Caregiver Training Requirements in South Carolina

In-home care licensure (R.61-122). South Carolina licenses non-medical in-home care providers under Regulation 61-122, administered by the SC Department of Public Health. Caregivers must 'receive or independently obtain necessary training' for their duties — no minimum hour count is set. Source ↗

Required training topics. R.61-122 requires documented training on care specific to client conditions (including Alzheimer's disease and related dementias), confidentiality, client rights, and abuse/neglect prevention, with in-service records signed by trainer and trainee. Source ↗

Screening mandates. Before employment, in-home caregivers must pass a criminal background check and a drug test, and licensed providers must subject caregivers to random drug testing — an unusual state mandate. Source ↗

Home health aides (R.61-77). Home health agencies are licensed under Regulation 61-77; Medicare-certified agencies must meet the federal 42 CFR 484.80 standard of 75 hours of training (16 supervised practical) or competency evaluation, plus 12 hours of annual in-service. Source ↗

75-hour HHA training standard. Under 42 CFR 484.80(b), home health aides at Medicare-certified home health agencies must complete a training program of at least 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of classroom training completed before beginning at least 16 hours of supervised practical (hands-on) training. Source ↗

Competency evaluation / CNA pathway. 42 CFR 484.80(a) allows aides to qualify by completing the 75-hour training and competency evaluation program, by passing a competency evaluation alone, or by completing a state nurse aide training and competency evaluation program (CNA) and being in good standing on the state nurse aide registry. Source ↗

12-hour annual in-service. 42 CFR 484.80(d) requires home health aides to receive at least 12 hours of in-service training during each 12-month period, which may occur while the aide is furnishing care and must be supervised by a registered nurse. Source ↗

RN trainer requirements. Under 42 CFR 484.80(b)(3) and (c)(2), classroom and supervised practical training must be performed by or under the general supervision of a registered nurse with at least 2 years of nursing experience, at least 1 year of which must be in home health care; competency evaluations must likewise be performed by an RN in consultation with other professionals. Source ↗