Board Information South Carolina Board of Nursing

Advisory Opinions

Official interpretations issued by the Board to provide guidance on whether specific nursing practices are within the scope of safe and competent practice under the Nurse Practice Act.

Position Statements

Formal statements that define the Board's stance on nursing practice issues and establish expectations for safe, ethical, and competent care.

Joint Opinions

Collaborative guidance developed with other regulatory boards (e.g., Medical Examiners, Pharmacy) to address interdisciplinary practices and ensure consistent standards across professions.

Nursing Management of Invasive Devices

Guidance outlining the roles and responsibilities of nurses in the care and management of patients with invasive devices or conditions, ensuring safe and competent practice based on established standards.

Subtance Abuse Disorder for Nurses

Resources and information for licensees and employers addressing substance use disorders, including support options, compliance expectations, and pathways for monitoring recovery.

Advisory Committee on Nursing Education (ACONE)

The Advisory Committee on Nursing Education is a standing committee appointed by the South Carolina Board of Nursing, established: 1. to advise and make recommendations to the Board regarding nursing education, including articulation and quality; 2. to review, according to prescribed guidelines as promulgated in regulation, applicant Nursing Education Programs and specifically make recommendations to the Board concerning the approval of a program application; and 3. to provide periodic reports on the Committee's projects and progress of the Committee to the Board.

Nursing Practice and Standards Committee (NPSC)

The Nursing Practice and Standards Committee (NPSC) is a standing committee appointed by the South Carolina Board of Nursing, established to assist the Board with issues affecting nursing practice in our state. The NPSC is charged with developing and revising advisory opinions and position statements. The NPSC also assists the Nurse Consultant for Practice with questions related to nursing practices and standards, and serves as a resource regarding scope of practice, practice guidelines, trends in nursing practice and related issues.

Advanced Practice Committee (APC)

The Advanced Practice Committee (APC) is an ad hoc committee appointed by the South Carolina Board of Nursing, established to review current advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) Advisory Opinions and to advise the Board and nursing community on the safe and competent practice of APRNs. The APC also assists the Nurse Practice Consultant with questions related to advanced practice and serves as a resource regarding scope of practice, practice guidelines, trends in advanced practice and related issues.

Healthcare Collaborative Committee (HCC)

The Healthcare Collaborative Committee is comprised of representatives from the Board of Nursing, the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Medical Examiners. The purpose of the Committee is to allow the member boards to hear requests from licensees of one board that may have impact on other member boards.

Joint Practice Committee (JPC)

The Joint Practice Committee is comprised of the President and Vice-President of the Board of Nursing and the President and Vice-President of the Board of Medical Examiners. The purpose of the Committee is to hear requests for clarification of statutes regarding advanced practice and any waiver requests therefrom.

Filing a Complaint as a Consumer

1. Instructions on Filing a Complaint
2. Supplemental Forms
• Employer Supplemental Complaint Form
• Public Supplemental Complaint Form
• Supplemental Complaint Form for Suspected Diversion or Substance Abuse
3. Submit an Online Complaint

Filing a Complaint as an Employer

Should I file a complaint?

Should I report? Learn more about definitely reportable conduct events, potential reportable events and common non-reportable events.

Employer Complaint Evaluation Tool

Before filing a complaint, please complete the Employer Complaint Evaluation Tool (ECET) analysis. It is designed for use only when evaluating clinical practice events or issues involving nurses.

Handling Complaints as a Nurse

Nursing Malpractice Claim Form

If you are a nurse and have been named as a defendant in a malpractice lawsuit, you must complete the form above and send it to the Board of Nursing.

Nomination Forms: Hearing Officer, IRC or Expert Reviewer

Purpose: To facilitate the complete review of complaints or disciplinary matters before the Board of Nursing. All Members are appointed by the South Carolina Board of Nursing.

• Investigative Review Conference Participants: Professional Members review case summaries prior to meeting to determine potential Nurse Practice Act violations and make recommendations for Board action. Meetings are held approximately once a month and members are requested to attend at least three meetings a year.
• Hearing Panel Members: Professional Members participate in full evidentiary hearings and make recommendations to the Board regarding final resolution for disciplinary matters. Members may also be asked to serve as an individual hearing officer when Temporary Suspension Order or Order Requiring Evaluation hearings are requested. Meetings are held approximately once a month and members are requested to attend at least two regularly scheduled meetings a year, as well as at least one temporary hearing per year.
• Expert Case Reviewers: Professional members educated, credentialed, and experienced in specific subject matters review case records to determine whether a nurse’s actions meet the standard of care and issue full written reports. Requests for review are on an as needed basis for specific subject matters.

Nomination Forms

• Expert Case Reviewer
• Investigative Review Conference
• Hearing Panel Member Officer

Email	nurseboard@llr.sc.gov
Telephone	(803) 896-4550
Address	Kingstree Building 110 Centerview Dr Columbia, SC 29120
Board Executive	Whitney Smith