50-State Construction Licensing Compliance Guide
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Overview
State Information

South Carolina Construction Licensing

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Licenses are typically required for individuals and businesses that provide construction industry services. This guide contains information about construction industry licensing in South Carolina.

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Company Licenses

South Carolina Construction and Contracting Company Licenses

South Carolina Asbestos Abatement Contractor License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - Asbestos Program

Initial Registration

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$100

Registration Renewal

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$100

South Carolina Combined Burglar & Fire Alarm Contractor License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation - Contractors Licensing Board
Insurance Requirements:

A Certificate of Liability Insurance ($100,000 minimum coverage) must be submitted in the DBA name, and have the same address. The insurer affording the general liability coverage must be licensed to write insurance policies in South Carolina. The “Certificate Holder” on the form must be listed as the “SC Contractor’s Licensing Board”.

Qualifying Individual Requirements:

All licensees must designate a primary qualifying party who has passed the required examinations and is a fulltime employee holding a managerial or supervisory position.

Initial Registration

Form:

Doc #130: Burglar and/or Fire Alarm Contractor Business License Application

Agency Fee:

$400

Notarization Required?:Required
Required Attachments:
  • PSI exam score sheets
  • NTS Level I or II certificate; or NICET Level II or III certificate (as applicable)
  • Criminal background report(s): All burglar alarm examinees and principal officers must submit a Criminal Background Check/Report.
  • Certificate of Liability Insurance
  • List of owners/officers including title, social security number, date of birth, address, and telephone.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$170

Due:

By July 31 of even-numbered years.

Required Attachments:
  • Certificate of Insurance (COI)

South Carolina Fire Alarm Contractor License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation - Contractors Licensing Board
Insurance Requirements:

A Certificate of Liability Insurance ($100,000 minimum coverage) must be submitted in the DBA name, and have the same address. The insurer affording the general liability coverage must be licensed to write insurance policies in South Carolina. The “Certificate Holder” on the form must be listed as the “SC Contractor’s Licensing Board”.

Qualifying Individual Requirements:

All licensees must designate a primary qualifying party who has passed the required examinations and is a fulltime employee holding a managerial or supervisory position.

Initial Registration

Form:

Doc #130: Burglar and/or Fire Alarm Contractor Business License Application

Agency Fee:

$200

Notarization Required?:Required
Required Attachments:
  • PSI exam score sheets
  • NTS Level I or II certificate; or NICET Level II or III certificate
  • Criminal background report(s): All burglar alarm examinees and principal officers must submit a Criminal Background Check/Report.
  • Certificate of Liability Insurance
  • List of owners/officers including title, social security number, date of birth, address, and telephone.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$85

Due:

By July 31 of even-numbered years.

South Carolina Fire Equipment License

Agency:South Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshall
Law:
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

For an initial application, please contact Susan Mazzone via email at susan.mazzone@llr.sc.gov

Filing Method:

Online 

Agency Fee:

See fee schedule here

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

See fee schedule here

Due:

Biennially by April 30. 

South Carolina Fire Sprinkler Contractor License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation - Contractors Licensing Board

Initial Registration

Form:

South Carolina Fire Sprinkler Contractor License

Agency Fee:

$200

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

By July 31 of even-numbered years.

South Carolina General Contractor License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation - Contractors Licensing Board
Financial Requirements:

  • General contractors must meet a net worth requirement or submit a surety bond.
  • Net worth requirements vary by group numbers and are as follows: Group 1: $10,000; Group 2: $40,000; Group 3: $100,000; Group 4: $175,000; Group 5: $250,000.
  • For proof of meeting the net worth requirement, contractors in groups 1 or 2 must submit a self-prepared, notarized balance sheet; contractors in groups 3 or 4 must submit a financial statement reviewed on a GAAP basis; and contractors in group 5 must submit a financial statement audited on a GAAP basis.
Bond Requirements:

General contractors must submit a surety bond or meet a net worth requirement. Bond amounts vary by group numbers and are as follows: Group 1: $20,000; Group 2: $80,000; Group 3: $200,000; Group 4: $350,000; Group 5: $500,000.

Notes:

General contractor licenses are issued in 5 different group numbers: Group 1 contractors are eligible to work on projects costing $50,000 or less; Group 2 contractors are eligible for projects costing up to $200,000; Group 3 contractors are eligible for projects costing up to $500,000; Group 4 contractors are eligible for projects costing up to $1,500,000; and Group 5 contractors are eligible for projects of any cost.

Initial Registration

Form:

Document #165: General and Mechanical Contractor's License - Initial Application

Agency Fee:

$350 if applying during the first year of the biennial license period and $175 if applying during the second half of the biennial license period.

