How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in South Carolina 2026
Becoming a nurse practitioner in South Carolina requires an active RN license, a graduate-level nursing degree, and national certification in your specialty area. NPs practice under a written practice agreement with a physician. The South Carolina Board of Nursing licenses all four APRN roles: NP, CNM, CNS, and CRNA.
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South Carolina licenses nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses through the South Carolina Board of Nursing. The state recognizes four APRN roles: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Each path shares the same foundational requirements, with some variation in certification and prescriptive authority rules.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, certification, prescriptive authority, application steps, and salary data for South Carolina NPs.
- Education requirements for South Carolina APRNs
- National certification requirements
- Scope of practice and practice agreements
- Prescriptive authority
- How to apply for APRN licensure
- NP salary and job outlook in South Carolina
APRN Education Requirements
South Carolina requires APRNs to hold a graduate-level nursing degree. A prospective APRN may complete a program at the master’s, post-master’s, or doctoral level. The South Carolina Board of Nursing must approve the program.
There are two grandfathering exceptions for nurses who completed their training before the current degree requirements took effect. CRNAs who graduated from accredited programs before December 31 may be licensed without a master’s degree. Other APRNs who graduated before December 31 may also qualify for an exemption from the master’s degree requirement.
For nurse practitioners, graduate programs are available through several South Carolina institutions. See the South Carolina NP programs page for a list of approved options.
National Certification Requirements
After completing a graduate nursing program, prospective APRNs must pass a national certification examination through a Board-approved certifying agency. Most graduates are expected to achieve certification within one year of completing their program. Psychiatric clinical nurse specialists have two years to complete certification.
Approved certification organizations vary by APRN role:
Nurse Practitioners may seek certification through five approved organizations: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the National Certification Corporation (NCC), and the Pediatric Nurses Certification Board (PNCB). Available specialties include Family, Adult, Adult-Gerontology Primary or Acute Care, Pediatric Primary Care, Neonatal, Women’s Health, and Psychiatric-Mental Health, among others.
Clinical Nurse Specialists may certify through the ANCC or AACN. ANCC certifications include Adult Health, Gerontological, Adult-Gerontology, Pediatric, and Adult or Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Mental Health. AACN options include Adult, Neonatal, and Pediatric Acute Care and Wellness through Acute Care.
Certified Nurse Midwives must certify through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists must certify through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
The Board maintains a current list of approved certification organizations on its website. Examination eligibility requirements change periodically, so confirm current options directly with the Board before applying.
Scope of Practice and Practice Agreements
South Carolina classifies nurse practitioners as practicing under a reduced scope of practice. NPs, CNMs, and CNSs who perform medical acts must do so pursuant to a written practice agreement with a physician. The practice agreement defines the scope of medical acts the APRN may perform, establishes prescribing parameters, and includes a mechanism for physician consultation.
A practice agreement must be in place before an NP begins practicing. APRNs who change practice settings or physicians are required to notify the Board of Nursing within 15 business days of the change and provide verification of the new practice agreement. Verify this timeline against current Board rules before relying on it. APRNs who discontinue practice must also notify the Board within 15 business days.
CRNAs practice pursuant to approved written guidelines developed with a supervising licensed physician or dentist, or by the medical staff at the facility where practice privileges have been granted.
Prescriptive Authority
NPs, CNMs, and CNSs who want to prescribe medications must obtain prescriptive authority in addition to their APRN license. The requirements differ depending on whether the applicant is applying from within South Carolina or from out of state.
In-state applicants must complete 45 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics coursework within the 2 years before application. Out-of-state APRNs who already hold prescriptive authority in another state must complete 20 hours of continuing education instead. In both cases, the coursework must be recent.
Once prescriptive authority is granted, APRNs must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education in pharmacotherapeutics during each two-year renewal period to maintain it.
CRNAs do not need prescriptive authority to administer anesthesia.
How to Apply for APRN Licensure
The application process differs depending on whether you currently hold an RN license in South Carolina. South Carolina RNs apply through an upgrade application. Nurses licensed in another state apply through an endorsement application. Both application types are available through the South Carolina Board of Nursing’s online portal at apply.llr.sc.gov.
What all applicants must submit
All applicants must document their education and national certification. Transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the South Carolina Board; a copy of your national certification may satisfy the certification documentation requirement. Applicants must also attach a small, signed photograph to the application.
All applicants are required to complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check. In-state applicants schedule electronic fingerprinting through the Board’s approved vendor, Identogo (866-254-2366). Out-of-state applicants have their fingerprints taken on standard FD-258 cards, which Identogo then scans. Blank FBI cards are available from the South Carolina Board upon request. The ORI number needed for the process is included in the application packet.
Upgrade applicants (current South Carolina RNs)
If you hold an active South Carolina RN license, you’ll file an upgrade application. Include a copy of your current South Carolina RN license. The upgrade application fee is $30. If you need temporary APRN licensure during processing, the fee increases to $40. Fees are subject to change, so confirm current amounts with the Board before submitting. Processing times vary based on application volume and completeness. Contact the Board for current estimates.
Endorsement applicants (out-of-state nurses)
Out-of-state nurses must submit verification of both their RN and APRN licensures. Nurses originally licensed in a NURSYS-participating state may complete this verification online. The endorsement application fee is $130, with an additional $10 for temporary licensure if needed. Confirm current fees with the Board before applying.
Note that South Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC compact applies to RN licensure, but does not eliminate the separate APRN licensure requirements. Out-of-state APRNs must still apply for South Carolina APRN licensure before practicing advanced nursing in the state.
Prescriptive authority application
Prescriptive authority requires a separate application and a $20 fee. Verify current fees with the Board before submitting, as these amounts may have changed since this page was last updated.
Renewal
APRN licenses are renewed on a biennial basis by April 3 (April 30) in numbered years.
NP Salary and Job Outlook in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners in South Carolina earned a median annual wage of $124,170 as of May 2025. That’s below the national NP median of $132,300, but reflects a state with a lower cost of living than many high-paying markets. BLS state data shows the top 25 percent of SC NPs earned $132,220 or more annually.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (SC) | Employment (SC) |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners (NP) | $124,170 | 5,670 |
| Registered Nurses (RN) | $87,670 | 49,750 |
The job outlook for NPs in South Carolina is strong. Projections Central estimates 60.7% employment growth for nurse practitioners in South Carolina between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 490 job openings per year. That growth rate is among the highest of any occupation in the state and reflects ongoing demand driven by healthcare access gaps in rural areas.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Additional Resources
The South Carolina Board of Nursing can be reached by phone at (803) 896-4550 or by email at [email protected]. The Board’s website at llr.sc.gov/nurse has application forms, the current list of approved certification organizations, and the full text of the Nurse Practice Act (Section 40-33-34).
Professional associations serving South Carolina APRNs include the APRN Chapter of the South Carolina Nurses Association and the South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Carolina have full practice authority for nurse practitioners?
No. South Carolina classifies NP practice as reduced practice. Nurse practitioners, CNMs, and CNSs who perform medical acts must do so under a written practice agreement with a physician. Full practice authority legislation has been introduced in the South Carolina General Assembly, but has not been enacted as of 2025.
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in South Carolina?
After completing an RN license, most NP candidates spend two to three years in a graduate nursing program, depending on whether they pursue an MSN or DNP. National certification and the Board application add several months. Most candidates are licensed and practicing within three to four years of starting graduate school.
What certification exams are accepted for NP licensure in South Carolina?
South Carolina accepts certifications from the ANCC, AANP, AACN, NCC, and PNCB for nurse practitioners. The accepted exam depends on your specialty area. The Board maintains an updated list of approved certification organizations on its website, and eligibility requirements can change, so confirm before registering for an exam.
Can I practice in South Carolina with an NP license from another state?
Not automatically. South Carolina’s NLC compact membership applies only to RN licensure. Out-of-state APRNs must apply for South Carolina APRN licensure through the endorsement process before practicing advanced nursing in the state, regardless of their home state license.
Is a separate application required for prescriptive authority in South Carolina?
Yes. Prescriptive authority is not included with the APRN license. NPs, CNMs, and CNSs apply separately and must document 45 contact hours of recent pharmacotherapeutics coursework (or 20 hours if already authorized in another state). The application fee is $20, though fees should be confirmed with the Board before applying, as amounts are subject to change.
Key Takeaways
- Graduate degree required — South Carolina APRNs must hold a master’s, post-master’s, or doctoral degree from a Board-approved program, with limited exemptions for nurses who completed training before 1994 or 2003.
- National certification is mandatory — NPs must pass a specialty certification exam through a Board-approved organization before the Board will issue an APRN license.
- Practice agreements govern medical acts — South Carolina is a reduced practice state. NPs, CNMs, and CNSs must have a written practice agreement with a physician to perform medical acts, including prescribing.
- Prescriptive authority requires a separate application — The APRN license and prescriptive authority are applied for separately. NPs who want to prescribe must complete 45 hours of recent pharmacotherapeutics education and pay an additional $20 fee.
- Strong job growth — Projections Central estimates 60.7% NP employment growth in South Carolina between 2022 and 2032, well above most other occupations.
Use the tool below to find South Carolina NP programs approved by the Board of Nursing, compare degree options, and request information from schools.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.