South Carolina State Board of Nursing (SCBON) · RN

South Carolina CE Requirements for Registered Nurses

30 hours. Every two years. On a fixed renewal cycle.

Updated April 2026Sourced from SCBON

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated April 25, 2026

Mandatory topics

For RNs, 30 hours is the total CE requirement. No topic requirement applies to all RNs in South Carolina. The conditional requirements below apply when the trigger described on each card is met.

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Conditional requirements

These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.

ConditionalGeneral[1]
30 hrs
Biennial

RNs choosing the CE contact hours pathway for biennial competency demonstration

View sourceVerbatim from source
“(a) completion of thirty contact hours from a continuing education provider recognized by the board;”
S.C. Code Ann. § 40-33-40(B)(1)(a)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

South Carolina State Board of Nursing (SCBON) accepts ANCC Contact Hour toward the CE requirement for RNs, along with other credit it approves.

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
Contact hours from SCBON-recognized CE providers. CE Broker is the official SCBON CE tracking platform — nurses may use CE Broker to track course history and self-report hours.SourceS.C. Code Ann. § 40-33-40(B)(1)
Board-approved credit
CE from SCBON-recognized providers. National certification/recertification, academic program completion, and employer verification of competency are alternative pathways to CE hours. Records must be retained for 4 years.SourceS.C. Code Ann. § 40-33-40
Documentation & audit

Record retention: 4 years per S.C. Code Ann. § 40-33-40(E). Non-compliance results in license suspension or cancellation pending full compliance.

Waivers & exemptions

Active-duty military personnel may claim exemption from CE requirements and fees during active service

FAQ
Does South Carolina require CE for RN license renewal?
South Carolina requires RNs to demonstrate competency biennially using one of four pathways under S.C. Code Ann. § 40-33-40: (1) 30 CE contact hours from a SCBON-recognized provider, (2) national certification maintenance or recertification, (3) completion of an academic nursing or related program, or (4) employer verification of competency and practice hours. Only one pathway needs to be completed per renewal period. Renewal is due by April 30 of every even-numbered year for all South Carolina nursing licensees.
What is CE Broker, and how does it work for South Carolina RNs?
CE Broker is the official CE tracking system designated by the South Carolina State Board of Nursing. Nurses can create a free basic CE Broker account to search for SCBON-approved courses, self-report completed contact hours, and maintain a CE transcript. CE Broker's platform allows nurses to track their progress toward the 30-hour competency requirement and provides documentation that can be used for SCBON audit purposes. Some CE providers automatically report completed hours to CE Broker, streamlining the tracking process. CE Broker can be accessed through the SCBON CE page at https://llr.sc.gov/nurse/ce.aspx.
Is South Carolina in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?
Yes. South Carolina is an NLC compact member. South Carolina-licensed RNs who meet compact eligibility requirements hold a multistate license authorizing practice in all other NLC member states. CE and renewal obligations follow the home-state rules. South Carolina RNs residing in South Carolina renew with SCBON by April 30 of each even year and must demonstrate competency through one of the four pathways in S.C. Code Ann. § 40-33-40. Nurses from other compact states practicing in South Carolina renew with their home-state boards.
Are there mandatory CE topics for South Carolina RN renewal?
No. South Carolina does not impose mandatory CE topic requirements for RNs. The 30-hour CE pathway requires only that hours come from a SCBON-recognized provider — there are no universal topic mandates (such as child abuse, cultural competency, or pharmacology) applicable to all RN licensees under the general renewal framework. The absence of mandatory topics is consistent with South Carolina's multi-pathway competency model, which provides broad flexibility in how nurses demonstrate ongoing professional competency.
Where can I check my South Carolina RN license renewal date?
South Carolina RNs can renew their license through the SCBON online renewal portal at https://eservice.llr.sc.gov/OnlineRenewals/. Because renewal uses a fixed even-year deadline (April 30), nurses do not need to look up individual renewal dates — all active South Carolina nursing licenses renew by April 30 of each even-numbered year. For license status verification, contact the SCBON at nurseboard@llr.sc.gov or (803) 896-4550.

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Other roles in South Carolina

CE requirements for Registered Nurses in other states

Sources & Citations

Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.

  1. S.C. Code Ann. § 40-33-40 — Demonstration of Competency for Initial and Renewal of Licenses
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-23
    Show verbatim text
    “(a) completion of thirty contact hours from a continuing education provider recognized by the board;”S.C. Code Ann. § 40-33-40(B)(1)(a)

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CE requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the South Carolina State Board of Nursing (SCBON), or any other state licensing board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Registered nurses are solely responsible for verifying their own current CE requirements directly with their state licensing board before relying on any information presented here.

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