How to get a general contractor license in South Carolina
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential) licenses general contractors in South Carolina. Residential builder license required when a residential job costs more than $5,000 (commercial jobs need a CLB license over $10,000).
Who licenses general contractor work in South Carolina
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential) official statement |
| Official lookup | Search general contractor licenses |
| When a license is needed | Residential builder license required when a residential job costs more than $5,000 (commercial jobs need a CLB license over $10,000). source |
| License types | Building (BD, LB Limited Building, UB Unlimited Building), Asphalt Paving, Boiler Installation, Boring & Tunneling, Bridges, Concrete, Concrete Paving, Glass & Glazing, Grading, Highway, Roofing, Group #1 to Group #5 dollar limits, Residential Builder |
How to get licensed
- Apply to commercial for a credential such as Building (BD, LB Limited Building, UB Unlimited Building), Asphalt Paving or Boiler Installation.
- 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
General contractor requirements in South Carolina
| 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. 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 |
|
Hiring a general contractor?
See every official lookup in South Carolina, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a general contractor license in South Carolina?
- South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential) licenses general contractors in South Carolina. Residential builder license required when a residential job costs more than $5,000 (commercial jobs need a CLB license over $10,000).
- How do I check a general 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 on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does a general contractor license cost in South Carolina?
- $135 (Residential Builder application fee). $220 (Residential Builder license fee, paid on approval). $220 (Residential Builder renewal fee). $50 (Residential Builder late renewal fee, added to the renewal fee). $480 (Residential Builder reinstatement fee). $350 (Commercial General or Mechanical Contractor initial license fee (CLB, for commercial jobs over $10,000)). $135 (Commercial contractor biennial renewal fee (CLB), if renewed on time). $350 (Commercial contractor reinstatement fee (CLB)).
- How much experience do you need for a general contractor license in South Carolina?
- 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).
- How often does a general contractor license renew in South Carolina?
- Residential Builder licenses renew for a two-year period; the current period is 2026-2028.
Other trades in South Carolina
- Electrical license in South Carolina
- Plumbing license in South Carolina
- HVAC license in South Carolina
- Roofing license in South Carolina
- All South Carolina trades
General contractor license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://llr.sc.gov/clb/
- https://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/Contractors/Contractor.aspx?div=69
- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c059.php
- https://llr.sc.gov/res/resbuilder.aspx
- https://llr.sc.gov/res/renewals.aspx
- https://llr.sc.gov/clb/clb_fees.aspx
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.