State of South Carolina
South Carolina.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
30
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topic
1
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ South Carolina requires registered nurses to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
Nursing in South Carolina.
South Carolina has approximately 70,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 5.4 million. Major health systems include MUSC Health in Charleston, Prisma Health, and AnMed Health. South Carolina's growing population, particularly in coastal areas and the Charlotte metro region, creates ongoing demand for nursing professionals.
South Carolina requires a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years or current national certification in a nursing specialty. South Carolina mandates specific training in recognizing and reporting child abuse. This flexibility allows nurses to maintain competency through certification.
Common practice settings
MUSC Charleston
The academic medical center provides specialty care and research opportunities.
Growing Metro Areas
Charleston, Greenville, and the Charlotte border region have expanding healthcare needs.
Rural SC
Rural areas of the state face healthcare shortages and hospital closures.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 30 contact hours OR maintain national certification.
02
Complete child abuse recognition training as required.
03
Use nationally accredited providers.
04
Keep certificates for at least 4 years.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in South Carolina
South Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses who may work across state lines in North Carolina or Georgia.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Contact Hour Category Must include 15 hours in contact hour category | 15h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- 15 hours must be contact hours, remaining can be alternate methods.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Contact Hour Category Must include 15 hours in contact hour category | 15h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Same requirements as RN.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
45
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
45
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
45
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
45
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
45
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs.
Additional requirements
In context. South Carolina requires 30 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, North Carolina requires fewer (15 hours), while Georgia has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, South Carolina allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Track your CEUs
Log courses, monitor progress toward South Carolina requirements.
Open tracker →
Compare states
See how South Carolina stacks up.
Compare →
Compact license guide
What the NLC means for South Carolina nurses.
Read guide →
Audit preparation
Be ready if South Carolina audits your CE compliance.
Read guide →
Verify with the source
South Carolina Board of Nursing.
Verify before relying on this
Nearby states