How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in South Carolina

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One can earn an LPN license in South Carolina after finishing an approved LPN program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam.

Your nursing career may start quicker and more efficiently if you enroll in an LPN program.

Enrolling in a recognized and quality LPN school with the necessary accreditation is the initial step in ensuring that the skills you acquire are unparalleled.

Your school choice is also a significant determinant in establishing when you can put your skills to work.

A handful of community colleges, private career colleges, and technical centers in South Carolina provide the LPN program.

Determining which school to enroll in is the most challenging decision.

5 Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in South Carolina

Here are a few institutions that can help you establish your nursing profession by providing you with a top-notch education:

1. Trident Technical College

Trident Technical College Logo

Trident Technical College is the largest institution in the Lowcountry offering nursing education.

One of the most renowned LPN institutions in South Carolina, Trident Technical College, is on the frontline of high-quality nursing education.

The college’s philosophy is to cultivate well-rounded individuals with employable abilities such as critical thinking and cooperation.

This 12-month curriculum is split into three semesters.

The program consists of 43 credits and is taught utilizing various instructional approaches, such as classroom teaching and lab exercises.

In-state residents’ tuition is $5,033, while out-of-state residents’ tuition is $8,484.

2. ECPI University

ECPI University Logo

The primary purpose of the LPN program is to equip students with the necessary nursing care abilities.

The Practical Nursing program at ECPI heavily emphasizes critical thinking, cooperation, and nursing theory.

The 48-credit, 15-month practical nursing curriculum is taught through the classroom, lab activities, clinical sessions, and other techniques.

The entire program includes 1,621 contact hours.

Throughout the course, students will obtain knowledge of various nursing and surgical disciplines and experience in obstetrics, pediatrics, and leadership.

The curriculum is presented utilizing a combination of techniques, including classroom instruction and laboratory exercises.

Approximately $9,720 is the cost of tuition for the Practical Nursing program.

3. Williamsburg Technical College

Williamsburg Technical College Logo

The LPN program at WTC strives to impart training, skills, and dispositions necessary to optimize the student’s academic experience.

To become capable and educated LPNs, individuals must possess specific skills.

Students with refined skills can attract recognition at work, thereby enhancing their portfolios.

The program includes 48 credits over 40 weeks divided into three consecutive semesters.

By the end of the program, students will be able to perform various procedures under the supervision of doctors.

The WTC practical nursing program also creates a pathway for students to further their studies in AND or RN.

The cost of tuition per semester is $6000.

4. Piedmont Technical College

Piedmont Technical College Logo

The purpose of the Practical Nursing (PN) program is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to deliver supervised health care to people at all life stages and in various settings.

The one-year program consists of three semesters offered on two campuses—enrollments in the spring at the Laurens campus and the fall at the Lex Walters Campus-Greenwood.

Graduates of the LPN course are eligible to sit for the Practical Nurse National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN).

The Piedmont LPN to ADN transition program equips licensed practical nurses (LPNs) for further nursing education to be promoted.

The tuition ranges from $180 to $350 per credit hour for part-time students, depending on their residency.

Full-time students taking 12 credits will pay between $2200 and $4200 subject to their residency.

5. Horry Georgetown Technical College

Horry Georgetown Technical College Logo

Horry Georgetown is one of the universities that provide practical training to assist students in thriving nursing jobs.

The 48-credit-hour, 12-month program in practical nursing begins each year in the fall and spring semesters.

This course consists of three components.

Students undergo clinical training in a range of healthcare settings under the supervision of a professional mentor as part of their practical experience.

The program is delivered through a combination of classroom lectures and laboratory exercises.

The local tuition rate is $5,356, whereas the international students pay $8,620.

Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in South Carolina – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in South Carolina

School NameAddress
Trident Technical College7000 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406
ECPI University250 Berryhill Rd Suite 300, Columbia, SC 29210
Williamsburg Technical College 601 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Kingstree, SC 29556
Piedmont Technical College620 Emerald Rd N, Greenwood, SC 29646
Horry Georgetown Technical College2050 US-501, Conway, SC 29526

Expected Salary

In South Carolina, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn an average of $19.66 per hour or $40,890 annually.

This wage is less than $6,160 of the national average salary.

Annual Salary Range:
$43K
$47K
$52K

Average Salary of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s in South Carolina

City NameSalary
Columbia$46,895
Charleston$48,059
North Charleston$48,059
Greenville$48,072
Rock Hill$49,813
Mount Pleasant$48,059
Spartanburg$47,297
Sumter$45,253
Hilton Head Island$47,246
Florence$45,617
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in South Carolina

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Charleston-North Charleston, SC1,220$58,720$28.23$71,590$49,710
Columbia, SC1,620$58,280$28.02$71,360$47,200
Florence, SC680$52,450$25.22$61,840$42,010
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC1,760$56,330$27.08$70,510$41,780
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC320$56,240$27.04$63,570$41,670
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC780$52,690$25.33$61,540$46,060
Spartanburg, SC490$58,000$27.89$69,410$46,810
Sumter, SC150$53,840$25.89$63,930$47,090
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, OCC Code 29-2061, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the predicted increase in the number of practical nurses in South Carolina?

Over the next ten years, employment of licensed practical nurses is projected to increase by 10 percent in South Carolina.

How much does it cost to renew an LPN license in South Carolina?

The total cost to have your LPN license renewed is $75.

How often must an LPN's certification be renewed?

The LPN licenses in South Carolina are valid for two years.

After two years, the license is void and should be renewed.

What are the requirements for obtaining an LPN license in South Carolina?

To receive the LPN license, applicants must provide proof of a diploma, degree, or certificate from a recognized nursing program.

For the South Carolina Board of Nursing to recognize the completion, the dean or director of the nursing program must certify the completion date.

Can an LPN in South Carolina start an IV?

The LPN in South Carolina cannot initiate blood, blood products/components, hyperalimentation, or the administration of chemotherapeutic medicines.

The LPN may also not perform intravenous injections.

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