Does South Carolina require a home care surety bond?

No. South Carolina does not require a surety bond for non-medical home care agencies. Licensed providers must carry liability insurance or, in lieu of insurance, a surety bond, with minimum coverage of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate. A bond is one option, not a mandate.

For the license itself, see South Carolina home care agency licensing.

What is the difference between a surety bond and a fidelity bond?

A surety bond guarantees to the state or a payer that your agency will follow the rules or repay what it owes. A fidelity or employee dishonesty bond protects clients if a caregiver steals from them. Clients and referral sources often ask for the second even where the state requires neither.

What should you confirm with the state?

Oversight moved from DHEC to the South Carolina Department of Public Health in 2024, and some forms may still name DHEC. Caregiver fingerprinting isn't explicitly required by statute; confirm background check procedures with the Department of Public Health.