South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 20 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION- STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION
Here’s an overview of South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 20 – Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation: State Athletic Commission, current through State Register Vol. 49, Issue 3 (effective March 28, 2025) (regulations.justia.com):
📘 Chapter 20 – State Athletic Commission
🔹 Subchapter 1 – Definitions, Boxing Weights & Classes (§ 20‑1.1 to 20‑1.4)
Provides definitions for terms used throughout (e.g., Administrator, Admission, Bout, Boxer, Manager, Permit, Exhibition) (law.cornell.edu).
Sets weight classes and allowable weight differentials, as well as weigh-in procedures.
🔹 Subchapter 2 – Ring Equipment (§ 20‑2.1 to 20‑2.16)
Details specifications for ring dimensions, ropes, gloves, tape, mouthpieces, scales, etc. .
🔹 Subchapter 3 – Ring Safety (§ 20‑3.1 to 20‑3.20)
Rules on padding, floor coverings, emergency equipment, drug use, medical exams, vision, knockout count, and fouls to ensure contestant safety (law.justia.com).
🔹 Subchapter 4 – Licenses and Permits for Boxing (§ 20‑4.1 to 20‑4.12)
Licensing requirements for boxers, managers, promoters, seconds, referees, and others.
Permits to hold events; application processes, fees, and validity periods (law.justia.com).
🔹 Subchapters 5–8 – Roles & Participant Rules
Boxers (§ 20‑5): Medical exams, age limits, contracts, weigh-in, rest after knockout, suspensions (law.justia.com).
Managers (§ 20‑6): Qualifications, contracts, earnings share (law.justia.com).
Seconds (§ 20‑7): Limitations, duties during bouts (law.justia.com).
Referees & Judges (§ 20‑8): Licensing, conduct, scoring, fouls, and authority to stop bouts (law.justia.com).
🔹 Subchapters 9–12 – Event Oversight & Support Roles
Commission Representatives (§ 20‑9): Weigh-in oversight, reporting, enforcement (law.justia.com).
Announcers (§ 20‑10), Timekeepers (§ 20‑11), Ringside Physicians (§ 20‑12): Licensing, roles, responsibilities (law.justia.com).
🔹 Subchapters 13–14 – Media & Insurance
Media Broadcasts (§ 20‑13): Fees, agreements, reporting .
Insurance (§ 20‑14): Mandatory boxer coverage, requirements, proof (law.justia.com).
🔹 Subchapters 17–18 – Promoters & Matchmakers
Promoters (§ 20‑17): Responsibilities, scheduling, bonds, charitables (law.justia.com).
Matchmakers (§ 20‑18): Fair match rules, licensing, dealing with unlicensed/suspended counterparts (law.justia.com).
🔹 Subchapter 19 – Sparring & Charity Events (§ 20‑19)
Covers rules and fees specific to exhibitions and charitable bouts .
🔹 Subchapter 20 – Female Boxers (§ 20‑20)
Regulations and policies related to female participants .
🔹 Subchapter 21 – Hearings & Disciplinary Proceedings (§ 20‑21)
Procedures for investigations, hearings, disciplinary action .
🔹 Subchapter 22 – Kickboxing (Full‑Contact Karate) (§ 20‑22)
Licensing, event rules, amateur/professional distinctions .
🔹 Subchapter 23 – Wrestling (§ 20‑23)
Permits, licensure, event conduct for professional/amateur wrestling .
🔹 Subchapter 24 – Waiver of Rules (§ 20‑24)
Allows the Commission to waive rules when no regulation exists or in specific scenarios (e.g., animal contests) (law.justia.com).
🔹 Subchapter 25 – Off‑the‑Street Boxing (§ 20‑25)
Regulations for "Toughman" or spontaneous street-style boxing, including waivers, safety standards (law.justia.com).
🔹 Subchapter 27 – Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) (§ 20‑27)
Conduct of MMA events under Commission supervision, participant roles, prohibited moves, attire, penalties, and discipline (law.justia.com).
🔹 Subchapter 28 – Code of Professional Ethics (§ 20‑28)
Ethical standards and obligations for all licensees and participants .
🔍 Recent Updates
Chapter 20 was last amended in State Register Vol. 39, Issue 6 (June 26, 2015) (law.cornell.edu).
A regulatory review bill filed in 2025 (S.499) proposes further updates to Chapter 20 (pluralpolicy.com).
✅ Summary
Chapter 20 comprehensively regulates combat-sport events in South Carolina—including boxing, MMA, wrestling, kickboxing, and related exhibitions—by establishing standards for equipment, licensing, safety, conduct, insurance, discipline, and administration.
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