South Carolina contractor license renewal rules

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.

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)).

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.

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.

HVAC classifications under Mechanical: Air Conditioning, Heating, Packaged Equipment, Refrigeration (also Process Piping, Lightning Protection). 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 mechanical work over $10,000.

Residential scope only; limited to 5 tons cooling and 175,000 BTU/hr heating per unit (Reg. 106-1(c)). Larger/commercial work requires CLB Mechanical license. 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)).

Renewal fee: the DCA pays $50 and each additional licensed applicator pays $10 per licensed category up to $50 when all licenses are renewed together by Dec 31 (DPR FAQ); the statute (S.C. Code 46-13-60(3)(b)) sets $50 per office license and $5 for each additional certified applicator. DPR phone (864) 646-2150.

Initial business license $150 plus $50 for the Designated Certified Applicator (DCA), $200 total. The annual business license renewal fee is set by DPR and is not published in the public rules or website; renewal is paid through the DPR payment portal. Each location needs a full-time DCA licensed in Category 7A (one person cannot be DCA for more than one location). DCA must hold a four-year natural science degree or two years of verifiable pest control experience. Verifiable Technician training: initial $50. DPR phone (864) 646-2150.

Plumbing is a Mechanical Contractor classification (also Pressure and Process Piping). 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 plumbing work over $10,000.

Residential scope only (water/natural gas piping, sewage, filtration systems). Commercial plumbing requires CLB Mechanical license. 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)).

Roofing is a General Contractor-Specialty subclassification requiring a technical exam (also included in GC Building classification). Roofing license covers installation and repair of roofs and roof decking on commercial, industrial, residential and institutional structures. 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. Required for commercial roofing over $10,000. Residential-only roofers may instead register with the Residential Builders Commission (see next entry).

Registration (not an exam-based license) by experience: at least one year of work experience per classification plus three reference letters. Residential roofing only (Reg. 106-1(f)); covers undertakings over $500 for a residential builder, general contractor or owner. A bond of $5,000 is required for work over $5,000. Maximum 3 specialty classifications per registration. Fees per the Commission fee table: $100 renewal, $20 late fee, $290 reinstatement. Sources differ on some amounts: the renewals page repeats the license amounts ($50 late, $480 reinstatement) in its registration paragraph, and Regulation 10-38 lists a $90 reinstatement fee. The Commission's current fee table ($100, $20, $290) is used here; confirm with the Commission before paying a late or reinstatement fee. Solar roof mounting may only be done by a registered roofer, a residential builder or a GC with roofing.