The bill S. 45 seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to grant Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) full practice authority, allowing them to perform medical acts independently without the need for a practice agreement. A new section, 40-33-31, is introduced, which stipulates that APRNs must complete 2,000 clinical hours, maintain malpractice insurance, and receive board approval to qualify for this authority. This change significantly alters the current requirement that necessitates practice agreements for many medical acts. The bill also revises definitions and requirements related to nursing practice, clarifying that APRNs with full practice authority are exempt from practice agreement mandates.

Additionally, the bill mandates biennial audits of practice agreements and requires licensees without full practice authority to inform the board of any changes in their practice settings or supervising physicians within fifteen business days. It outlines specific educational requirements for nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists seeking prescriptive authority, including training in pharmacotherapeutics and controlled substances. The bill also allows APRNs to perform medical acts via telemedicine under a practice agreement without needing a separate medical license, while ensuring they adhere to the same standards of care as traditional in-person medical practices. Overall, S. 45 aims to enhance the regulatory framework for APRNs, improving healthcare access and efficiency in South Carolina while maintaining patient safety.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 40-33-31, 40-33-20, 40-33-34, 40-33-42, 40-33-110
Latest Version: 40-33-31, 40-33-20, 40-33-34, 40-33-42, 40-33-110