South Carolina § 40-45-530 - State participation in the compact.

§ 40-45-530. State participation in the compact.

(A) To participate in the compact, a state must:

(1) participate fully in the commission's data system, including using the commission's unique identifier as defined in rules;

(2) have a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about licensees;

(3) notify the commission, in compliance with the terms of the compact and rules, of any adverse action or the availability of investigative information regarding a licensee;

(4) for initial licensure require the applicant to undergo a state criminal record check, supported by fingerprints, by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED); and a national criminal record check, supported by fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The results of these criminal record checks must be reported to the board for review in accordance with Section 40-1-140. The fees for conducting the criminal record checks shall be borne by the applicant. SLED is authorized to store the prints for notification purposes;

(5) comply with the rules of the commission;

(6) utilize a recognized national examination as a requirement for licensure pursuant to the rules of the commission; and

(7) have continuing competence requirements as a condition for license renewal.

(B) Upon adoption of this article, the member state shall have the authority to obtain biometric-based information from each physical therapy licensure applicant and submit this information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a criminal background check in accordance with 28 U.S.C. Section 534 and 42 U.S.C. Section 14616.

(C) A member state shall grant the compact privilege to a licensee holding a valid unencumbered license in another member state in accordance with the terms of the compact and rules.

(D) Member states may charge a fee for granting a compact privilege.

(E) A member state cannot participate in issuing compact privileges until such member state has completed the requirements to implement the state criminal record check, supported by fingerprints, by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED); and a national criminal record check, supported by fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and promulgated all regulations necessary to carry out the requirements of the compact, including, but not limited to, establishing fees for granting a compact privilege.

HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 226 (H.4799), SECTION 1, eff May 18, 2018.