Notarization Required?:Required
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. Register your business with the South Carolina Secretary of State 
  2. Appoint an individual to take and pass the PSI Exam/NASCLA Exam 
  3. Appoint an individual to pass the South Carolina Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors Exam  
  4. Prepare a Financial Statement 

 

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Foreign qualify your business with the South Carolina Secretary of State
  2. Appoint an individual to take and pass the PSI Exam/NASCLA Exam 
  3. Ensure you have a license in good standing in the jurisdiction that administered the reciprocating exam if applying for a waiver/reciprocity
  4. Appoint an individual to pass the South Carolina Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors Exam  
  5. Prepare a Financial Statement 
Required Attachments:
  • Financial document: you must choose to submit either a financial statement or a surety bond for your selected Group Limitation. 
  • PSI Technical Exam pass report 
  • NASCLA Exam Transcript 
  • Waiver/Reciprocity: submit an Exam Waiver of License Verification from a state that South Carolina has an agreement with (listed on application). 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$135

Due:

By October 31 of even-numbered years.

Notes:

Licensees in groups 1-4 must fill out the balance sheet attached to the renewal application, and licensees in group 5 must submit a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement.

Amendment
Change of Qualifying Party

Form:

Form 180: Revision Application for General and Mechanical Contractors

Filing Method:

Mail, fax, or email to CONTACT.CLB@LLR.SC.GOV

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

When a primary qualifying party ceases to serve as the primary qualifying party for a licensee, the licensee and the primary qualifying party must notify the department in writing within 15 days of the disassociation. The licensee then has 90 days to appoint a new qualifier.

Law:

SC Code § 40-11-230 

Notarization Required?:Required
Notes:

To remove a qualifying party, submit the Revision Application Form listing the qualifying party's name, social security number and the date he/she left the company.

Required Attachments:
  • A copy of the new qualifier's Social Security card
  • A copy of a valid government issued ID for the new qualifier.
  • PSI sheets (if applying via exam) or state verification form (if applying via waiver)

South Carolina Lead Abatement Company License

Not required



Lead Services Company licensure is not required on the State level in South Carolina.

South Carolina does not have a state-issued lead abatement license; instead, these licenses are administered federally by the EPA.

South Carolina Mechanical Contractor License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation - Contractors Licensing Board
Financial Requirements:

  • Mechanical contractors must meet a net worth requirement or submit a surety bond.
  • Net worth requirements vary by group numbers and are as follows: Group 1: $3,500; Group 2: $10,000; Group 3: $20,000; Group 4: $40,000; Group 5: $200,000.
  • For proof of meeting the net worth requirement, contractors in groups 1 or 2 must submit a self-prepared, notarized balance sheet; contractors in groups 3 or 4 must submit a financial statement reviewed on a GAAP basis; and contractors in group 5 must submit a financial statement audited on a GAAP basis.
Bond Requirements:

Mechanical contractors must submit a surety bond or meet a net worth requirement. Bond amounts vary by group numbers and are as follows: Group 1: $7,000; Group 2: $20,000; Group 3: $40,000; Group 4: $80,000; Group 5: $400,000.

Notes:

Mechanical contractor licenses are issued in 5 different group numbers: Group 1 contractors are eligible to work on projects costing $17,500 or less; Group 2 contractors are eligible for projects costing up to $50,000; Group 3 contractors are eligible for projects costing up to $100,000; Group 4 contractors are eligible for projects costing up to $200,000; and Group 5 contractors are eligible for projects of any cost.

Initial Registration

Form:

Document #165: General and Mechanical Contractor's License - Initial Application

Agency Fee:

$350 if applying during the first year of the biennial license period and $175 if applying during the second half of the biennial license period.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$135

Due:

By October 31 of odd-numbered years.

Notes:

Licensees in groups 1-4 must fill out the balance sheet attached to the renewal application, and licensees in group 5 must submit a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement.

South Carolina Residential Contractor Certificate of Authorization

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - Residential Builders Commission
Bond Requirements:

$15,000 surety bond

Notes:

When an individual is practicing residential home building, residential specialty contracting, or home inspecting in his name as individually licensed, or if an individual has at least fifty-one percent of the ownership interest and is the sole resident licensee for the firm, that person or entity is not required to obtain a certificate of authorization.

Initial Registration

Form:

Certificate of Authorization Application

Agency Fee:

$100

Notarization Required?:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Application For Certificate Of Authorization

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Local Construction and Contracting Company Licenses

Charleston County Commercial Contractor License

Agency:Charleston County Building Inspection Services (SC)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Contractor License Application (Long)

Filing Method:

Mail or in-person

Agency Fee:

$50/license + $6/set of vehicle decals

Required Attachments:

Registration Renewal

Form:

Commercial Contractor License Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online

Agency Fee:

$50/license + $6/set of replacement vehicle decals or $3/set of replacement vehicle decals (year sticker only)

Due:

Annually by February 1

Penalties:

Applications submitted greater than 90 days past the expiration of a license will have to pay a $50/license application fee in addition to the licensing fees

Required Attachments:

Individual Licenses

South Carolina Individual Construction and Contracting Licenses

South Carolina Asbestos Air Sampler License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - Asbestos Program

Initial Registration

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by the date of last training completed.

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

South Carolina Asbestos Consultant/Building Inspector License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - Asbestos Program

Initial Registration

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by the date of last training completed.

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

South Carolina Asbestos Consultant/Management Planner License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - Asbestos Program

Initial Registration

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by the date of last training completed.

