SC H5066

Establishes credentialing requirements for central service technicians who decontaminate, inspect, assemble, package, and sterilize reusable medical instruments in South Carolina healthcare facilities.

Requires technicians hired after January 1, 2027 to hold a certified registered central service technician credential, certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential, or substantially equivalent certification from a nationally accredited organization.

Grants new hires 18 months from their hire date to obtain required credentials, during which they may work on a probationary basis; failure to obtain certification prohibits continued employment as a central service technician.

Mandates 10 hours of continuing education annually for all qualified central service technicians, with content related to their job functions.

Exempts healthcare practitioners, students/interns under supervision during training, and persons holding other nationally accredited healthcare certifications from the credentialing requirements.