FAQs South Carolina Board of Nursing

Applications are processed in the order received.If you recently submitted a paper or online application, please allow time for processing as all required documents must be present before a temporary or permanent license can be issued.

Once your application is processed, if required documents for licensure are missing, the board will send you an official communication via email to request the missing document(s). When all documents for licensure are reviewed and approved, a license will be issued, and an official letter regarding your license will be forwarded to you. You can check the status of your application online, 24 hours a day, by visiting here.

Applicants moving to South Carolina from a non-compact state are required to apply by endorsement. The endorsement application can be found under the license type you're applying for. Once on that licenses page, click the "License by Endorsement" dropdwon.

Please contact us by email to request the background check information only after you have completed, paid and sent the application to the board.

If you are moving from:

Noncompact State to Compact State: The nurse is responsible for applying for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residence. The nurse may apply before or after the move. A multistate license may be issued if residency and eligibility requirements are met. If the nurse holds a single state license issued by the noncompact state, it is not affected.

Compact State to Noncompact State: The nurse is responsible for applying for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residence. The nurse may apply before or after the move. The multistate license of the former NLC state is changed to a single state license upon changing legal residency to a noncompact state. The nurse is responsible for notifying the board of nursing of the former NLC state of the new address.

Compact State to Compact State: When moving (changing primary state of legal residence) to a new NLC state, it is the nurse's responsibility to apply for licensure by endorsement. This should be completed upon moving and the nurse should not delay. The nurse may not wait until the former license expires to apply in the nurse's new state of legal residency. The nurse may practice on the former home state license only UNTIL the multistate license in the new NLC home state is issued. Proof of residency such as a driver's license may be required. Upon issuance of a new multistate license, the former license is inactivated.

Another Country (International Nurses): If a nurse on a visa from another country applies for licensure in a compact state, the nurse is responsible for either declaring the country of origin or the compact state as their primary state of residency. If the foreign country is declared the primary state of residency, the nurse may be eligible for a single state license issued by the compact state.

An important definition is the Primary State of Residence (PSOR). The state (also known as the home state) in which a nurse declares a primary residence for legal purposes. Sources used to verify a nurse's primary residence may include driver's license, federal income tax return or voter registration. PSOR refers to legal residency status and does not pertain to home or property ownership. Only one state can be identified as the primary state of legal residence for NLC purposes.

For more information, visit the NLC Compact's website online.

When a license number is assigned to a licensee, an e-mail will notify the individual of his/her nursing license number and expiration date.

You can also access Licensee Lookup option approximately 24 hours after the license is issued.

You will need to submit the Request for Inactive Status form along with a $15 fee to the SC Board of Nursing. You may also access the form on each licenses page or directly download it here.

At a future date, if you decide to reactivate your license in South Carolina, you will be required to submit a reinstatement/reactivation application and a criminal background check.

Once you have submitted your endorsement application and the Board has established your record, then you can send a written request with your name and contact address so the fingerprint cards and background check information can be sent to you.

South Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC allows a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse licensed in a Compact state to practice across state lines in another Compact state without having to obtain a license in the other state unless the nurse moves or declares the new Compact state as his/her new primary state of residence. It is important to remember that the NLC requires nurses to adhere to the nursing practice laws and rules of the state in which he/she practices under his/her Compact license.

If a nurse moves from one state to another and establishes residency in the new state, the nurse must apply for licensure in that new state.

Since you have moved from SC to another state you can request a license verification through by visiting Nursys.

Requirements for reinstatement/reactivation are based on how long your license has been in a lapsed/inactive status and whether you may have been practicing in another state with an active license. The Reactivation/Reinstatement form is located under each license's page.

You will need to submit evidence of professional competence, so please refer to the competency requirement for licensure found in S.C. Code Ann. Section 40-33-40 under Laws/Policies, as well as in the Competency Requirement for Licensure.

The Board of Nursing does not provide license verifications to a third party (hiring agents, recruiters etc.) upon written request. However, the third party can visit our website and use the Licensee Lookup Service to determine if a nursing license is active and if there is any discipline associated with the license.

If the licensee has a disciplined license (like probation and/or restrictions at the worksite), the disciplinary actions will be stated in their Board Order. If there are further questions about disciplinary matters, the licensee must contact the Board directly.

Please be advised that the SC Board of Nursing may not provide a legal opinion regarding your specific situation, business model, employment setting, or potential employment setting, or otherwise offer any legal advice. It is recommended that you present your inquiry and information to your agency's legal counsel for the provision of legal advice and a determination regarding your inquiry. We would also refer you to your nursing supervisor, leadership channels of communication, agency policies, procedures, risk manager, and regulatory agency standards.