S.C. Code Ann. § 40-37-20 – South Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry; members; nomination; appointment; vacancies; general duties; terms; removal

(A) There is created the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry which consists of seven members. Five members must be licensed optometrists appointed by the Governor upon nomination by all licensed optometrists in this State through an election conducted by the board. The Governor may reject any or all of those nominated upon satisfactory showing of the unfitness of those rejected. If the Governor declines to appoint any of the nominees submitted, additional nominees must be submitted in the same manner. Vacancies must be filled in like manner by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired portion of the term. Two members of the board must be members of the general public who do not derive their income or support from any optical or related business or who are not related to any members of these professions. These public members may be nominated by any individual, group, or association, and are appointed by the Governor.
(B) The board is responsible for examining applicants for optometric licenses and for diagnostic and therapeutic certifications, for investigating complaints, and for investigating and prosecuting violations of this chapter.
(C) The members of the board are appointed for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. No person may serve more than two consecutive four-year terms on the board, except that if a person is appointed to fill an unexpired term on the board, the person may be reappointed for two additional four-year terms. The Governor may remove a member of the board who has been guilty of continued neglect of board duties or who is found to be incompetent or for just cause. No member may be removed without first giving the member an opportunity to refute the charges filed against the member, who must be given a copy of the charges at the time they are filed.