South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-12 - STANDARDS FOR LICENSING ABORTION CLINICS
Part I - DEFINITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE
Section 61-12.I.102 - License Requirements

A. License. It shall be unlawful to operate an abortion clinic within South Carolina without possessing a valid license issued annually by the Department. (I)

B. Issuance of License. A license is issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 44-41-10 et seq., of the S.C. Code of Laws of 1976, as amended, and these standards, and shall be posted in a conspicuous place in a public area within the facility. The issuance of a license does not guarantee adequacy of individual care, treatment, personal safety, fire safety or the well-being of any occupant of a facility. A license is not assignable or transferable and is subject to revocation by the Department for failure to comply with the laws and regulations of the State of South Carolina.

C. Effective Date and Term of License. A license shall be effective for a 12-month period following the date of issue and shall expire one year following such date; however, a facility that has not been inspected during that year may continue to operate under its existing license until an inspection has occurred.

D. Separate Licenses. Separate licenses are required for facilities not maintained on the same premises.

E. Licensing Fees. The initial and annual license fee shall be $500.00 for each licensed facility. Such fee shall be made payable to the Department. Fees are non-refundable.

F. Inspections. Each facility shall be inspected prior to initial licensure and at least annually thereafter by authorized representatives of the Department.

G. Initial License. A new facility, or one that has not been continuously licensed under these or prior standards, shall not provide care to patients until it has been issued an initial license. When it is determined that the facility is in compliance with the requirements of these standards, and a properly completed application and licensing fee have been received by the Department, a license shall be issued. Chapter 9 of this regulation sets forth the prerequisites for initial licensure. (I)

H. License Renewal. Applicants for an annual license renewal shall file an application with the Department, pay a license fee, and undergo a licensing inspection.

I. Noncompliance. When noncompliance(s) with the licensing standards exists, the applicant or licensee shall be notified by the Department of the violation(s) and required to provide information as to how and when each violation will be corrected and how future occurrences may be prevented.

J. Facility Name. No proposed abortion clinic shall be named, nor may any existing abortion clinic have its name changed to, the same or similar name as any other abortion clinic licensed in the State. If it is part of a "chain operation" it shall then have the geographic area in which it is located as part of its name.

K. Change of License. A facility shall request issuance of an amended license by application to the Department prior to any of the following circumstances:

L. Exceptions to Licensing Standards. The Department may make exception(s) to these standards where it is determined that the health and welfare of the community require the services of the facility and that the exception(s), as granted, will have no significant adverse impact on the health, safety, or welfare of the facility's patients.