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South Carolina
Contractors License

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Since 1993 our company has been helping contractors get their South Carolina state contractors license. With a 99% success rate, our exam prep classes are the best in the industry.

Contractors License Overview

  • Virtually every aspect of Construction, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Contracting in South Carolina is regulated at the State Level.
  • Residential classifications are required to pass a Business Law examination in addition to a trade exam and may obtain licensing information from the Residential Builders Commission in Columbia, SC. Pre-Approval for Residential Classifications is required.
  • General and Mechanical classifications are required to pass a Business Law examination in addition to a trade exam and may obtain licensing information from the South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board in Columbia, SC.
  • Many reciprocity agreements are in place between South Carolina and other states for several classifications.
  • For additional licensing requirements including experience, financial and bonding requirements, exam information and reciprocity, please select the License link below.

South Carolina Commercial


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South Carolina Limited Building Contractor

The South Carolina General Contractor Limited license covers construction or remodeling on commercial or residential buildings no more than three stories in height and $350,000.

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South Carolina Business and Law


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South Carolina Business Law (Commercial)

The South Carolina Commercial Business Law license cannot stand-alone; it must be combined with a commercial contractor's license of some type.

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South Carolina Business Law (Electrical or HVAC)

This license cannot stand-alone; it must be combined with a electrical contractor's license of some type.

All Electrical Trade Contractors are required by the state to pass this exam in addition to their trade exam in order to obtain a license.

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South Carolina Business Law (Plumbing)

The South Carolina Commercial Business Law license cannot stand-alone; it must be combined with a commercial contractor's license of some type.

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South Carolina Business Law (Residential)

This license cannot stand-alone; it must be combined with a residential contractor's license of some type.

All Residential Builders and Residential Trade Contractors are required by the state to pass this exam in addition to their trade exam in order to obtain a license.

South Carolina Electrical


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NASCLA National Electrical Contractor/Master Electrician (SC)

The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) has partnered with several industry stakeholders to create one nationally recognized accredited trade examination for electricians. Through administering state agencies, NASCLA offers (3) different open book electrical trade examinations through the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination Program. They are Electrical Contractors (Master/Unlimited Electricians), Journeyman Electricians and Residential Electrical Contractors (Residential Electricians).

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South Carolina Electrician

The South Carolina Electrician license covers the installation, alteration, or repair of wiring-related electrical material and equipment used in the generating, transmitting, or utilization of electrical energy less than six hundred volts, including all overhead electrical wiring on public rights-of-way for signs and street decorations and all underground electrical distribution systems of less than six hundred volts serving private properties.

This license also includes, but is not limited to, installing, altering, and repairing, panels, controls, conductors, conduits, cables, devices, plates, electric ceilings, control wiring; and electric heating, lighting fixtures, lamps, general outside lighting, underground and overhead feeder distribution systems for services, and related components or work necessary to provide a complete electrical system and installing window or through-the-wall air conditioning units not to exceed three HP or three tons where no piping is necessary.

Under this license, general outside lighting is limited solely to within property lines and not on public easements or rights-of-way. A contract that contains electrical work above fifty volts must be performed by a contractor licensed under this license or a licensed public electrical utility contractor.

This license also includes installing, altering, and repairing all lighting on private property, athletic fields, stadiums, parking lots, and the design, installation, and servicing of fire alarm systems.

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South Carolina Public Utilities-Electrical

The holder of this license may perform only work limited to line construction, including distribution systems, and their allied work, for public and private companies; installation, maintenance repair of all high voltage cable splicing and pulling wire for all systems in excess of 2,400 volts; traffic signal and highway lighting installation, maintenance and repair.

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South Carolina Residential Electricians License

The South Carolina Residential Electrical license covers all electric work on residential structures consisting of sixteen units or less and not exceeding 3 stories in height.

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South Carolina NASCLA

NASCLA offers a single exam to become licensed in 15 states. For more information click here.

