A Review of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control Certificate of Need Program
February 2022

2026 FOLLOW-UP (PDF)     REPORT (PDF)     SUMMARY (PDF)

Members of the S.C. General Assembly requested that we conduct an audit of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Certificate of Need program. Note that the agency formerly known as DHEC was restructured in 2024; the Certificate of Need Program is now housed under the S.C. Department of Public Health (DPH).

Objectives

• Examine potential areas for reform of the certificate of need program.
• Review the certificate of need process.
• Review the role of staff in administering the certificate of need program.
• Review COVID-19 pandemic related issue pertaining to the certificate of need program.
• Review the role providers play in the certificate of need process.

A Follow-Up Review of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control Certificate of Need Program
May 2026