2024 - Best LPN Programs in South Carolina

Details on South Carolina LPN Schools & Classes

With around 15 schools in the state offering practical nursing programs, prospective students in South Carolina have plenty of educational options. The community colleges and trade schools offering practical nursing programs typically design them to be completed in one year of full-time study. Those who choose to attend part-time will take longer to finish the program. Sometimes, students can choose whether to attend daytime or evening courses. Throughout the program, students will take a mix of introductory nursing courses and labs and even participate in hands-on clinical experiences. Common course titles include:

• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Pharmacology
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Medical Calculations
• Maternal, Infant, and Child Nursing
• Anatomy & Physiology

Accreditation

Students are strongly advised to choose practical nursing programs accredited by national organizations such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accredited programs are held to high academic standards and continually re-evaluated to ensure they are up to par. It’s also important to ensure that the South Carolina Board of Nursing approves any potential program.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements will vary from school to school, but most consist of some version of the following:

• High school graduate or possess a GED
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5
• SAT/ACT scores
• Official transcripts from all high schools/colleges attended
• Completion of prerequisite courses
• Satisfactory score on the TEAS exam

Tuition and Costs

Costs and expenses are the most critical considerations in deciding whether to attend a practical nursing program. While expenses will vary depending on location, type of school, and many other factors, students can expect to pay for tuition, fees, and supplies. Most schools offer financial aid options, and scholarship opportunities exist for those worried about being able to afford these costs. As an example of costs, the LPN program at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College costs approximately $9,600, not including fees for in-county residents.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our South Carolina LPN to RN/BSN programs page.

South Carolina LPN Licensing Requirements

South Carolina requires the intensive study via state-approve nursing course and examination. The applicant must pass the NCLEX-PN to be considered for licensure. To apply for licensure, the applicant must submit an application, criminal background check, and fingerprinting card to the board, as well as the following:

• Recent headshot (passport-style) photo that is signed and dated.
• Copy of birth certificate of valid passport.
• Copy of social security card (or equivalent).
• Official transcript with completion date of all coursework.

South Carolina LPN licenses expire April 30^th every even year and require 30+ contact hours of continued education.

NCLEX Exam Information

Students are required to pass the NCLEX-PN examination once they have completed their practical nursing educational program. This exam tests many aspects of the LPN curriculum and is needed in order to gain licensure. Our comprehensive guide on the examination can be found here. Additionally, this NCLEX-PN practice test can be utilized in order to study for this important examination.

LPN Reciprocity and NLC

As one of the states included in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), South Carolina allows LPNs from other NLC states to work in its hospitals, clinics, etc., without additional licensing. For nurses outside of the NLC area to work within its borders, they must apply for South Carolina licensing by endorsement and provide the following:

• Proof of current license and official transcripts from their state-approved nursing program.
• Submitting a passport-style photo.
• Submit copies of birth certificate and social security card.
• Proof of residence.
• Evidence of continued competence.
• Criminal background check.

South Carolina will issue licenses to foreign-educated and licensed individuals as long as he or she submits approval from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) after they have evaluated the official transcripts and completed a full course-by-course review. They must also prove their English proficiency by taking the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. If the applicant has yet to take the NCLEX-PN exam, it will need to be taken once the application for licensure is submitted.

2024 SC NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Statistics

• Total Number of State Approved LPN Schools: 17
• Total Number of Test Takers in 2022: 539
• 2022 Average Statewide South Carolina NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 87.9%

LPN Salary in South Carolina

The table below lists career information organized by the BLS for licensed practical nurses in South Carolina. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

Table data sourced from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm)