S.C. Code Ann. § 40-47-1000 – Unlicensed person holding himself out as physician assistant; penalty; investigation; desist and refrain order; injunction; privileged communications; due process rights of respondent protected

(A) It is unlawful for a person who is not licensed under this article to hold himself out as a physician assistant. A person who holds himself out as a physician assistant without being licensed under this article, during a period of suspension, or after his license has been revoked by the board is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than three hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than ninety days, or both.
(B) For the purpose of any investigation or proceeding under the provisions of this article, the board or a person designated by the board may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, take testimony, and require the production of any documents or records which the board considers relevant to the inquiry.
(C) If the board has sufficient evidence that a person is violating a provision of this article, the board, in addition to all other remedies, may order the person to immediately desist and refrain from this conduct. The board may apply to an administrative law judge as provided under Article 5 of Chapter 23 of Title 1 for an injunction restraining the person from this conduct. An administrative law judge may issue a temporary injunction ex parte and upon notice and full hearing may issue any other order in the matter it considers proper. No bond may be required of the board by an administrative law judge as a condition to the issuance of any injunction or order contemplated by the provisions of this section.
(D) Every communication, whether oral or written, made by or on behalf of any person or firm to the board or any person designated by the board to investigate or otherwise hear matters relating to the revocation, suspension, or other restriction on a license or other discipline of a license holder, whether by way of complaint or testimony, is privileged and exempt from disclosure for any reason except to the extent disclosed in proceedings before the board. No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, may lie against the person or firm for the communication except upon other proof that the communication was made with malice.
(E) No provision of this article may be construed as prohibiting the respondent or his legal counsel from exercising the respondent's constitutional right of due process under the law or prohibiting the respondent from normal access to the charges and evidence filed against him as a part of due process under the law.