(1) be a citizen of the United States and of this State;

(2) be a qualified elector of the applicable county;

(3) have:

(a) a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution; or

(b) at least four years’ experience:

(i) in the fields of law, real estate, or accounting; or

(ii) as an employee in a register of deeds office in this State; or

(iii) as a register of deeds in this State; and

(c) for an appointed register of deeds, a person must comply with any county requirements not conflicting with the qualifications in this section and the Constitution of South Carolina; and

(4) not have a pattern of failing to properly record in the time and manner prescribed in § 30-5-90.

(B) A quo warranto action may be brought in accordance with § 15-63-60 to determine a person’s eligibility to seek the position of register of deeds or continue to serve as register of deeds.