How to get an HVAC license in South Carolina
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, AC/HT/RG/PK classifications); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential HVAC) licenses HVAC contractors in South Carolina. Residential HVAC work over $500 requires a license.
Who licenses HVAC work in South Carolina
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, AC/HT/RG/PK classifications); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential HVAC) official statement |
| Official lookup | Search HVAC licenses |
| When a license is needed | Residential HVAC work over $500 requires a license. source |
| License types | Mechanical Contractor - Air Conditioning (AC), Mechanical Contractor - Heating (HT), Mechanical Contractor - Refrigeration (RG), Mechanical Contractor - Packaged Equipment (PK), Residential HVAC Installer and Repairer |
How to get licensed
- Apply to commercial, AC/HT/RG/PK classifications for a credential such as Mechanical Contractor - Air Conditioning (AC), Mechanical Contractor - Heating (HT) or Mechanical Contractor - Refrigeration (RG).
- Residential HVAC installer and repairer exam required, unless the applicant qualifies for an exam waiver. source
- Post a 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
- Pay the residential HVAC installer and repairer application fee: $135. source
HVAC requirements in South Carolina
| Exam | Residential HVAC installer and repairer exam required, unless the applicant qualifies for an exam waiver. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | 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. |
| Renewal | Not found 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 |
|
Hiring an HVAC contractor?
See every official lookup in South Carolina, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need an HVAC license in South Carolina?
- South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, AC/HT/RG/PK classifications); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential HVAC) licenses HVAC contractors in South Carolina. Residential HVAC work over $500 requires a license.
- How do I check an HVAC license in South Carolina?
- 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. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does an HVAC license cost in South Carolina?
- $135 (Residential HVAC installer and repairer application fee). $220 (Residential HVAC installer and repairer license fee, paid on approval). $220 (Residential license renewal fee). $50 (Residential license late renewal fee). $480 (Residential license 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).
Other trades in South Carolina
- General contractor license in South Carolina
- Electrical license in South Carolina
- Plumbing license in South Carolina
- Roofing license in South Carolina
- All South Carolina trades
HVAC 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/res/reshvac.aspx
- https://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/Resbu/Resbu.aspx?div=46
- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%20106.pdf
- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c059.php
- 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.