S.C. Code Ann. § 9-1-580

(A) Any persons employed by a hospital, which is an employer under the system by application, in the capacity of a physician, nursing service personnel, technicians, housekeeping personnel, dietary personnel, and laundry personnel may elect not to become members of the South Carolina Retirement System, if this option is exercised within thirty days after they enter upon the discharge of their duties. The option provided for in this section is irrevocable. (B) If for any reason, a determination is made that a person who exercised the option provided for in subsection (A) is entitled to any benefit provided pursuant to this title, the cost to establish service credit must be calculated pursuant to Section 9-1-1140(A). This calculation must be based on the person's current salary or career highest fiscal year salary for any period of time the person was employed in a position that otherwise would have been covered by membership in the system, regardless of whether the person requests to purchase all of the eligible service credit. The calculated cost must be paid solely by the person's employer, the person, or any combination of these. (C) For purposes of this section, "physician" means a person who is licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in this State in accordance with Chapter 47, Title 40.