South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 47 - Physicians And Miscellaneous Health Care Professionals
Section 40-47-31. Limited and temporary licenses.

(A) Limited licenses may be issued for postgraduate medical residency training or for employment with a state agency, as approved by the board. A limited license entitles the licensee to apply for individual controlled substance registration through the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Each limited license is valid for one year or part of one year. Renewal may be considered upon approval of the board. A special limited license also may be issued to a physician licensed in another state for up to fourteen days not more than four times a year in order to authorize practice under supervision for training involving direct patient care or to explore potential employment relationships.
(B) Applicants for a limited license for medical residency training who are graduates of an approved medical school located in the United States or Canada must complete and submit an application and the appropriate application fee. A completed application must include the following:
(1) a copy of a contract in which the applicant has been offered a position in a medical residency training program accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education or American Osteopathic Association or a fellowship or a letter from the institution stating the applicant has been recommended for a medical residency training program or a fellowship. The recommendation letter must be addressed and mailed directly to the board office from the institution;
(2) a certification of medical education form approved by the board to be completed by the dean, the president, or the registrar of the applicant's medical school or as approved by the board;
(3) a supervising physician form approved by the board to be completed by the chairman or residency director of the training program;
(4) letters of recommendation from licensed physicians recommending the applicant for a limited license in this State; and
(5) verification of licensure in other states, if applicable.
(C) An applicant for a limited license for medical residency training who is a graduate of a medical school located outside the United States or Canada may be considered on an individual basis. Such applicants shall complete and submit an application and the appropriate application fee. In addition to all other requirements, a completed application must include a copy of a current or permanent Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate or documentation of successful completion of a Fifth Pathway program, or both. The board may waive this requirement if the applicant has a full-time academic faculty appointment at the rank of assistant professor or greater in a medical school in this State accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association. This requirement also may be waived if the applicant:
(1) has been licensed for five years or more without significant disciplinary action; and
(2) holds current certification by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association or another organization approved by the board.
(D) A physician in a medical residency training program in this State may apply for a permanent license at least ninety days before his or her limited license expires. No part of a limited license application may be applied to an application for a permanent license. Each application must be filed separately.
(E) A new application for a limited license for employment with a state agency may not be authorized after January 1, 2001. A current holder of a limited license for employment with a state agency may renew his or her limited license if no change of agency has occurred. A change in agency may be approved upon presentation to the board of a copy of a contract in which the limited license holder 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, or the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.
(F) A special limited license may be issued to a physician licensed in another state to authorize practice under supervision for training involving direct patient care or to explore potential employment relationships. The applicant must submit the following items:
(1) a completed application and payment of applicable fees; and
(2) a documentation from the supervising physician relating the purpose and dates requested.
(G) An emergency limited license may be issued to a physician actively licensed in another state who is in good standing in accordance with Section 40-47-160(B) and whose place of established practice has been the subject of an emergency disaster declaration by an appropriate federal or state authority. An emergency limited license is valid for one year and may be renewed upon approval of the board. This license must be limited to practice in this State while associated with a licensed physician in this State who holds an unrestricted, permanent license or while employed by a licensed healthcare facility in this State. The applicant must submit the following items:
(1) a completed application and payment of applicable fees; and
(2) such documentation as may be acceptable to the board under the circumstances to demonstrate eligibility for the limited license, including documentation of an existing license in good standing authorizing professional practice in the state which is subject to the emergency disaster declaration.
(H) A temporary license may be issued to an applicant who has met all requirements for the issuance of a permanent license, except such final verifications as may be required. A temporary license is valid for three months or more, if approved by the board. Renewal may be considered upon approval of the board.
(I) The board may not issue a limited or temporary license to a licensed physician of another state of the United States:
(1) whose license is currently revoked, suspended, restricted in any way, or on probationary status in that state; or
(2) who currently has disciplinary action pending in any state.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 385, Section 1.

Editor's Note
Prior Laws:1905 (24) 939; Civ. C. '12 Section 1621; 1920 (31) 1004; Civ. C. '22 Section 2403; 1932 Code Section 5153; 1942 Code Section 5153; 1952 Code Section 56-1356; 1962 Code Section 56-1356; 1970 (56) 2371; 1976 Code Section 40-47-80.

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