South Carolina § 40-42-10 - Definitions.

§ 40-42-10. Definitions.

As used in this title unless the context requires a different meaning:

(1) "Licensing board" means the licensing board that is responsible for licensing or disciplining an individual who provides health care pursuant to this title.

(2) "Health care" means any care, treatment, service, assessment, counsel, education, or procedure to maintain, monitor, diagnose, or otherwise affect an individual's physical or mental illness, injury, or condition.

(3) "Licensee" means a professional licensed by a licensing board and authorized to practice health care pursuant to this title.

(4) "Scope of practice" means the extent of a licensee's authority to provide health care. The term includes a condition on authority imposed by the licensee's practice act or licensing board, including but not limited to the requirement to perform telehealth pursuant to a practice agreement as defined in Section 40-33-20(45) or within written scope of practice guidelines under physician supervision pursuant to Section 40-47-935.

(5) "Telehealth" means the use of electronic communications, information technology, or other means to deliver clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health, or health administration between a licensee in one location and a patient in another location with or without an intervening licensee.

(6) "Unprofessional conduct" means an act or behavior that fails to meet the minimally acceptable standard expected of similarly situated professionals including, but not limited to, conduct that may be harmful to the health, safety, and welfare of the public, conduct that may reflect negatively on one's fitness to practice, or conduct that may violate any provision of the code of ethics adopted by the licensee's respective board or a specialty.

HISTORY: 2024 Act No. 120 (H.4159), SECTION 2, eff March 11, 2024.