South Carolina

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a licensed engineer who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides their services at the request of the Governor will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness. This section is limited to up to 30 days after the declaration. Click to Learn More

A health care provider or emergency medical services provider who, in good faith and without prior knowledge of an individual’s Do Not Resuscitate Order, performs CPR on the individual will not be held legally responsible or professionally disciplined for acting on the mistaken belief. An emergency medical services provider who, in good faith, believes CPR is necessary to relieve pain or suffering of an individual with a Do Not Resuscitate Order, will not be held legally responsible or professionally disciplined for providing CPR to the individual. Click to Learn More

A prescriber who, in good faith, issues a prescription or standing order for an opioid antagonist will not be held legally responsible or professionally disciplined for acting or for failing to act. Click to Learn More

When a public health emergency declaration is in effect, a health care provider who provides medical care at the direction of the Department of Health and Environmental Control will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness. Click to Learn More

When a public health emergency declaration is in effect, an emergency assistant medical examiner or coroner providing services under the direction of the Department of Health and Environmental Control will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness. Click to Learn More

A pharmacist who, in good faith, dispenses an opioid antagonist will not be held legally responsible or professionally disciplined for acting or for failing to act. Click to Learn More

An individual who, in good faith and without compensation, provides emergency care at the scene of an accident or emergency will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment. Click to Learn More

A property-owning individual who, voluntarily and without compensation, allows others to use their property for shelter during an emergency or training will not be held legally responsible for injury, death, or damage to property that results from use of the property. Click to Learn More

An individual who provides volunteer services for a charitable organization and who acts within the scope of their official duties will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

When the Department of Health and Environmental Control authorizes a mass immunization project, a physician, public health employee, or nurse who, without compensation, participates in the administration of vaccines will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness. Click to Learn More

An individual who, in good faith and without compensation, uses an AED will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness. Click to Learn More

A physician must report suspected or known cases of contagious diseases to the county health department within twenty-four hours. If the physician fails to make a report, they can be found guilty of a crime. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a licensed architect who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides their services at the request of the governor will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness. This section is limited to up to 30 days after the declaration. Click to Learn More

A health care provider who, in good faith, relies on a health care decision made by an authorized representative for the patient will not be held legally responsible or professionally disciplined. A health care provider who, in good faith, provides health care for an individual without first obtaining consent, where the individual’s health is believed to be in immediate danger, will not be held legally responsible or professionally disciplined for providing care. They can be held legally responsible if acting with carelessness. Click to Learn More

An individual who, in good faith and without compensation, provides assistance or advice in an attempt to address or prevent a hazardous material release will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. Click to Learn More

An individual who volunteers with the government has the same protections against being held legally responsible as government employees. Click to Learn More

A first responder who, in good faith, believes an individual is suffering an opioid related overdose and administers an opioid antagonist will not be held legally responsible or professionally disciplined for acting or for failing to act. Click to Learn More

A pharmacist must report increases in the number of prescriptions to treat diseases potentially caused by bioterrorism or an epidemic disease. If the pharmacist fails to make a report, they can be found guilty of a crime. Click to Learn More

A volunteer health care provider who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides medical services will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. If the situation is not an emergency, the volunteer health care provider must inform the patient they are providing the medical services for free before initiating care. Click to Learn More

After submitting an application to the South Carolina State Board of Medical Examiners, a physician can obtain a special volunteer license to practice, without compensation, under the supervision of a fully licensed physician. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a social worker who holds a license in another jurisdiction and who gives notice to the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners can practice in the state without a South Carolina license. Click to Learn More

A chiropractor can obtain a volunteer license for the exclusive purposes of providing chiropractic services to the needy or for providing chiropractic care during a declared emergency. They can also obtain an emergency license for the exclusive purposes of providing chiropractic care during a declared emergency. They must submit an application documenting their education, practice history, desired practice location, and proof of current licensure. There are no fees associated with either of the above licenses. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a pharmacist can dispense a one-time emergency refill (for up to a 15 day supply) in the area(s) affected by the emergency declaration if they have a valid prescription, the refill is not for a controlled substance, and they believe that the refill is urgently needed. A pharmacist who holds a license in another state can, as part of organized relief efforts, dispense prescription medications in the area(s) affected by the emergency declaration without obtaining a South Carolina license; an out-of-state pharmacist must carry identification to verify current licensure. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a physician who is in good standing and holds an active, out-of-state license can obtain an emergency limited license to practice in South Carolina. The physician must submit an application, fee, and any other required documents to the South Carolina State Board of Medical Examiners. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a firefighter does not need to be registered with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and does not need to complete a criminal background check to perform firefighting duties. Click to Learn More

A licensed physician, nurse, or other health care professional does not need to obtain a certification to provide emergency treatment for an individual suffering an allergic reaction to an insect sting. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, the South Carolina State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors can waive all licensure requirements for engineers and surveyors for in-state and out-of-state licensees. Click to Learn More

When an emergency declaration is in effect, a pharmacist can dispense a one-time emergency refill (for up to a 15 day supply) in the area(s) affected by the emergency declaration if they have a valid prescription, the refill is not for a controlled substance, and they believe that the refill is urgently needed. A pharmacist who holds a license in another state can, as part of organized relief efforts, dispense prescription medications in the area(s) affected by the emergency declaration without obtaining a South Carolina license; an out-of-state pharmacist must carry identification to verify current licensure. Click to Learn More