How to get a plumbing license in South Carolina
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, PB classification); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential Plumber) licenses plumbing contractors in South Carolina. Residential plumbing work over $500 requires a license.
Who licenses plumbing work in South Carolina
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, PB classification); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential Plumber) official statement |
| Official lookup | Search plumbing licenses |
| When a license is needed | Residential plumbing work over $500 requires a license. source |
| License types | Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (PB), Residential Plumber |
How to get licensed
- Apply to commercial, PB classification as a Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (PB) or Residential Plumber.
- Residential plumber 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 plumber application fee: $135. source
Plumbing requirements in South Carolina
| Exam | Residential plumber 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 a plumbing 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 plumbing license in South Carolina?
- South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial, PB classification); South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (Residential Plumber) licenses plumbing contractors in South Carolina. Residential plumbing work over $500 requires a license.
- How do I check 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. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does a plumbing license cost in South Carolina?
- $135 (Residential plumber application fee). $220 (Residential plumber 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
- HVAC license in South Carolina
- Roofing license in South Carolina
- All South Carolina trades
Plumbing 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/resplumber.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.