Nurse Practitioner Malpractice Insurance in South Carolina

As of 2026, nurse practitioner malpractice insurance in South Carolina costs roughly $232 to $2579 per year, with new graduates starting around $232. South Carolina NPs perform medical acts under a written practice agreement with a physician who is readily available for consultation, and the agreement controls which drugs, including Schedule II, you may prescribe. Because the Board audits agreements and claims can name both you and your physician, a policy in your own name is worth having.

Why a practice agreement isn't protection for South Carolina NPs

South Carolina NPs perform medical acts under a written practice agreement with a physician who is readily available, and the agreement lists the drugs you may prescribe. In a claim, that agreement is evidence of what you were authorized to do.

Meets common facility standards (often $1M / $3M total limits) in state credentialing, even when not set by statute

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Malpractice insurance cost for South Carolina NPs

South Carolina NP sample rates for full-time practice, by risk class:

As low as $232 for New Grads

~$1,158/year for N1 (e.g. dermatology; geriatrics; women's health - no L&D)

~$1,476/year for N2 (psychiatric/mental health)

~$1,888/year for N3 (family medicine, urgent care, pediatrics)

~$2,579/year for N4 (cosmetic; OB/GYN incl. labor & delivery)

These South Carolina samples are estimates; the portal prices your specialty and history.
New-Grad Discounts Available for full-time coverage (typical schedule; may vary by state):
Year 1: 80% off → Year 2: 60% → Year 3: 40% → Year 4: 20%, then phases to standard rates in Year 5.

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South Carolina NP FAQs

How much do nurse practitioners in South Carolina pay for malpractice insurance?

South Carolina doesn't require NP coverage, but your own policy is your defense, priced by specialty class. 2026 samples: $232 for new grads, $1158 to $2579 a year for experienced classes at $1M/$3M limits. Get your instant quote online.

How long can a South Carolina NP prescribe Schedule II narcotics?

Up to a five-day supply per prescription. Another prescription needs your physician's written agreement unless the patient is in hospice, palliative care or a long-term care facility.

How often must a South Carolina practice agreement be reviewed?

At least once a year. You and the physician date and sign it, and you must produce it to the Board within 72 hours if asked.

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c033.php

How much pharmacology CE do South Carolina NPs need?

20 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics every two years to renew prescriptive authority, including two hours on prescribing controlled substances if you have controlled substance authority.

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c033.php

Does South Carolina require nurse practitioners to have malpractice insurance?

No statute requires it, but hospitals, employers and payers usually do. Your physician's policy doesn't cover you, so an individual policy is the safer setup.

Source: South Carolina Board of Nursing: https://llr.sc.gov/nurse/

Can South Carolina NPs see patients by telemedicine?

Yes, under your practice agreement. You're held to the same standard of care as an in-person visit.

South Carolina NP rules

Practice agreement: A South Carolina NP performing medical acts must do so under a practice agreement with a physician who is readily available for consultation (S.C. Code 40-33-34). The agreement and any amendments must be reviewed at least annually, dated and signed by the nurse and physician, and produced to the Board within 72 hours of a request. Failing to produce it is misconduct, and the Board audits practice agreements at least every two years.

Prescribing limits: Prescriptive authority covers the drugs listed in your practice agreement. Schedules III through V may be included if listed. Schedule II non-narcotics are limited to a 30-day supply per prescription. Schedule II narcotics are limited to a five-day supply, and a further prescription needs the physician's written agreement, except for patients in hospice or palliative care or in long-term care facilities (S.C. Code 40-33-34). You also need state controlled substance registration and a DEA registration.

Prescriptive authority CE: Initial authority requires 45 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics education within the two years before applying. To renew it, document 20 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics CE every two years, and if you prescribe controlled substances, two of those 20 hours must cover prescribing controlled substances (S.C. Code 40-33-34(E)). APRNs may also practice by telemedicine under the practice agreement, held to the same standard of care as in-person visits.

Compact and insurance: South Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact state for RN licenses, but your APRN license is issued by South Carolina. The Nurse Practice Act doesn't require NPs to carry malpractice insurance. Hospitals, practices and payers usually set limits, and your collaborating physician's coverage protects the physician, not you.

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c033.php; https://llr.sc.gov/nurse/