Charges, unless dismissed without hearing by the commission as unfounded or trivial, must be heard by the commission in an open hearing. A copy of the charges and a notice of the time and place of the hearing must be served on the respondent at least thirty days before the fixed date for the hearing. At the hearing the respondent may appear personally or be represented by counsel and may cross-examine witnesses against him and produce evidence and witnesses in his defense. After the commission issues its order, the respondent has thirty days to file with the commission written notice of his intention to appeal to an administrative law judge from the order of the commission. An appeal from an order of the commission is governed by the provisions of Article 3, Chapter 23 of Title 1, the Administrative Procedures Act.
S.C. Code § 40-59-90