Oregon - Nevada - Arizona - Utah - Louisiana - Florida - Arkansas - Alabama - Mississippi - Georgia - South Carolina - North Carolina - Virginia - Tennessee


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NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor

The NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor Exam eliminates the trade examination only for the participating state agencies. Once you have passed an exam within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program, contractors will still have to meet additional state licensure requirements within each participating state to obtain their license, as well as passing the state specific Business Law exam.

South Carolina HVAC and Mechanical


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South Carolina Air Conditioning

The South Carolina Air Conditioning license covers the installation, replacement, alteration, and repair of air conditioning equipment and systems which consist of a number of components necessary to produce conditioned air for environmental heating or cooling, or both, within buildings. Hot water or steam heating systems or components are not included under this classification.

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South Carolina Heating

The South Carolina Heating license covers the installation, replacement, alteration, and repair of heating equipment and systems in buildings which require the use of high or low pressure steam vapor or hot water including all piping, ducts, and mechanical equipment within, adjacent to, or connected with a building and the installation of necessary gas lines if any of this equipment is gas-fired.

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South Carolina HVAC-Packaged Equipment

The South Carolina HVAC Packaged Equipment license covers the installation, replacement, alteration, or repair of air conditioning equipment and systems which consist of a number of components necessary to produce conditioned air for environmental heating or cooling, or both.

This includes the installation, alteration and repair of ventilation systems, including duct work, air filtering devices, water treatment devices, pneumatic or electrical controls, or control piping; thermal and acoustical insulation, vibration isolation materials and devices, liquid fuel piping and tanks, water and gas piping from service and heating circuits and air handling systems, including gas-fired furnaces and space heaters; and factory assembled single package units and split type direct expansion equipment, including heat pumps. This license does not cover hot water or steam heating systems or components.

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South Carolina Refrigeration

The South Carolina Refrigeration license covers the installation, replacement, alteration, and repair of refrigeration equipment and systems used for processing, storage, and display of food products and other perishable commodities and commercial, industrial, and manufacturing processes requiring refrigeration, excluding comfort air conditioning.

This license also includes work on systems including related equipment for temperature, safety, and capacity controls, thermal insulation, vibration isolation materials and devices, water treatment devices, construction and installation of walk-in refrigeration boxes, liquid fuel piping and tanks, water and gas piping from equipment to service connection, and testing.

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South Carolina Residential HVAC

This license limits you to work on residential systems only. It covers Air Conditioning, and Heat Pump Equipment, LP & Natural Gas, including piping, Fuel Oil appliances and piping, ductwork & other associated trades.

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South Carolina Plumbing


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South Carolina Plumbing

The South Carolina Plumber license includes the installation, replacement, alteration, and repair of all plumbing including solar water heating when performed solely within property lines and not on public easements or rights-of-way except to make connections to water meters or sewer taps as allowed by the utility owner; and the installation, alteration, and repair of all piping, fixtures, and appliances related to water supply, including pressure vessels and tanks, and excluding municipal or related water supply systems; venting and sanitary drainage systems for all fluid and semi-fluid and organic wastes; roof leaders; water-conditioning equipment; piping and equipment for swimming pools; and installation of a system of pipes, fittings, fixtures, drains, and all necessary component parts upon the premises or in a building to supply water to buildings and to convey sewage or other waste products from buildings.

If this equipment is gas-fired, the necessary gas lines may be installed under this sub-classification used in connection with this sub-classification.

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South Carolina Residential Plumbing License

This license covers all plumbing work on residential structures consisting of sixteen units or less, and not exceeding 3-stories in height.

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South Carolina Low Voltage and Fire


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South Carolina Burglar Alarm

The South Carolina Burglar Alarms license covers the design, installation, service, maintenance, or alteration of burglar alarm systems, and heat and smoke sensors installed within burglar alarm systems. A burglar alarm system detects intrusion, burglary, and breaking and entering but does not include health care signaling devices.

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South Carolina Fire Alarm

The South Carolina Burglar Alarms license covers individuals that design, install, service, maintain, or alter fire alarm systems.

