (US$200), and complete the fingerprint check when the Board emails instructions. The Board then makes you eligible and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.
How much does a South Carolina RN licence cost?
US$90 (US$100 with the Graduate Nurse temporary licence) to the Board, US$200 to Pearson VUE and the fingerprint vendor's fee.
Can I work in South Carolina before I pass the NCLEX-RN?
Yes, on a 90-day Graduate Nurse temporary licence under the supervision of a licensed RN, if you have never failed the NCLEX, are registered with Pearson VUE and have no felony convictions or pending charges. It is revoked if you fail or do not test within 90 days (one 30-day extension possible).
Is South Carolina a compact state?
Yes, since January 19, 2018. Submit the Declaration of Primary State of Residence with proof of South Carolina residency to receive a multistate licence; otherwise you get a single-state licence that converts when the declaration arrives.
How many times can I take the NCLEX-RN in South Carolina?
Once every 45 days for up to one year from your first attempt. After a year you must submit a Board-approved remediation plan, and after three years you must complete an approved nursing education program again.
What does an internationally educated nurse need for South Carolina?
A credential evaluation report sent directly to the Board, a copy of your original nursing licence, an English proficiency exam unless exempt, the application and Pearson VUE registration, and a Social Security number before the background check and licence.
Official links and sources
Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on SCBON's and NCSBN's own pages on October 7, 2026; when a detail matters to you, confirm it there:
This guide explains the process; it is not legal or immigration advice. Decisions about your eligibility are made by South Carolina Board of Nursing (LLR).
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