Updated: Aug. 26, 2026
Overview
Nursing homes may not be established, operated, or maintained in South Carolina without first obtaining a state license from DPH in a manner provided by Article 3, Chapter 7, Title 44 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and DPH regulations. Licensed nursing homes may volunteer to participate in the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs, and DPH is charged with enforcing the federal standards on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). DPH ensures nursing homes in South Carolina comply with state licensing and federal health and safety standards.
Regulations and Code of Laws
- Regulation 60-17, Standards for Licensing Nursing Homes (pdf)
- Regulation 61-25, Retail Food Establishments (pdf)
- Omnibus Adult Protection Act
- State Certification of Need and Health Facility Licensure Act, Section 44-7-110, et seq.
- Criminal Record Checks of Direct Care Staff, Section 44-7-2910, et seq.
- Alzheimer's Special Care Disclosure Act, Section 44-36-510, et seq.
- Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
- Resident's Bill of Rights Poster (pdf)
- Español (formato PDF)
- Nursing Home Staffing Ratio Memo (updated Aug. 2025) (pdf)
Forms
To submit a federal plan of correction and/or Director of Nursing changes, email cms2567@dph.sc.gov.
- Application for Licensure (pdf)
- Administrator Change Form
- File a Complaint
- Submit a State Plan of Correction (POC)
- TB Risk Assessment (Short Form) (pdf)
CMS Regulations & Guidance
The Long Term Care Program surveys Nursing Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities (NF/SNF) for compliance with Medicare/Medicaid regulations.
Related Resources
- CMS State Operations Manual (SOM)
- Appendix I - Guidelines for Completion of Fire Safety Reports, Interpretive Guidelines for Life Safety Code Surveys (pdf)
- Appendix P - Survey Protocol for Long-Term Care Facilities (42 CFR 483 Subpart B) (pdf)
- Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities (pdf)
- Appendix Q - Guidelines for Determining Immediate and Serious Threat to Patient Health and Safety (pdf)
- Medicare and Medicaid Certified Nursing Home Comparison - The primary purpose of this tool is to provide detailed information about the performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.
Nurse Aide Abuse Registry Program
The Nurse Aide Abuse Registry Program is responsible for investigating all allegations of CNA abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property. See the Nurse Aide Registry.
Related Resources
- SOM Definitions of Abuse and Neglect (pdf)
Complaint Program
The Complaint Program investigates complaints filed against healthcare facilities. If you would like to register a complaint against a Nursing Home, or any other health facility, please visit our File a Complaint webpage.
Related Resources
- Timeframes for Reporting (Long-Term Care Facilities)
- Conducting a Thorough Investigation (pdf)
- Initial Report (pdf)
- Five-Day Follow-up Report (pdf)
Minimum Data Set (MDS) & Outcome Assessment Information Set (OASIS)
Certified nursing homes are required to conduct a comprehensive, accurate, standardized and reproducible assessment of each resident's functional capacity using the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI). Facilities are required to examine their residents no less frequently than once every three months.
Related Resources
- Read the Nursing Home RAI User's Manual
- CMS's MDS & OASIS update from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, including RAVEN/HAVEN software
Civil Money Penalty Funds (CMP) Grant
A portion of CMPs collected from nursing homes are returned to the states in which CMPs are imposed. State CMP funds may be reinvested to support activities that benefit nursing home residents and that protect or improve their quality of care or quality of life. Requests to use CMP funds may be made by various organizations and entities. Applications may be submitted by certified nursing homes, academic or research institutions, state, local or tribal governments, profit or not-for-profit, or other types of organizations.
For more information regarding CMP, click here. If you have any questions regarding CMP, please contact CMPFunds@dph.sc.gov.
Downloads & Links
- Medicaid-Utilization Requirement (pdf)
- Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Facilities - What's the Difference? (pdf)
- S.C. Survey and Certification Tags
Topics: Facilities Health, Loss of an Essential Service, Regulation & Licensing
General information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm against the official source before you act, or ask us how this applies to your organization.