S.C. Code Ann. § 40-47-955 – Scope of physician assistant's practice; physical presence requirements of supervising physician; practices in separate locations; granting of exceptions

(A) The supervising physician is responsible for all aspects of the physician assistant's practice. Supervision must be continuous but must not be construed as necessarily requiring the physical presence of the supervising physician at the time and place where the services are rendered, except as otherwise required for limited licensees. The supervising physician shall identify the physician assistant's scope of practice and determine the delegation of medical acts, tasks, or functions. Medical acts, tasks, or functions must be defined in approved written guidelines which must be appropriate to the physician assistant's ability and knowledge.
(B) In an on-site practice setting, the supervising physician or alternate supervising physician physically must be present at the same location as the physician assistant at least seventy-five percent of the time each month the physician assistant is providing services at the same location as the supervising physician or alternate supervising physician. The physician assistant may not provide services in the absence of the supervising physician or alternate supervising physician for more than seven consecutive days each month without the prior written approval of the board. The board may grant in writing exceptions to the seventy-five percent direct supervision requirement provided for in this subsection.
(C) For off-site practice, a physician assistant must have six months of clinical experience with the current supervising physician before being permitted to practice at a location off site from the supervising physician, except that a physician assistant who has at least two years continuous practice in South Carolina in the same specialty will be permitted to practice at a location off site from the supervising physician after three months clinical experience with the supervising physician and upon request of the supervising physician. This three-month requirement may be waived for experienced physician assistants and supervisors upon recommendation of the committee and approval by the board. The off-site location may not be more than forty-five miles or sixty minutes travel time from the supervising physician or alternate supervising physician without written approval of the board. The supervising physician or alternate supervising physician must be physically present at the off-site location not less than twenty percent of the time each month the physician assistant is providing services there. Notice of off-site practice must be filed with the administrative staff of the board before off-site practice may be authorized. The supervising physician or alternate must review, initial, and date the off-site physician assistant's charts not later than five working days from the date of service if not sooner as proportionate to the acuity of care and practice setting.
(D) A supervising physician may not supervise more than two physician assistants.
(E) Upon written request, and recommendation of the committee, the board may authorize exceptions to the requirements of this section.