board of nursing south carolina

The South Carolina Board of Nursing was formed in 1904 to protect the health, safety and welfare of patients. The board licenses, regulates and controls nursing education and practice in the state to ensure that all citizens receive the highest quality of care.

board of nursing south carolina

1 South Carolina Board of Nursing

The South Carolina Board of Nursing (SCBON) is a state agency that works to protect the health and safety of the public. The SCBON regulates nurses through licensure, education programs and discipline.

The SCBON licenses RNs, LPNs, CNAs and CNSs who provide patient care in all settings in South Carolina. The board also approves nursing programs leading to licensure as an RN or APRN.

2 The South Carolina Board of Nursing was formed in 1904 to protect the health, safety and welfare of patients. The board licenses, regulates and controls nursing education and practice in the state to ensure that all citizens receive the highest quality of care.

The South Carolina Board of Nursing was formed in 1904 to protect the health, safety and welfare of patients. The board licenses, regulates and controls nursing education and practice in the state to ensure that all citizens receive the highest quality of care.

The board also protects nurses from unfair competition by unlicensed individuals who may pose a risk to public health or safety. In addition, it upholds ethical standards for all licensed nurses working in South Carolina.

3 Licensure Requirements

As a nurse, you will be required to meet several state and federal regulations. The South Carolina Board of Nursing oversees the licensure process and ensures that all nurses practice ethically. You must meet these requirements:

• Pass a criminal background check
• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a current CPR card

4 You must be a graduate of a nursing program that is approved by the S.C. Board of Nursing.

You must be a graduate of a nursing program that is approved by the S.C. Board of Nursing.

To become licensed as a registered nurse with the state, you must:

• Graduate from an approved nursing program at one of these colleges and universities in South Carolina:
• University of Charleston – Charleston (Bachelor’s Degree)
• Lander University – Greenwood (Bachelor’s Degree)
• Trident Technical College – North Charleston (Associate Degree)

5 Applicants must have a current CPR card.

• Applicants must have a current CPR card.
• A valid certification must be in good standing, which means that it is not suspended or revoked by the certifying body.
• Certification expires after two years and may not be extended.
• The last date of certification must be within five years of date of application.

6 Applicants must pass the NCLEX-RN examination with a minimum score of 85 percent.

The NCLEX-RN is a multiple-choice computer-based examination that measures the competence of an individual to safely and effectively care for individuals, families, groups and communities across the lifespan. The test is designed to assess how well you meet the professional role requirements for registered nurses.

The NCLEX-RN consists of up to 265 items, with multiple choice questions that have four possible answers (A, B, C or D). Each answer is weighted equally in determining your final score. Question number one may be answered incorrectly while question 275 may also be answered incorrectly but if they are answered incorrectly then they will not be counted toward your overall score since there are no right or wrong answers on the test; all you need to do is choose one of the four choices provided at each question.

7 Applicants must submit fingerprints for a background check.

The board requires applicants to submit fingerprints for a background check. The purpose of a fingerprint-based criminal background check is to verify the identity of the applicant and provide an additional tool for identifying persons posing as unqualified individuals. It does not substitute for or determine if someone is qualified to be a nurse.

In order to be fingerprinted, you will need to have your fingerprints done by one of our approved Live Scan vendors:

• ATS Healthcare Services
• CBH Health Services Inc., License # L050028
• Carolina Biometrics Company LLC (CBC), License # L099060

8 Nurses who have been disciplined in another state or have committed crimes will not be eligible for licensure in South Carolina.

The South Carolina Board of Nursing (SCBON) protects the public by ensuring that nurses provide safe and quality care. To do this, it:

• Administers examinations and issues licenses to applicants who meet its requirements for licensure;
• Investigates complaints and takes appropriate disciplinary action against nurses charged with unprofessional conduct;
• Provides continuing education and other services to nursing professionals in South Carolina.

9 Anyone interested in getting licensed as a nurse in South Carolina must meet certain requirements set forth by the state’s Board of Nursing.

Anyone interested in getting licensed as a nurse in South Carolina must meet certain requirements set forth by the state’s Board of Nursing.

The Board currently has no minimum age requirement for licensure, but does mandate that all applicants be at least 18 years old to receive their license.

Any student who wishes to take the entry-level NCLEX exam must have graduated from an accredited nursing school within the past two years (or will graduate within the next six months). If you are unable to meet this requirement because you have been out of school for an extended period, you may still qualify if:

• You passed your final examinations before leaving college or university

OR

• Your previous educational institution was accredited by one of these agencies: Health Care Personnel Accreditation Commission; National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; and/or Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

Closing

The South Carolina Board of Nursing regulates and licenses nurses in the state as well as keeps track of any disciplinary action taken by other state boards. Nurses who have been disciplined in another state or have committed crimes will not be eligible for licensure in South Carolina.