South Carolina Continuing Education Requirements

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Ethics for Healthcare Professionals

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.

• Ethics for Healthcare Professionals

• Proof of continuing education:
  • A course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) offered by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association or any other cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course approved by the Department
  • Two (2) Continuing Education courses approved by the Department in consultation with the Athletic Trainers’ Advisory Committee.
• Proof of current certification by the Board of Cerification, Inc.