The South Carolina Governor's Quality Award recognizes organizations who achieve excellent performance in developing, implementing and deploying a quality management system based on the Baldrige Criteria.

The South Carolina award process is consistent with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award process. Similarly, it depends upon a trained, volunteer Board of Examiners and Judges who evaluate candidate organizations and recommend award recipients. 

Organizations who seek the award must submit a written application that includes a business overview and a description of the organization's quality management system. Each application is reviewed, commented on and scored by a team of examiners. The team of examiners reach a consensus evaluation of the application and may recommend a site visit. It is during a site visit that examiners validate the level of performance excellence that is operating within the organization. All applicants receive a written feedback report from their team of examiners highlighting the organization's strengths and areas for improvement.