S.C. Code Ann. Regs. 87-1 – Designated Examiners.

A. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the laws relating to the commitment of mentally ill persons, the South Carolina Mental Health Commission hereby establishes the following qualifications needed for persons to act as designated examiners:
1. (1) Nurses -state license plus four years’ psychiatric experience, or master’s degree with license and two years’ psychiatric experience; or
2. (2) Counselors -master’s degree in counseling (or very closely related area) plus two years’ related experience (clinical chaplains are considered in this category); or
3. (3) Social Workers -master’s degree in social work plus two years’ related experience; or
4. (4) Psychologists -Ph.D. in psychology plus one year’s related experience or master’s degree plus two years’ related experience; or
5. (5) Any mental health professional as listed in subsections A(1) through (4) who has the appropriate license and education, who has at least one year of intensive full-time experience working with committed patients in a unit of a Department of Mental Health psychiatric hospital, who is certified by the chief of professional services and the director of the facility as being competent and qualified to serve as a designated examiner, and who is approved by the Department of Mental Health Office of Quality Assurance —Standards, Advocacy and Monitoring may be appointed as designated examiner for examinations and hearings held within that facility.
B. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the laws relating to the commitment of chemically dependent persons, the South Carolina Mental Health Commission hereby establishes the following qualifications needed for persons to act as designated examiners:
1. (1) Those qualified designated examiners listed in Section A above; or
2. (2) Alcohol and drug abuse counselors with a master’s degree in a related field and two years of experience and credentialed by the South Carolina Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SCCADA); or
3. (3) Alcohol and drug abuse counselors with a bachelor’s degree and four years’ experience in the field of addiction services and credentialed by SCCADA as a clinical counselor.
C. A current listing of those individuals known to meet the necessary qualifications shall be maintained by the Department of Mental Health Office of Quality Assurance -Standards, Advocacy and Monitoring.
D. The Department of Mental Health will consider applications by individuals whose training and experience might not meet precisely the specified qualifications. Approval may be granted if the applicant’s particular credentials are determined to be sufficient.