REPORT: Expanding Access, Protecting Patients – A Roadmap for Scope of Practice Reform in South Carolina
South Carolina legislators are, in the 2025-26 session, amidst a serious debate about expanding healthcare access and scope of practice in our state.
At the most fundamental level, scope of practice (SOP) in healthcare policy is defined as “the activities and duties [tasks] that a licensed or certified healthcare professional is permitted to perform, based on their education, training, and experience, as outlined by state laws and regulations.” However, defining SOP boundaries in the real world for each medical professional is not so simple. This report—a broad overview—will consider the impact of SOP on healthcare access and cost, patient outcomes, and safety, while also taking into consideration reforms neighboring states are implementing. Ultimately, this report creates a roadmap to reasonable opportunities for scope of practice and healthcare access reforms in South Carolina.
