TO AMEND SECTION 40-35-40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY ADMINISTRATORS, WHICH INCLUDES SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING AN EXAMINATION, SO AS TO SPECIFY THAT THE EXAMINATION MUST ONLY COVER SOUTH CAROLINA LAW, REGULATIONS, AND OTHER STATE PROVISIONS AND THAT THE EXAMINATION MUST NOT INCLUDE A NATIONAL EXAMINATION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-35-45, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR LICENSES OR COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY ADMINISTRATOR LICENSES, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION REQUIRING PASSAGE OF THE NATIONAL LICENSURE EXAMINATION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 40-35-40(A)(5) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 293 of 2004, is amended to read:

"(5)    has successfully completed the nursing home administrators' examination administered by the board, which must cover law, regulations and other provisions relating to this State and which must not include a national examination; and"

SECTION    2.    Section 40-35-40(B)(5) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 293 of 2004, is amended to read:

(5)    has successfully completed the community residential care facility administrators' examination administered by the board and has paid the established fees. The examination must cover law, regulations, and provisions relating to this State and must not include a national examination."

SECTION    3.    Section 40-35-45(F) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 293 of 2004, is amended to read:

"(F)    The board may issue a nursing home administrator's license or a community residential care facility administrator's license to a person who holds a current license as a nursing home administrator or community residential care facility administrator from another jurisdiction if the board finds that the standards for licensure in the other jurisdiction are at least the substantial equivalent of those in this State and if the applicant has passed the national and South Carolina portions of the licensure examination and is otherwise qualified."

SECTION    4.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.