South Carolina — Spanish moss over Charleston alley

South Carolina Certified Nursing Assistant License

South Carolina LLR

Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
1 Week
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

What You'll Need

  • Proof of Training — Certificate of completion from your approved CNA training program.
  • State Competency Exam Results — Official verification of passing your state's nurse aide competency evaluation.
  • Fingerprint background check — through IdentoGO (IDEMIA)
  • Application fee — $0

How to Apply

  1. Complete an Approved Training Program ▾
    Successfully complete a state-approved Nurse Aide training program in South Carolina. If you have equivalent out-of-state experience, you may qualify for endorsement.
  2. Create a Credentia Account ▾
    Register for an account on the Credentia SC Nurse Aide Registry portal by clicking 'First-time user? Click here to register' on the homepage and following the prompts.
  3. Apply for Competency Exam ▾
    Submit an application through your Credentia SC Nurse Aide Registry account to register for the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Examination.
  4. Schedule and Pass Exam ▾
    Schedule and successfully pass both the written/oral and clinical skills components of the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Examination administered by Credentia.
  5. Placement on Registry ▾
    Upon successful completion of the examination, your name will be automatically added to the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry.
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
1 Week
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

Transfer License

Contact the South Carolina LLR for current transfer requirements.

Steps

  1. Submit Your Application ▾
    Apply through the South Carolina LLR.
  2. Provide License Verification ▾
    South Carolina requires official verification of your active out-of-state license. This must be sent directly to the board from your current state board or its official online verification system before your file can be considered complete.
  3. Provide Proof of Training ▾
    Certificate of completion from your approved CNA training program.
  4. Submit Your State Competency Exam Results ▾
    Official verification of passing your state's nurse aide competency evaluation.
  5. Complete Fingerprinting and Background Screening ▾
    South Carolina requires a criminal background check for all applicants. Out-of-state applicants can use IdentoGO Out-of-State Live Scan OR FD-258 hard card via mail. Completing prints outside South Carolina can add 2-4 weeks to your processing time.
  6. Await Board Processing ▾
    Plan for a processing timeline of about 1 Week once your file is complete. If you need to start working immediately, most states do not offer temporary practice authorization for CNAs during the endorsement process. Contact the state nurse aide registry directly for current policies on practice authorization while your application is pending.
Total Fee
Contact board
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
South Carolina LLR

Keeping Your License Active

South Carolina Certified Nursing Assistant licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the South Carolina LLR for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Fees

ItemAmount

Slow Downs

Fingerprinting delays ▾
Out-of-state prints can add 2-4 weeks to your timeline.
Missing or incomplete documents ▾
Have all your documents ready before starting the application to avoid processing delays.
Application errors ▾
Double-check that your name matches across all documents exactly. Mismatches are a common reason for delays.

Questions

How much does South Carolina CNA endorsement cost? ▾
There is no application fee for CNA endorsement in South Carolina. However, background check fees may apply.
Is a background check required? ▾
Yes, a fingerprint-based background check is required in South Carolina.
How long does it take to transfer my CNA certification to South Carolina? ▾
Most endorsement applications take 2 to 4 Weeks.
Can I start working in South Carolina while waiting? ▾
Check with the state board about temporary practice permits while your endorsement is being processed.

Board Info

South Carolina LLR
Phone1-877-336-3199
Sources