House Amendment 1
H 5183 - Session 125 (2023-2024)
Certified medical assistants and unlicensed assistive personnel

The Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs proposes the following amendment (LC-5183.WAB0002H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 40-47-20(57) and inserting:

 (57) "Certified medical assistant" or "CMA" means a person who: is a graduate of a post-secondary medical assisting education program accredited by the National Healthcare Association, or its successor; by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association, or its successor; by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, or its successor; or by any accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. The accredited post-secondary medical assisting education program must include courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical laboratory techniques, and clinical experience. A certified medical assistant must maintain current certification from the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants, the National Center for Competency Testing, the National Certification Medical Association, American Medical Technologists, or any other recognized certifying body approved by the Board of Medical Examiners
  (1) has completed:
   (a) a medical assisting education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or its successor, by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or its successor, or by any accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, and which must include courses or components in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical laboratory techniques, and clinical experience, provided the clinical experience component may be satisfied through an individual's work experience with a health care employer;
   (b) a Career and Technical Education Health Sciences Program approved by the South Carolina Department of Education;
   (c) a medical assisting program provided by a branch of the United States military;
   (d) a medical assisting United States Department of Labor-approved Registered Apprenticeship program; or
   (e) a training program that is delivered, in whole or in part, by a health care employer that aligns to a nationally accredited certification exam; and
  (2) a person who has complied with the provisions of subitem (1) and maintains current certification from a certifying body offering a certification program that is:
   (a) approved by the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Nursing; and
   (b) is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or other accreditation body recognized by the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Nursing. The term "certified medical assistant" or "CMA" also includes medical assistants who have maintained certification from one of the certifying entities in item (2) of this section since January 1, 2020 and individuals employed as certified medical assistants as of the effective date of this act who do not meet the education or training requirements required in this item, but who meet those requirements no later than July 15, 2026.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by deleting Section 40-47-196(C)(1)(j).