Does South Carolina require a contractor license?

Yes, in most cases South Carolina requires a state license for general contractors. Residential builder license required when a residential job costs more than $5,000 (commercial jobs need a CLB license over $10,000). The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential) issues it as one of several credentials, such as Building (BD, LB Limited Building, UB Unlimited Building), Asphalt Paving or Boiler Installation.

How do I look up a contractor license in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential) keeps the record for general contractors in South Carolina. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.

How do I look up an electrician license in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, Mechanical Contractor EL classification); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential Electrician) keeps the record for electrical contractors in South Carolina.

How do I look up a plumbing license in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, PB classification); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential Plumber) keeps the record for plumbing contractors in South Carolina.

Does South Carolina have an HVAC license?

The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, AC/HT/RG/PK classifications); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential HVAC) keeps the record for HVAC contractors in South Carolina.

Do roofers need a license in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential specialty registration); South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial RF classification) keeps the record for roofing contractors in South Carolina.

South Carolina contractor license lookup

South Carolina requires state registration for roofing contractors. It issues state licenses for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and HVAC contractors. Use the official lookup below to check a contractor. Information as of October 6, 2026.

Look up a license

Trade	Credential	Board	Official lookup
General contractor	State license	South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential)	Search general contractor licenses
Electrical	State license	South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, Mechanical Contractor EL classification); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential Electrician)	Search electrical licenses
Plumbing	State license	South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, PB classification); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential Plumber)	Search plumbing licenses
HVAC	State license	South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, AC/HT/RG/PK classifications); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential HVAC)	Search HVAC licenses
Roofing	State registration (no competency license)	South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential specialty registration); South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial RF classification)	Search roofing licenses

Verify a contractor

For homeowners hiring in South Carolina.

Open the official South Carolina lookup run by commercial and search the contractor by name or number.
Open the official lookup
For electrical work, also check the electrical contractor lookup from commercial, Mechanical Contractor EL classification.
Open the lookup
For plumbing work, also check the plumbing contractor lookup from commercial, PB classification.
Open the lookup
For HVAC work, also check the HVAC contractor lookup from commercial, AC/HT/RG/PK classifications.
Open the lookup
For roofing work, also check the roofing contractor lookup from residential specialty registration.
Open the lookup
The residential lookup status ACTIVE means the contractor is properly licensed to work and pull permits in South Carolina. source A PENDING status on the residential lookup means no license has been issued and the contractor cannot do work over $500. source Commercial and residential contractors are in separate lookups: if a name returns no records on the commercial (CLB) lookup, search the Residential Builders lookup. source
Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Building (BD, LB Limited Building, UB Unlimited Building) or Asphalt Paving or Boiler Installation or Boring & Tunneling or Bridges or Concrete or Concrete Paving or Glass & Glazing or Grading or Highway or Roofing or Group #1 to Group #5 dollar limits or Residential Builder). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above Residential builder license required when a residential job costs more than $5,000 (commercial jobs need a CLB license over $10,000). source
Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Residential Builder surety bond of at least $15,000, or proof of financial responsibility the commission accept. source
Complaints against commercial contractors go to the Contractor's Licensing Board on its online complaint form, with a notarized signature. source

Homeowner protections in South Carolina

A homeowner who signs a roofing contract paid from insurance can cancel it until midnight of the fifth business day after the insurer denies coverage in writing. source
A builder or contractor may not offer to pay or rebate any part of a homeowner's insurance deductible to win a roofing sale. source

Get licensed

For a general contractor working in South Carolina.

Apply to commercial as a Building (BD, LB Limited Building, UB Unlimited Building) or Asphalt Paving or Boiler Installation or Boring & Tunneling or Bridges or Concrete or Concrete Paving or Glass & Glazing or Grading or Highway or Roofing or Group #1 to Group #5 dollar limits or Residential Builder.
Board page
Residential Builder exam required (exam waiver available in limited cases). source
Experience: 1 years (At least one year of supervised residential building experience before taking the Residential Builder exam, or other education or experience the commission approve). source
Post a residential Builder surety bond of at least $15,000, or proof of financial responsibility the commission accept. source
Pay the residential Builder application fee: $135. source
Residential Builder licenses renew for a two-year period; the current period is 2026-2028. source

Other trades

Electrical: state license, $10,000 bond, $135 fee. Requirements
Plumbing: state license, $10,000 bond, $135 fee. Requirements
HVAC: state license, $10,000 bond, $135 fee. Requirements
Roofing: state registration, $100 fee. Requirements

Requirements by trade

General contractorSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	Residential Builder exam required (exam waiver available in limited cases). source
Experience	1 years (At least one year of supervised residential building experience before taking the Residential Builder exam, or other education or experience the commission approve). source
Bond	Residential Builder surety bond of at least $15,000, or proof of financial responsibility the commission accept. source
Insurance	Not found on an official source. On an official source (statute lists workers' compensation insurance only as a factor the commission may consider).
Renewal	Residential Builder licenses renew for a two-year period; the current period is 2026-2028. source
Reciprocity	The Residential Builders Commission may license without exam applicants licensed in good standing in states it finds have comparable exam. source
Fees	$135 (Residential Builder application fee). source $220 (Residential Builder license fee, paid on approval). source $220 (Residential Builder renewal fee). source $50 (Residential Builder late renewal fee, added to the renewal fee). source $480 (Residential Builder reinstatement fee). source $350 (Commercial General or Mechanical Contractor initial license fee (CLB, for commercial jobs over $10,000)). source $135 (Commercial contractor biennial renewal fee (CLB), if renewed on time). source $350 (Commercial contractor reinstatement fee (CLB)). source

ElectricalSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	Residential electrician exam required, unless the applicant qualifies for an exam waiver. source
Experience	Not found on an official source. On an official source (work experience is verified before exam eligibility, but no minimum was found).
Bond	Surety bond of at least $10,000 when a single residential job exceeds $5,000 (Regulation 106 rule for licensed residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical contractors). source
Insurance	Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Renewal	Not found on an official source. On an official source (the residential renewals page covers only builders and home inspectors).
Reciprocity	The Residential Builders Commission may license without exam applicants licensed in good standing in states it finds have comparable exam. source
Fees	$135 (Residential electrician application fee). source $220 (Residential electrician license fee, paid on approval). source $220 (Residential license renewal fee). source $50 (Residential license late renewal fee). source $480 (Residential license reinstatement fee). source $350 (Commercial General or Mechanical Contractor initial license fee (CLB, for commercial jobs over $10,000)). source $135 (Commercial contractor biennial renewal fee (CLB), if renewed on time). source

PlumbingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	Residential plumber exam required, unless the applicant qualifies for an exam waiver. source
Experience	Not found on an official source. On an official source (work experience is verified before exam eligibility, but no minimum was found).
Bond	Surety bond of at least $10,000 when a single residential job exceeds $5,000 (Regulation 106 rule for licensed residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical contractors). source
Insurance	Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Renewal	Not found on an official source. On an official source (the residential renewals page covers only builders and home inspectors).
Reciprocity	The Residential Builders Commission may license without exam applicants licensed in good standing in states it finds have comparable exam. source
Fees	$135 (Residential plumber application fee). source $220 (Residential plumber license fee, paid on approval). source $220 (Residential license renewal fee). source $50 (Residential license late renewal fee). source $480 (Residential license reinstatement fee). source $350 (Commercial General or Mechanical Contractor initial license fee (CLB, for commercial jobs over $10,000)). source $135 (Commercial contractor biennial renewal fee (CLB), if renewed on time). source

HVACSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	Residential HVAC installer and repairer exam required, unless the applicant qualifies for an exam waiver. source
Experience	Not found on an official source. On an official source (work experience is verified before exam eligibility, but no minimum was found).
Bond	Surety bond of at least $10,000 when a single residential job exceeds $5,000 (Regulation 106 rule for licensed residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical contractors). source
Insurance	Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Renewal	Not found on an official source. On an official source (the residential renewals page covers only builders and home inspectors).
Reciprocity	The Residential Builders Commission may license without exam applicants licensed in good standing in states it finds have comparable exam. source
Fees	$135 (Residential HVAC installer and repairer application fee). source $220 (Residential HVAC installer and repairer license fee, paid on approval). source $220 (Residential license renewal fee). source $50 (Residential license late renewal fee). source $480 (Residential license reinstatement fee). source $350 (Commercial General or Mechanical Contractor initial license fee (CLB, for commercial jobs over $10,000)). source $135 (Commercial contractor biennial renewal fee (CLB), if renewed on time). source

RoofingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	No exam to register as a residential specialty contractor such as a roofer. source
Experience	Not found on an official source. On an official source (statute requires specialty contractors to be qualified and experienced but sets no minimum).
Bond	Surety bond required when a job for one property owner costs more than $5,000, in an amount the commission approve. source
Insurance	Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Renewal	Not found on an official source. On an official source (the residential renewals page covers only builders and home inspectors).
Reciprocity	Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Fees	$100 (Residential Specialty Contractor registration application fee). source $100 (Residential Specialty Contractor renewal fee). source $20 (Residential Specialty Contractor late renewal fee). source $290 (Residential Specialty Contractor reinstatement fee). source $350 (Commercial General or Mechanical Contractor initial license fee (CLB, for commercial jobs over $10,000)). source $135 (Commercial contractor biennial renewal fee (CLB), if renewed on time). source

Questions

Does South Carolina require a contractor license?: Yes, in most cases South Carolina requires a state license for general contractors. Residential builder license required when a residential job costs more than $5,000 (commercial jobs need a CLB license over $10,000). The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential) issues it as one of several credentials, such as Building (BD, LB Limited Building, UB Unlimited Building), Asphalt Paving or Boiler Installation.
How do I look up a contractor license in South Carolina?: The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential) keeps the record for general contractors in South Carolina. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.
How do I look up an electrician license in South Carolina?: The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, Mechanical Contractor EL classification); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential Electrician) keeps the record for electrical contractors in South Carolina.
How do I look up a plumbing license in South Carolina?: The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, PB classification); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential Plumber) keeps the record for plumbing contractors in South Carolina.
Does South Carolina have an HVAC license?: The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, AC/HT/RG/PK classifications); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential HVAC) keeps the record for HVAC contractors in South Carolina.
Do roofers need a license in South Carolina?: The South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential specialty registration); South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial RF classification) keeps the record for roofing contractors in South Carolina.

Sources

This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.