South Carolina H 3479: Skills-Based Hiring Act

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 3479 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 06, 2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 3479

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE 
"SKILLS-BASED HIRING ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 1, TITLE 40 SO AS TO 
PROVIDE CERTAIN SKILLS-BASED HIRING INITIATIVES TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY BARRIERS 
TO EMPLOYMENT BY CUTTING RED TAPE AND ADDRESSING WORKFORCE SHORTAGES ACROSS 
SKILLED JOBS, AND TO INCLUDE AMONG THESE INITIATIVES AN EXPEDITED PROFESSIONAL 
AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING PROCESS FOR PERSONS LICENSED IN OTHER STATES, 
APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING THROUGH 
QUALIFIED APPRENTICESHIPS, AND PUBLIC SECTOR REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS 
AS A PATHWAY TO FULL-TIME PERMANENT APPOINTMENTS OR EMPLOYMENT IN STATE 
GOVERNMENT.

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

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "Skills-Based Hiring Act."

SECTION 2. Chapter 1, Title 40 of the S.C. Code is amended by 
adding:

Article 5

Skills-Based Hiring Initiatives

 Section 
40-1-710. (A) The purpose of this 
section is to remove unnecessary barriers to employment by cutting red tape and 
addressing workforce shortages across skilled jobs, thereby making it easier 
for previously-licensed individuals with applicable skills to get their occupational 
licenses when moving.

 (B) 
Upon receipt of a completed application, application fee, and consent to a 
criminal records background check, and any requisite fee, a licensing board 
under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation shall issue a 
professional or occupational license, certificate of registration, or 
certification to any person who documents that he holds a valid, current 
corresponding license, certificate of registration, or certification in good 
standing issued by another state if:

 (1) 
the state that issued the license has, or had at the time of issuance, 
education, training, and examination requirements for licensure, registration, 
or certification substantially equivalent to the current standards of this 
State, as determined by the applicable board or committee;

 (2) 
the applicant had been practicing under that license in a field or position 
substantially related, as determined by the board or committee, to the 
profession for which licensure in this State is sought, for at least one year 
within the five years before the date of the application; and

 (3) 
the requirements of this section have been satisfied with respect to the 
person.

 (B) 
Prior to issuance of the license, certificate of registration, or certification 
pursuant to item (1), the board or committee shall have received or obtained:

 (1) 
documentation reasonably satisfactory to the board that the applicant's 
license, certificate of registration, or certification in that other state is 
valid, current, and in good standing including, as appropriate, confirming such 
directly with the issuing state;

 (2) 
if the person seeking licensure as a healthcare professional as defined in 
state law, or if a criminal history background check is otherwise required 
prior to licensure in this State, the results of a criminal records background 
check by SLED or the FBI; and

 (3) 
designation of an agent for service of process if the applicant is not a 
resident of the State and does not have an office in the State.

 (C) 
For purposes of this section:

 (1) 
"Good standing" means that:

 (a) 
no action has been taken against the license of an applicant by any licensing 
board; 

 (b) 
no action affecting the applicant's privileges to practice his profession has 
been taken by any out-of-state institution, organization, or employer;

 (c) 
no disciplinary proceeding is pending that could affect the privileges of the 
applicant to practice his profession;

 (d) 
all fines levied against the applicant by any out-of-state board have been 
paid; and

 (e) 
there is no pending or final action by any criminal authority for a violation 
of law or regulation, or any arrest or conviction for any:

 (i) 
criminal or quasicriminal offense under the laws of the United States, this 
State, or another state including, but not limited to, criminal homicide, 
aggravated assault, sexual assault, criminal sexual conduct, or lewdness; or

 (ii) 
offense involving any controlled dangerous substance or controlled dangerous 
substance analog.

 (2) 
"Substantially equivalent" means an examination need not be identical to the 
current examination requirements of this State, but such examination shall be 
nationally recognized and of comparable scope and rigor.

 (D) An 
applicant shall satisfy or shall have satisfied all applicable prerequisites 
required for initial licensure in this State, such as obtaining