Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.

What the South Carolina data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

South Carolina sets the entry bar for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s at 1,108 training hours and a passing score on NCLEX-PN. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under South Carolina's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Budget $102 to get started, plus $72 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For licensed practical nurse (lpn)s, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
59/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · South Carolina

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,108 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$102
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$36/yr
$72 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,108 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$102
Renewal Fee
$72
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) All South Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina's requirements cover 1108 hours of education or training, the NCLEX-PN exam, and an initial fee of $102. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in South Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed licensed practical nurse (lpn) in South Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements including 1108 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to South Carolina from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s nationally works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into South Carolina. Verify the specifics with the South Carolina licensing board.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensing in South Carolina. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in South Carolina? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in South Carolina, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $72.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in South Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the South Carolina licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.