What it requires (R.60-84):
| Requirement | Standard | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Presence | A staff member must be on duty and present at all times residents are present | §503 |
| Peak hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. unless DPH approves otherwise) | At least one staff member/direct care volunteer per eight residents or fraction thereof | §503.B.1 |
| Other times | At least one staff member/volunteer per thirty residents or fraction thereof, awake and dressed | §503.B.2 |
| Facilities licensed for more than 10 beds | A staff member available on each floor whenever residents are on it | §503.B.3 |
| Documentation | The facility must keep documentation showing it meets the ratios | §503.C |
| Private sitters | Do not count toward minimums | §506.C |
Administrator (§502): licensed as a CRCF administrator (S.C. Code §44-7-260), with a staff member designated in writing to act in the administrator's absence.
Key nuance: Under §503.B, the number and qualifications of staff are determined by the number and condition of residents, so the ratio is a floor. A facility with higher-acuity residents can be cited even while meeting 1:8.
Memory care: The regulation text reviewed has no separate ratio for Alzheimer's special care units. DPH's January 2026 study recommended higher ratios but set no number.
Practical takeaway: Document resident acuity alongside your staffing schedule, not just headcount.
Last verified against agency sources on October 30, 2026.
General information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm against the official source before you act, or ask us how this applies to your organization.