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

South Carolina Asbestos Consultant/Project Designer License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - Asbestos Program

Initial Registration

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by the date of last training completed.

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

South Carolina Asbestos Supervisor (AHERA) License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - Asbestos Program

Initial Registration

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$50

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

Annually by the date of last training completed.

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

South Carolina Asbestos Worker (AHERA) License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - Asbestos Program

Initial Registration

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$10

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Asbestos Abatement License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$10

Due:

Annually by the date of last training completed.

Notes:

Must complete Department of Health and Environmental Control approved training for initial and renewal licensing.

South Carolina Fire Equipment License

Agency:South Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshall
Law:
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Qualifying Individual Requirements:
  • To apply, one must have ICC Certification for the following:
    • FM-Portable Fire Extinguisher Technician and/or
    • M-Pre-engineered kitchen fire extinguishing systems technician

Initial Registration

Form:

For an initial application, please contact Susan Mazzone via email at susan.mazzone@llr.sc.gov

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

See fee schedule here

Before you Apply:
  • To apply, one must have ICC Certification for the following:
    • FM-Portable Fire Extinguisher Technician and/or
    • M-Pre-engineered kitchen fire extinguishing systems technician

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online 

Agency Fee:

See fee schedule here. 

Due:

Biennially by April 30. 

South Carolina Lead Abatement Individual License

Not required



Lead Services Individual licensure is not required on the State level in South Carolina.

South Carolina does not have a state-issued lead abatement license; instead, these licenses are administered federally by the EPA.

South Carolina Residential Home Builder License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - Residential Builders Commission

Initial Registration

Form:

South Carolina Residential Home Builder License

Agency Fee:

100; after passing the exam, you must pay $160 if the license is issued on or between July 1 even numbered year to June 30, odd numbered year or $80 if the license is issued on or between July 1, odd numbered year to June 30, even numbered year

Notarization Required?:Required
Notes:

The application is good for one (1) year from the date of receipt. If all required information is not received within this one (1) year period you must begin the application process from the beginning.

Registration Renewal

Form:

South Carolina Residential Home Builder License Renewal

Agency Fee:

$160

Due:

By June 30 of even-numbered years.

South Carolina Residential Specialty Contractor Electrical License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - Residential Builders Commission

Initial Registration

Form:

Residential Specialty Electrical License Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$160 if the license is issued on or between July 1st of odd-numbered years and June 30th of even-numbered years; $80 if the license is issued on or between July 1st of even-numbered years and June 30th of odd-numbered years.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$160

Due:

By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

South Carolina Residential Specialty Contractor Heating and Air Conditioning License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - Residential Builders Commission

Initial Registration

Form:

Residential Specialty HVAC License Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$160 if the license is issued on or between July 1st of odd-numbered years and June 30th of even-numbered years; $80 if the license is issued on or between July 1st of even-numbered years and June 30th of odd-numbered years.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$160

Due:

By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

South Carolina Residential Specialty Contractor Plumbing License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - Residential Builders Commission

Initial Registration

Form:

Residential Specialty Plumbing License Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$160 if the license is issued on or between July 1st of odd-numbered years and June 30th of even-numbered years; $80 if the license is issued on or between July 1st of even-numbered years and June 30th of odd-numbered years.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$160

Due:

By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

South Carolina Residential Specialty Contractor Registration

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - Residential Builders Commission

Initial Registration

Form:

South Carolina Residential Specialty Contractor Registration

Agency Fee:

$100 if the registration application is received on or between July 1, odd numbered year to June 30, even numberedyear; $50 if the registration application is received on or between July 1, even numbered year to June 30, odd numbered year.

Notarization Required?:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

South Carolina Residential Specialty Contractor Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

Local Construction and Contracting Individual Licenses

Myrtle Beach Master Trade Certification

Agency:City of Myrtle Beach Construction Services Department (SC)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:

In order to qualify for a City of Myrtle Beach Master Trade Card, an individual must meet one of the following requirements: 

  • Possess a valid contractor's license issued by the state of South Carolina
  • Possess a valid master trade card issued by the S.C. Municipal Association
  • Take a written exam in the appropriate field at Horry/Georgetown Technical College
  • Possess a valid S.C. residential homebuilders speciality card - TESTED or EXAM will be shown on the SC LLR website
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Master Trade Card Process & Application Form

Filing Method:

In-person or e-mail to jhogan@cityofmyrtlebeach.com or acarter@cityofmyrtlebeach.com

Agency Fee:

$30

Required Attachments:
  • Passport size color photo
  • Driver's License

Registration Renewal

Form:

Master Trade Card Process & Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

In-person or e-mail to jhogan@cityofmyrtlebeach.com or acarter@cityofmyrtlebeach.com

Agency Fee:

$30

Due:

Quadrennially by December 31.

Required Attachments:
  • Passport size color photo
  • Driver's License

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Associated General Contractors of America
Professional association providing advocacy and organization for construction firms and workers.

National Association of Home Builders
National association for the promotion of the housing industry.

National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies
National organization that represents and promotes the interests of state level contractor licensing agencies.

Revised November 08, 2023. Complete data last reviewed April 13, 2018.
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