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H. 3254
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. W. Newton, Erickson and Bradley
Document Path: LC-0024WAB25.docx
Introduced in the House on January 14, 2025
Introduced in the Senate on February 18, 2025
Passed by the General Assembly on February 26, 2026
Summary: Physician licensure
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
| Date | Body | Action Description with journal page number |
|---|---|---|
| 12/5/2024 | House | Prefiled |
| 12/5/2024 | House | Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs |
| 1/14/2025 | House | Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 145) |
| 1/14/2025 | House | Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 145) |
| 2/4/2025 | House | Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Erickson, Bradley |
| 2/12/2025 | House | Committee report: Favorable Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 8) |
| 2/13/2025 | House | Read second time (House Journal-page 57) |
| 2/13/2025 | House | Roll call Yeas-104 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 57) |
| 2/13/2025 | House | Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day (House Journal-page 57) |
| 2/18/2025 | Senate | Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 7) |
| 2/18/2025 | Senate | Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs (Senate Journal-page 7) |
| 2/19/2026 | Senate | Committee report: Favorable Medical Affairs (Senate Journal-page 6) |
| 2/25/2026 | Senate | Read second time (Senate Journal-page 25) |
| 2/25/2026 | Senate | Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 25) |
| 2/26/2026 | Senate | Read third time and enrolled (Senate Journal-page 10) |
| 3/5/2026 | Ratified R 108 |
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
(R108, H3254)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 40-47-32, RELATING TO SPECIAL EXAMINATIONS AND RELATED CRITERIA REQUIRED OF APPLICANTS FOR PERMANENT MEDICAL LICENSURE BY THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE BOARD MAY WAIVE CERTAIN EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS FOUND TO POSSESS THE GENERAL MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED TO COMPETENTLY PRACTICE MEDICINE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Special examinations, waivers
SECTION 1. Section 40-47-32(E) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
(E)(1) The additional examination required pursuant to subsection (D) must be waived if the applicant is to practice in a position within the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, or the Disability Determination Services Unit of the State Agency of Vocational Rehabilitation. A license issued pursuant to this waiver is immediately invalid if the individual leaves that position or acts outside the scope of employment within the department. A change in agency may be approved upon presentation to the board of a copy of a contract in which the individual has been offered a position within the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, or the Disability Determination Services Unit of the State Agency of Vocational Rehabilitation.
(2) The additional examination required pursuant to subsection (D) may be waived if the board determines the applicant possesses the requisite general medical knowledge to competently practice medicine. In making this determination, the board shall make findings of fact concerning the education and experience of the applicant.
Time effective
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Ratified the 5th day of March, 2026.
Approved the _____________ day of _________________________________________2026.
This web page was last updated on March 5, 2026 at 3:03 PM