South Carolina General Contractor License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

The General Contractor (Groups 1-5; Building, Highway, Public Utility, Specialty) (South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR)) renews every 2 years and has a renewal fee of about $135. The Residential Builder License (South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (LLR)) renews every 2 years, has a renewal fee of about $220 and requires a bond of $15,000 (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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General Contractor (Groups 1-5; Building, Highway, Public Utility, Specialty)

GC · 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 General Contractor licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years (next: Oct 31, 2026; then 2028). 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

2026-2028 renewals open in August 2026 with an Oct 31, 2026 deadline. General Contractor group limits (per bid/job; working capital or net worth, either one): G1 $100,000 (WC $10,000 / NW $20,000); G2 $400,000 ($40,000 / $60,000); G3 $1,000,000 ($100,000 / $150,000); G4 $3,000,000 ($175,000 / $250,000); G5 unlimited ($250,000 / $350,000). 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. Classifications include Limited Building, Unlimited Building, Highway, and numerous Specialty subclassifications (see licensure page). The renewal fee is the same for all groups.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (5)

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Residential Builder License

RBB · 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; renewal due June 30 (2026-2028 cycle renewal deadline was June 30, 2026; next June 30, 2028). Renewal period opens ~May.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: No penalty-free grace after June 30; late renewal accepted with $50 fee for 12 months after deadline.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $220
Late fee: About $50 late fee (about $270 total) if renewed July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After June 30, 2027: reinstate for about $480 (about $220 renewal plus about $260 reinstatement fee). A license inactive more than 3 years requires a new application and re-examination (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: $15,000. Verify the amount with the board.
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Technical exam waiver agreements for residential builders with Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and the SC Contractor's Licensing Board; the NASCLA exam is also accepted. The SC Business Management and Law exam is still required. A license issued by exam waiver is limited to non-mechanical work.

Notes

Residential building structures not over 3 floors and not more than 16 units per apartment building, when the undertaking costs more than $5,000 (S.C. Code 40-59-20(6)). Commercial work over $10,000 requires a Contractor's Licensing Board license. Firms where a licensee owns less than 51% need a Certificate of Authorization ($100 renewal, due June 30; if missed the firm must reapply). The statutory minimum bond is $15,000 and the Commission bond form sets $15,000 for builders and certificates of authorization. A renewal bond or continuation certificate must be on file before online renewal. Commission phone (803) 896-4696.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (6)

How to renew

1Check your General Contractor (Groups 1-5; Building, Highway, Public Utility, Specialty) deadline: All General Contractor licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years (next: Oct 31, 2026; then 2028). 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 Builder License deadline: Biennial; renewal due June 30 (2026-2028 cycle renewal deadline was June 30, 2026; next June 30, 2028). Renewal period opens ~May.
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 July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

South Carolina General contractor renewal questions

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

When does a South Carolina general contractor license expire?

General Contractor (Groups 1-5; Building, Highway, Public Utility, Specialty): renews every 2 years. All General Contractor licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years (next: Oct 31, 2026; then 2028). Renewal opens August; documents and fee must be postmarked by Oct 31. Residential Builder License: renews every 2 years. Biennial; renewal due June 30 (2026-2028 cycle renewal deadline was June 30, 2026; next June 30, 2028). Renewal period opens ~May. Check with South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (LLR) before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a South Carolina general contractor license need?

General Contractor (Groups 1-5; Building, Highway, Public Utility, Specialty): no CE required. Residential Builder 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 general contractor 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 general contractor license?

General Contractor (Groups 1-5; Building, Highway, Public Utility, Specialty): About $135. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a South Carolina general contractor 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 general contractor 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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