South Carolina HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical License Requirements
Last updated 2026. Requirements may change — always verify with your state licensing board.
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- Verify with board
- Initial cost
- ~$335
- License types
- Mechanical Contractor (Groups 1-5) + Residential Specialty
- Experience
- 2 years
- Exam
- Trade + Business & Law exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- Technical Exam Waiver Agreement with North Carolina (SC business law exam still required)
- Board
- South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation — Contractors' Licensing Board
- Website
- llr.sc.gov
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- Verify with board
- Initial cost
- ~$335
- License types
- Plumbing Contractor (Groups by project size)
- Experience
- 2 years
- Exam
- Trade + Business & Law exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- NC reciprocity
- Board
- South Carolina LLR — Contractors' Licensing Board
- Website
- llr.sc.gov
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- Verify with board
- Initial cost
- ~$335
- License types
- Electrical Contractor (commercial via LLR; Residential Builders Commission for residential)
- Experience
- 2 years
- Exam
- NEC-based exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- No formal reciprocity — verify with board
- Board
- SC LLR (commercial) + Residential Builders Commission (residential)
- Website
- llr.sc.gov
South Carolina licenses HVAC and plumbing through the Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation Contractors' Licensing Board using a Group 1-5 classification by project size. Electrical contractors split between LLR (commercial) and the Residential Builders Commission (residential).
The North Carolina / South Carolina Technical Exam Waiver Agreement works in both directions. SC-licensed HVAC and plumbing contractors can apply by reciprocity in NC and vice versa — only the receiving state's Business & Law exam is required.
TradesIQ tracks South Carolina license renewals, CE hours, bonds, and insurance certificates in one dashboard — with automated reminders before anything lapses.
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Renewal cycles, CE hours, fees, and licensing board links.
South Carolina
Full South Carolina guide →- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- Verify with board
- Cost
- ~$335
- Board
- South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation — Contractors' Licensing Board
- Website
- llr.sc.gov
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- Verify with board
- Cost
- ~$335
- Board
- South Carolina LLR — Contractors' Licensing Board
- Website
- llr.sc.gov
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- Verify with board
- Cost
- ~$335
- Board
- SC LLR (commercial) + Residential Builders Commission (residential)
- Website
- llr.sc.gov
Requirements may change. Always verify with your state licensing board.