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South Carolina

South Carolina Continuing Education Requirements

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Below are details about continuing education and license renewal in South Carolina. You can skip to your profession by selecting it from the drop down list above.

When picturing the state of South Carolina, most will probably clump it together with its neighboring state to the north. However, South Carolina has many qualities that make it a unique state of its own. The largest city in South Carolina is Charleston, which has been nicknamed the “Holy City” due to its vast number of historical churches and religious diversities that call it home. Some say that if you’re lucky enough to see the city from across the water, you’ll notice that historical church steeples line most of the city’s skyline.

Charleston is deeply recognized for its large, religiously tolerant culture. If you happen to find yourself working as a nurse in the “Holy City”, you might want to research on ways to make yourself more culturally accommodating to your patients. Some researchers believe that by providing care that meets the cultural, social, and religious needs of the patient and their families, you can improve the results of the patient’s overall quality and care.

As a nursing professional, it’s a good idea to be continuously growing your education and knowledge of patient care. And patient isn’t just limited to physical injuries or illnesses, but expands to the overall well-being of your patient.

South Carolina Registered Nurse (RN)

South Carolina Requires
30 Hours
Every two years
South Carolina Board of Nursing
Approved Provider
#50-353
Instant Reporting to
South Carolina requires
30 hours Every two years
South Carolina
Approved Provider #50-353
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Multiple options to renew for this profession and state.

RNs must complete at least one of the following:

  • 30 contact hours from a continuing education provider recognized by the board
  • Maintenance of certification or re-certification by a national certifying body recognized by the board
  • Completion of an academic program of study in nursing or a related field recognized by the board
  • Verification of competency and the number of hours practiced as evidenced by employer certification on a form approved by the Board.
South Carolina Board of Nursing
Phone: 803-896-4550 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 110 Centerview Dr
Columbia, SC  29210

South Carolina Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

South Carolina Requires
30 Hours
Every two years
South Carolina Board of Nursing
Approved Provider
#50-353
Instant Reporting to
South Carolina requires
30 hours Every two years
South Carolina
Approved Provider #50-353
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Multiple options to renew for this profession and state.

Renewal of an active license biennially requires documented evidence of at least ONE of the following requirements during the licensure period: 

  1. Completion of thirty (30) contact hours from a continuing education provider recognized by the board; 
  2. Maintenance of certification or re-certification by a national certifying body recognized by the board; 
  3. Completion of an academic program of study in nursing or a related field recognized by the board; 
  4. Verification of competency and the number of hours practiced as evidenced by employer certification on a form approved by the Board. 
After obtaining a SC nurse practitioner, certified nurse mid-wife, or clinical nurse specialist license, a prescriptive authority application may be completed with the following requirement(s):
  1. Provide evidence of completion of forty-five (45) contact hours of education in pharmacotherapeutics acceptable to the board within two (2) years before application. At least fifteen (15) of the forty-five (45) hours should be in controlled substances to pursue a DEA license.
  2. New graduates (graduated within two (2) years before the application) who have completed a graduate level pharmacology course meet the educational requirements for prescriptive authority and controlled substances.
When renewing prescriptive authority:
  1. Provide evidence of twenty (20) contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics within the two (2) years before application.
  2. If renewing controlled substances, at least two (2) of the twenty (20) hours must be in controlled substances.
Special Requirements

APRNs WITH Prescriptive Authority are required to maintain their national certification AND complete 20 hours of pharmacotherapeutics with two of those hours in controlled substances.

South Carolina Board of Nursing
Phone: 803-896-4550 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 110 Centerview Dr
Columbia, SC  29210

South Carolina Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

South Carolina Requires
30 Hours
Every two years
South Carolina Board of Nursing
Approved Provider
#50-353
Instant Reporting to
South Carolina requires
30 hours Every two years
South Carolina
Approved Provider #50-353
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Complete at least one of the following:

  • 30 contact hours from a continuing education provider recognized by the board
  • maintenance of certification or re-certification by a national certifying body recognized by the board
  • completion of an academic program of study in nursing or a related field recognized by the board
  • verification of competency and the number of hours practiced as evidenced by employer certification on a form approved by the Board.
Get one year unlimited LPN CEUs $39
Sign Up
South Carolina Board of Nursing
Phone: 803-896-4550 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 110 Centerview Dr
Columbia, SC  29210

South Carolina Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Friday, November 3, 2023
CEs not required.
You must renew your certification every 24 months through the Credentia portal. To be eligible for renewal, you must work a minimum of eight paid hours as a CNA.

No continuing education is required for renewal. Please check with your facility/employer to ensure CEUFast courses are accepted. 
South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid
Phone: 888-549-0820 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: P. O. Box 8206
Columbia, SC  29202-8206

South Carolina Physical Therapist (PT)

South Carolina Requires
30 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Instant Reporting to
South Carolina requires
30 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Monday, August 7, 2023

All physical therapists and assistants must earn 30 contact hours of continuing education biennially. Three (3) contact hours must be completed in ethics, professionalism, and/or South Carolina Jurisprudence.

