Title 40, Professions and Occupations

The commission shall deny licensure to an applicant who has committed an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under this chapter. The commission shall deny licensure to an applicant who has failed to demonstrate the qualifications or standards for licensure contained…

A license may be denied based on a person's prior criminal record only as provided for in Section 40-1-140.

A licensee under investigation for a violation of this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter may voluntarily surrender the license in accordance with Section 40-1-150.

A person aggrieved by a final action of the commission may seek review of the decision in accordance with Section 40-1-160.

A person found in violation of this chapter or a regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter may be required to pay costs associated with the investigation, inspection, and prosecution of the case in accordance with Section 40-1-170.

All costs and fines imposed pursuant to this chapter must be paid in accordance with and are subject to the collection and enforcement provisions of Section 40-1-180.

(A) A communication, whether oral or written, made by or on behalf of a person to the director or commission or a person designated by the director or commission to investigate or hear matters relating to discipline of a licensee, whether by way of complaint or testimony, is priv…

For the purpose of this chapter: (1) "Admissions" means the amount paid for seats to witness an event or exhibition or any fee charged for presenting an event or exhibition including, but not be limited to, complimentary tickets given in exchange for services. This term does not …

A person who violates the provisions of this chapter or a regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.

In addition to initiating a criminal proceeding for a violation of this chapter, the commission may seek civil penalties and injunctive relief in accordance with Section 40-1-210.

If a provision of this chapter or the application of a provision to a person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end th…

The commission shall issue licenses pursuant to this chapter as follows: (1) boxer; (2) wrestler; (3) manager; (4) second; (5) trainer; (6) announcer; (7) promoter; (8) promoter's representative; (9) referee; (10) judge; (11) timekeeper; (12) matchmaker; (13) professional kickbox…

(A) An application for licensure under this chapter must be submitted on an approved form, completed in its entirety. The application must be signed by the applicant. If any questions or requests for information on the application are left blank or incomplete, the commission must…

(A) In addition to the requirements of this chapter, all boxing events or exhibitions must be conducted in accordance with all applicable federal statutes and regulations including, but not limited to, 15 U.S.C. Section 6301 et seq. (B) No boxing bout shall be more than twelve ro…

(A) In order to be licensed as a boxer for an event or exhibition, an applicant: (1) must be between the ages of 18 and 35, unless the commission by a supermajority vote waives this requirement as to an individual applicant over the age of 35; (2) must not be listed on the Associ…

In order to be licensed as a contestant in a toughman contest or off the street boxing, an applicant: (1) shall be between the ages of 18 and 35; (2) must not be now or have ever been licensed in any state or jurisdiction as a professional boxer. The promoter shall provide to the…

In addition to meeting the requirements of Section 40-81-260, the promoter's representative for female boxers shall meet the following conditions: (1) No applicant shall be contracted for or engage in a contest between male and female. (2) Contests must be limited to four, six, e…

In order to be licensed as a professional kickboxer or mixed martial arts contestant for an event or exhibition, an applicant: (1) must be between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five, unless the commission by a majority vote waives this requirement as to an individual applicant …

In addition to meeting the requirements of Section 40-81-280, promoter's representative for female professional kick boxers shall meet the following conditions: (1) A commission-approved breast protector must be used. (2) Hair must be secured in a manner which will not interfere …

No person shall promote or participate in an event or exhibition without a license from the commission.

In order to be licensed as a wrestler, an applicant: (1) shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee; (2) shall submit documentation that the applicant has undergone an annual physical examination by a licensed physician and has been found physically a…

In order to be licensed as a manager, an applicant shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee.

In order to be licensed as a second, an applicant shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee.

In order to be licensed as a trainer, an applicant shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee.

In order to be licensed as an announcer, an applicant shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee.

In order to be licensed as a promoter, an applicant: (1) shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee; (2) may not have been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony, crime of moral turpitude, or other crime related to licensure.

(A) All promoters holding licenses and permits shall comply with all applicable city, county, state, and federal laws regarding licensure and events or exhibitions. Promoters shall pay the commission five percent of the total admissions received at the event or exhibition at the …

Before a permit is issued, all promoters' representatives must be identified and licensed by the commission.

In order to be licensed as a referee, an applicant: (1) shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee; (2) shall successfully pass a commission-approved written examination. A referee who has a license in good standing in this or any other state or juris…

In order to be licensed as a judge, an applicant: (1) shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee; (2) shall successfully pass a commission-approved written examination. A judge who has a license in good standing in this or any other state or jurisdict…

(A) The director of the department shall appoint an administrator, who shall assign referees, judges, and other officials necessary to administer this chapter. The department shall employ and supervise personnel necessary to effectuate the provisions of this chapter. (B) The depa…

In order to be licensed as a timekeeper, an applicant shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee.

In order to be licensed as a matchmaker, an applicant shall submit a completed application with payment of the prescribed fee.

In order to be issued an event or exhibition permit, a promoter currently licensed in this State shall: (1) submit a completed application containing the information required by the commission including, but not limited to: (a) the names and current license numbers of all partici…

In addition to the requirements of Section 40-81-420, in order to be issued an event or exhibition permit for a toughman contest or off the street boxing, a promoter currently licensed in this State shall assure that: (1) kicking shall not be permitted in off the street boxing; (…

The following licensure fees must be established by the department, in conjunction with the commission, and adjusted in accordance with Section 40-1-50(d): (1) promoter; (2) promoter's representative; (3) referee; (4) manager; (5) wrestler; (6) matchmaker; (7) boxer; (8) kickboxe…

Applications for permits received less than fifteen days before the event or exhibition may be denied and, if granted, are subject to a late fee of not less than twenty-five dollars or more than one hundred dollars per day.

The department and commission shall require that mixed martial arts events comply with the rules of a recognized professional organization or sanctioning body recognized by the commission except where those rules conflict with the laws of this State in which case the laws of this…

(A) The department representative may issue administrative citations and cease and desist orders and may assess administrative penalties against a person for violations of this chapter and Chapter 1. (B) Separate citations may be issued and separate administrative penalties may b…

(A) A boxer who sustains a succession of six defeats or a series of knockouts or technical knockouts in any state or jurisdiction may be subject to licensure denial or suspension. (B) No boxer is permitted to box while under suspension from any boxing commission due to: (1) a rec…

(A) After a knockout in a South Carolina event or exhibition, the commission shall suspend the boxer for not less than sixty days and require medical examinations as ordered by the ringside physician or the commission. All suspensions and required medical tests must be reported i…

Events or exhibitions in which weapons are used are unlawful in this State. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished in accordance with the provisions of Section 40-81-200.

It is the responsibility of the promoter or the promoter's representative to ensure compliance with the following requirements: (1) The ringside physician shall physically examine each contestant in a boxing event or exhibition not less than twenty-four hours before the event or …

(A) There is created the State Athletic Commission consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate to regulate boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts, and other combative sports in this State. One member must be appointed …

This chapter does not apply to: (1) an amateur boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, martial arts, or sparring exhibition, contest, or performance conducted by an institution of higher education or a secondary school if all participants are regularly enrolled students; (2) amateur boxin…