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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Carolina have reciprocity with North Carolina?
Who licenses residential electricians in South Carolina?
Nearby states
New to renewals? Read our guide to contractor license renewal, or check a nearby state below.