Requirements for serving as operating room circulator.
S.C. Code Ann. § 44-7-385
in effect(A) As used in this section, an "operating room circulator" means a registered nurse trained, educated, or experienced in perioperative nursing who is responsible for coordinating the nursing care and safety needs of a patient in the operating room and who also meets the needs of the operating room team members during surgery. (B) An operating room circulator in a health care facility must be a licensed registered nurse educated, trained, and experienced in perioperative nursing. (C) A surgical technologist may not serve as the circulator in the operating room of a health care facility; however, a person who is employed to practice surgical technology in a health care facility may assist in the performance of circulating duties: (1) consistent with the person's education, training, and experience; and (2) as assigned and supervised by a registered nurse circulator who must be present in the operating room for the duration of the surgical procedure.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t44c007.phpFetched: 10/17/2026