Some Courses Provided
Ethics for Healthcare Professionals
Special Requirements
(1) A licensed PT or PTA shall earn three (3.0) CEUs per biennium period and at least fifteen (15) contact hours of the three (3.0) CEUs total must be obtained through the completion of Certified Activities. PTs and PTAs licensed in South Carolina are not subject to this requirement for the first biennium renewal period in which they are initially licensed.
(2) A PT or PTA must complete three (3) contact hours of study in ethics, professionalism, and/or South Carolina jurisprudence per biennium as part of his/her CEU requirements. This requirement shall be obtained by participation in a Certified Activity and will count towards the licensee’s required Certified Activity hours.
(3) At least fifteen (15) of the required thirty (30) contact hours shall be from Certified Activities.
(4) A licensee may obtain up to fifteen (15) hours of CEU credit through Approved Activities per biennium.

CEUFast courses are approved by the Flordia Board of Physical Therapy.  This approval is recognized by the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy. 
Required Courses
Get one year unlimited PT CEUs $39
Sign Up
South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy
Phone: 803-896-4655 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 110 Centerview Drive
Columbia, SC  29211

South Carolina Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

South Carolina Requires
30 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Instant Reporting to
South Carolina requires
30 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Monday, August 7, 2023

All physical therapists and assistants must earn 30 contact hours of continuing education biennially. Three (3) contact hours must be completed in ethics, professionalism, and/or South Carolina Jurisprudence.

Special Requirements
(1) A licensed PT or PTA shall earn three (3.0) CEUs per biennium period and at least fifteen (15) contact hours of the three (3.0) CEUs total must be obtained through the completion of Certified Activities. PTs and PTAs licensed in South Carolina are not subject to this requirement for the first biennium renewal period in which they are initially licensed.
(2) A PT or PTA must complete three (3) contact hours of study in ethics, professionalism, and/or South Carolina jurisprudence per biennium as part of his/her CEU requirements. This requirement shall be obtained by participation in a Certified Activity and will count towards the licensee’s required Certified Activity hours.
(3) At least fifteen (15) of the required thirty (30) contact hours shall be from Certified Activities.
(4) A licensee may obtain up to fifteen (15) hours of CEU credit through Approved Activities per biennium.

CEUFast courses are approved by the Flordia Board of Physical Therapy.  This approval is recognized by the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy. 
Required Courses
Get one year unlimited PTA CEUs $39
Sign Up
South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy
Phone: 803-896-4655 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 110 Centerview Drive
Columbia, SC  29211

South Carolina Athletic Trainer (AT/AL)

South Carolina Requires
2 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
South Carolina requires
2 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Monday, August 7, 2023
Athletic Trainers must renew their license every two years.  Athletic Trainers are required to earn 2 DHEC CEUs from the SCATA Meeting and maintain CPR certification by the American Red Cross or American Herat Association.
Special Requirements
If you did not attend the SCATA symposium, additional training or classes must be sent for approval to Kevin Ennis before submitting your renewal application.  Please contact Mr. Ennis at 843-838-5907 or kevin.ennis@rocketmail.com.  Do not send training or classes to DHEC for approval. 
Get one year unlimited AT CEUs $39
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SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
Phone: 803-545-4204 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC  29201

South Carolina Occupational Therapist (OT)

South Carolina Requires
16 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Instant Reporting to
South Carolina requires
16 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Monday, August 7, 2023
 All licenses are valid for a period of time not to exceed two years.  It is the Licensee's responsibility to renew the license on March fifteenth. A licensee must complete sixteen hours of continuing education per biennium.
Get one year unlimited OT CEUs $39
Sign Up
South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy
Phone: 803-896-4683 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 110 Centerview Dr.
Columbia, SC  29210

South Carolina Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)

South Carolina Requires
16 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
Instant Reporting to
South Carolina requires
16 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Instant Reporting to CE Broker
Last Updated: Monday, August 7, 2023
 All licenses are valid for a period of time not to exceed two years.  It is the Licensee's responsibility to renew the license on March fifteenth. A licensee must complete sixteen hours of continuing education per biennium.
Get one year unlimited OTA CEUs $39
Sign Up
South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy
Phone: 803-896-4683 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 110 Centerview Dr.
Columbia, SC  29210

South Carolina Respiratory Therapist (RT)

South Carolina Requires
30 Hours
Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
South Carolina requires
30 hours Every two years
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Thursday, September 28, 2023
You must have completed at least thirty (30) hours of continuing education.
Get one year unlimited RT CEUs $39
Sign Up
South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners
Phone: 803-896-4500 Website: Visit Site Email: Contact Address: 110 Centerview Dr
Columbia  29210

South Carolina Medical Assistant (MA)

ANCC
Approved Provider
#P0274
ANCC
Approved Provider #P0274
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
In South Carolina, medical assistants are not required to obtain licensure or certification from state organizations in order to work in the medical field.