Senate advances H 43 42 to broaden instructor licensing pathways for dental and veterinary schools; committee amendment adopted 39-0

The South Carolina Senate on an unspecified session day adopted a committee amendment to H 43 42 that expands the ways an individual can qualify for a restricted instructor license in dentistry and establishes parallel qualification routes for veterinary instructors. The amendment was adopted by voice and the bill received a 39-0 second-reading tally.

Senator from Buford, who explained the bill and the committee amendment, said the change would allow the licensing board to waive certain credentialing requirements when an applicant holds a full-time academic faculty appointment. "In other words, in addition to those particular credentialing requirements that I just recited to you, if you're an instructor, if you're a professor in a dental school, that can discharge and satisfy those particular requirements to be an instructor," he said.

The underlying bill revises the code's licensing criteria for restricted instructor licenses for dental educators, which previously required specified advanced education or training paths. The committee amendment adds similar criteria for veterinary instruction, specifying qualifying pathways such as holding a valid veterinary license in another U.S. state or territory, graduating from an AVMA-accredited veterinary college, or possessing other board-approved credentials.

Senator Buford moved to adopt the committee amendment; the amendment was agreed to by the Senate. A roll call was required for second reading. After the reading clerk called the roll and recorded votes and leaves, the clerk reported a final tally of 39 to 0 in favor, and H 43 42 received a second reading.

The bill now remains on the Senate calendar for further consideration; a third reading or final passage will be scheduled per the chamber's calendar.