If you hold a South Carolina RN license, the South Carolina Board of Nursing requires you to satisfy one of several continuing-competency options each two-year renewal cycle. The most common option is 30 contact hours of Board-recognized continuing education, but you can also maintain a national certification, complete an approved employer competency assessment, or finish an approved academic nursing program. Below is the full breakdown of what you need and when it is due.
30 hours (one option)
30 contact hours of CE is the most common competency option.
Certification alternative
National certification or recertification can satisfy the requirement.
Renews April 30
Licenses expire April 30 of even-numbered years.
Approved providers
CE must come from Board-recognized or ANCC-accredited providers.
How South Carolina RN continuing competency works
South Carolina requires RNs to meet one of several continuing-competency options every two years: 30 contact hours of CE, maintenance of a national certification, an approved employer competency assessment, or completion of an approved academic nursing program.
Mandated subject requirements
South Carolina does not currently mandate specific CE subject hours for RNs beyond the overall continuing-competency requirement. Confirm current rules with the Board.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
South Carolina RN licenses renew every two years, expiring April 30 of even-numbered years. Complete and document your chosen competency option before that date.
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Always confirm with your licensing board
South Carolina RN licenses renew biennially, expiring April 30 of even-numbered years. RNs may satisfy continuing competency with one of several options: 30 contact hours of Board-recognized CE, maintenance of a national certification/recertification, an approved employer competency assessment, or completion of an approved academic nursing program.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the South Carolina Board of Nursing before relying on these figures.
Source: South Carolina Board of Nursing. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Nurse Licensure Compact: active. Active. One multistate RN/LPN license from the home state authorizes practice in member states; practice-state requirements (including CE) may still overlay.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Also licensing in South Carolina or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
South Carolina RN Continuing Education Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do South Carolina RNs need?
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30 contact hours every two years is one option; you can also satisfy continuing competency through national certification or another approved pathway.
When do South Carolina RN licenses renew?
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Every two years, expiring April 30 of even-numbered years.
Can certification replace CE in South Carolina?
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Yes — maintaining a national certification or recertification recognized by the Board satisfies the requirement.
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