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.

DPH's Bureau of Healthcare Quality is responsible for licensing various health care facilities, activities, and professionals in South Carolina and for enforcing compliance with the applicable state regulations and statutes relating to these health care facilities, activities, and professionals to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of South Carolina. In addition, we investigate complaints and serious incidents.

Licensing Inspections

Here are key facts about DPH's Healthcare Quality inspections:

Emergency preparedness resources for Medicare providers, including information on how to request 1135 Waivers, Fee-for-Service Emergency Q&As, and general Emergency Provider FAQs.

For potential waiver requests during an applicable event, it is helpful for requestors to clearly state, in any format they choose, information that will address the scope of the issue and the impact of the disaster including the following basic information:

Emergency Meal Planning

When a hurricane or other disaster strikes, kidney dialysis patients may be without their normal scheduled dialysis treatments until electrical power in hospitals or renal dialysis facilities have been restored. It is important to follow a limited diet if dialysis has to be missed. Therefore, dialysis patients will have to extend the life of their last treatment by watching their diets.

HFC Organization and Staff Contacts

The following staff organization by state regions is used as a guideline for project assignments and may vary based on the needs of the project and the workloads of the staff members.

Main Phone: (803) 545-4215

• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Code of Federal Regulations (searchable)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• CLIA Laboratory Certificate Information
• CMS Survey & Certification Letters

Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) Program surveys intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability. Surveyors meet professional qualifications of the designation Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP).

ICF/IID Regulations 42 CFR 483 Subpart I Interpretive Guidance: SOM Appendix J (pdf)

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) Division of Health Facilities Construction reviews plans, specifications, and construction for health care facilities which DPH licenses in South Carolina. This authority comes from the South Carolina Legislature. Some health care facility types such as doctors' offices and clinics are not licensed by DPH and thus are not reviewed or inspected by us.

• Overview
• Contact Us
• Construction Standards and Related Topics
• Procedure To Receive Approval To Re-Ope

Updated: March 18, 2026

It is required by International Fire Code to notify DPH Division of Health Facilities Construction (DHFC) fire officials, and local fire officials, anytime fire detection, alarm and extinguishing systems are in an non-operative condition: