South Carolina Electrical License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

The Mechanical Contractor - Electrical (Groups 1-5) (South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR)) renews every 2 years and has a renewal fee of about $135. The Residential Specialty Contractor - Electrical License (South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (LLR)) renews every 2 years, has a renewal fee of about $220 and requires a bond of $10,000 (verify with the board). Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

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Mechanical Contractor - Electrical (Groups 1-5)

MC-ELEC · State license · South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR)

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Renew on the official site (803) 896-4686

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: All Mechanical Contractor licenses expire October 31 of odd-numbered years (last: Oct 31, 2025 for 2025-2027; next Oct 31, 2027). Renewal opens August; documents and fee must be postmarked by Oct 31.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: No grace period: renewal applications not postmarked by the Oct 31 expiration date result in a lapsed license (S.C. Code 40-11-250(A)). A lapsed license may be renewed within 90 days of expiration with renewal and late fees, retroactive to the expiration date (Nov 1 to Jan 31 fee schedule). Operating on a lapsed license is practicing without a license.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $135
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Biennial renewal about $135 if renewed/postmarked by Oct 31. Nov 1-30: about $100 late fee + about $135 = about $235. Dec 1-31: about $150 late fee + about $135 = about $285. Jan 1-31: about $200 late fee + about $135 = about $335.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Lapsed up to 90 days: renew with late fees, retroactive to expiration. After 90 days the entity must apply and qualify as an initial licensee (S.C. Code 40-11-250(B)). The Board directs lapsed mechanical licensees to submit Doc #165 (initial application, about $350 licensure fee) and Doc #181 (PQP/QP revision) for reinstatement.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Technical exam waiver agreements (list dated Feb 2025) exist with Alabama, Georgia (Georgia does not accept SC waivers as of 4/15/2022), Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania (Reading), Tennessee, Texas and Utah (exams passed before 5/2019), for specific classifications only. MASC or Carolinas AGC (CAGC) Master Electrician, Master Plumber and HARV certifications and the NASCLA exam are also accepted. The SC Business Management and Law exam is still required.

Notes

Electrical is a Mechanical Contractor classification (SC does not issue a separate electrical contractor license at state level for commercial work). Mechanical Contractor group limits (per bid/job; WC / NW): G1 $35,000 ($3,500 / $7,000); G2 $100,000 ($10,000 / $15,000); G3 $200,000 ($20,000 / $30,000); G4 $400,000 ($40,000 / $60,000); G5 unlimited ($200,000 / $300,000). Renewal requires a financial statement dated within 12 months of the renewal application (Groups 1-2 owner-prepared, Doc 172; Groups 3-4 owner-prepared or CPA-compiled; Group 5 CPA-reviewed) or a surety bond/continuation certificate; the financial statement or bond must be filed with the renewal and there is no grace period. A surety bond in lieu of a financial statement equals the group's net worth figure, must name the State of South Carolina as obligee, must be continuous and may be cancelled only on 30 days notice to the Board; bonds payable to the Residential Builders Commission are not accepted. License required for commercial work with total cost of construction over $10,000 (S.C. Code 40-11-30; raised from $5,000 in 2023). Cities/counties may require additional local business licenses/permits. Required for commercial electrical work over $10,000.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (5)

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Residential Specialty Contractor - Electrical License

RBE · State license · South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (LLR)

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Renew on the official site (803) 896-4696

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: Biennial; June 30 of odd-numbered years (2025-2027 cycle; the penalty-free deadline was June 30, 2025; next June 30, 2027).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None. A license lapses on June 30 if not renewed; late renewal with the $50 fee is allowed until June 30 of the following year.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $220
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
About $50 late fee (about $270 total) if renewed after June 30 of the renewal year and within the late renewal window (for the 2025 cycle the late window ended June 30, 2026).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After the late renewal window closes (June 30, 2026 for the 2025 cycle) the license must be reinstated for about $480 (about $220 renewal plus about $260 reinstatement fee). A license inactive more than 3 years requires reapplication and re-testing (S.C. Code 40-59-230(A)).

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Required: $10,000. Verify the amount with the board.
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Technical exam waiver for Residential Electrical with North Carolina and Mississippi; the NASCLA Electrical exam is also accepted. The SC Business Management and Law exam is still required.

Notes

Residential scope only. Commercial electrical work requires CLB Mechanical license (Electrical). Commission phone (803) 896-4696. A residential license may stay inactive up to 3 years before re-application and re-testing is required (S.C. Code 40-59-230(A)).

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (6)

How to renew

1Check your Mechanical Contractor - Electrical (Groups 1-5) deadline: All Mechanical Contractor licenses expire October 31 of odd-numbered years (last: Oct 31, 2025 for 2025-2027; next Oct 31, 2027). Renewal opens August; documents and fee must be postmarked by Oct 31.
2Renew online at https://eservice.llr.sc.gov/SSO/login/loginpage?ReturnUrl=%2fOnlineRenewals%2f
3Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $135, but fees change.
4If you miss the deadline: Biennial renewal about $135 if renewed/postmarked by Oct 31. Nov 1-30: about $100 late fee + about $135 = about $235. Dec 1-31: about $150 late fee + about $135 = about $285. Jan 1-31: about $200 late fee + about $135 = about $335.
5Check your Residential Specialty Contractor - Electrical License deadline: Biennial; June 30 of odd-numbered years (2025-2027 cycle; the penalty-free deadline was June 30, 2025; next June 30, 2027).
6Confirm your bond meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
7Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $220, but fees change.
8If you miss the deadline: About $50 late fee (about $270 total) if renewed after June 30 of the renewal year and within the late renewal window (for the 2025 cycle the late window ended June 30, 2026).

South Carolina Electrical renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a South Carolina electrical license expire?

Mechanical Contractor - Electrical (Groups 1-5): renews every 2 years. All Mechanical Contractor licenses expire October 31 of odd-numbered years (last: Oct 31, 2025 for 2025-2027; next Oct 31, 2027). Renewal opens August; documents and fee must be postmarked by Oct 31. Residential Specialty Contractor - Electrical License: renews every 2 years. Biennial; June 30 of odd-numbered years (2025-2027 cycle; the penalty-free deadline was June 30, 2025; next June 30, 2027). Check with South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR) before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a South Carolina electrical license need?

Mechanical Contractor - Electrical (Groups 1-5): no CE required. Residential Specialty Contractor - Electrical License: no CE required. Check with South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR) before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a South Carolina electrical license?

No grace period: renewal applications not postmarked by the Oct 31 expiration date result in a lapsed license (S.C. Code 40-11-250(A)). A lapsed license may be renewed within 90 days of expiration with renewal and late fees, retroactive to the expiration date (Nov 1 to Jan 31 fee schedule). Operating on a lapsed license is practicing without a license. Check with South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR) before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a South Carolina electrical license?

Mechanical Contractor - Electrical (Groups 1-5): About $135. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a South Carolina electrical license expires?

Biennial renewal about $135 if renewed/postmarked by Oct 31. Nov 1-30: about $100 late fee + about $135 = about $235. Dec 1-31: about $150 late fee + about $135 = about $285. Jan 1-31: about $200 late fee + about $135 = about $335. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does South Carolina accept electrical licenses from other states?

Technical exam waiver agreements (list dated Feb 2025) exist with Alabama, Georgia (Georgia does not accept SC waivers as of 4/15/2022), Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania (Reading), Tennessee, Texas and Utah (exams passed before 5/2019), for specific classifications only. MASC or Carolinas AGC (CAGC) Master Electrician, Master Plumber and HARV certifications and the NASCLA exam are also accepted. The SC Business Management and Law exam is still required. Check with South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR) before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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