Compliance Deadline Arrives: South Carolina’s Certified Medical Assistant Act Now in Full Effect

PDF

July 15, 2026, was the deadline for individuals working as Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) to come into compliance with South Carolina’s certification requirements. In 2022, South Carolina General Assembly passed Act 171, establishing new education and certification requirements for CMAs, and expanding the role CMAs can play in supporting certain healthcare professionals. Act 171 originally gave individuals working as medical assistants two years to meet the certification requirements, but in 2024 the legislature passed Act 209, extending the compliance deadline to July 15, 2026, and expanding the educational pathways for CMA certification.

Under the Certified Medical Assistant Act:

• CMAs must satisfy the Act’s educational requirements and obtain certification from a recognized certifying program or organization.
• CMAs are permitted to perform directly delegated clinical tasks under the supervision of a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, although some tasks can only be delegated by a physician.
• CMAs must work in close proximity to the supervising healthcare professional who delegates the specific medical task and who must be immediately available to assist the CMA if needed.
• CMAs must wear a badge or identification clearly identifying them as a Certified Medical Assistant when providing care to patients.

Learn more at: https://www.maynardnexsen.com/publication-6-things-to-know-about-certified-medical-assistants-under-south-carolina-law