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South Carolina Specialty Trades


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South Carolina Asphalt Paving Contractor

The South Carolina Asphalt Paving license covers asphalt paving, repairs and rehabilitation of streets, roads, highways, parking lots, airport runways and aprons, concrete including, but not limited to, curbs, gutters, and concrete or asphalt paving of storm sewers, and includes paving with sealers, geo-textile fabrics, slurry seals, and surface treatments incidental thereto. This license also includes work under the sub-classification of Grading.//

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South Carolina Boiler Installation

The South Carolina Boiler Installation license covers those who are qualified to install, repair, and service boilers and boiler piping including the boiler auxiliary equipment, controls, and actuated machinery and dryer rolls.

To qualify for this license, a person must pass a technical examination administered by the board or must be the holder of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) "S" stamp or hold the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBPVI) "R" stamp and meet the requirements for licensure according to this chapter.

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South Carolina Bridges

The South Carolina Bridges license covers bridge construction and repairs, railroad trestles and overpasses, and work under the subclassifications of Boring and Tunneling, Concrete, Marine, and Railroad Lines.

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South Carolina Concrete

The South Carolina Concrete license covers all work in connection with concrete forming and placing; assembling of forms, molds, slipforms and pans; centering, trenching, excavating, backfill, and grading in connection with concrete construction; construction of sidewalks, driveways, curbs, medians, and barrier walls; and installing of embedded items essential to or comprising an integral part of concrete or concrete construction including reinforcing elements and accessories including, but not limited to, concrete chimneys, floors, piers, and foundations when using concrete rebar and other materials common to the concrete industry. This license does not include the General Contractor-Highway- Bridge license or the construction of streets, roads, parking lots, and highways.

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South Carolina Concrete Paving

The South Carolina Concrete Paving license covers the construction, rehabilitation and repair of concrete streets, roads, highways, driveways, parking lots, airport runways and aprons, and concrete work incidental thereto including, but not limited to, sidewalks, curbs, medians, and barrier walls. This license also includes work under the subclassification of Grading.

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South Carolina General Roofing

The South General Roofing license covers the installation and repair of roofs and roof decking on commercial, industrial, and institutional structures requiring materials that form a water-tight and weather-resistant surface. This license is limited to shingles, clay and concrete tile, slate, wood-shake roofing, metal roofing, and asphalt-rolled roofing.

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South Carolina Glass and Glazing

The South Carolina Glass and Glazing license covers commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, modular, and all other types of glass and glazing construction. The construction is limited to selection, cutting, assembling, and installing all makes and kinds of glass for windows, sash and doors, metal frames, ornamental decorations, mirrors, and tub and shower enclosures.

This license classification includes all work under the subclassifications of renovation, structural shapes, and architectural aluminum glazing systems which include aluminum entrance doors and frame systems, entrance and egress hardware, curtain wall systems, sliding doors/mall fronts, overhead glazing systems, and architectural window systems and accessories.

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South Carolina Grading

The South Carolina Grading license covers the soil preparation and rehabilitation of streets, roads, highways, railroad beds, building sites, parking lots, and storm sewers.

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South Carolina Lightning Protection

The South Carolina Lightning Protection license covers the installation, replacement, alteration, or repair of necessary lightning protection conduction, cables, rods, points, anchors, fastening devices, labels, ground clamps, braces, and all related component parts necessary for a complete lightning protection system.

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South Carolina Marine

The South Carolina Marine license covers all water activities to construct seawalls, bulkheads, docks, piers, wharves, and other water structures including, but not limited to, pile driving, boat slips, and boardwalks. Licensees under this classification may perform ancillary work including fill and grading. This license does not include building structures, such as houses.

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South Carolina Pipelines Contractor

The South Carolina Pipelines license covers the construction, installation, alteration, maintenance, and repair of systems for the transmission or distribution of petroleum fuels, petroleum distillates, natural gas, chemicals, and slurries through pipeline from one station to another including all excavating, trenching, backfilling and installation of booster stations and equipment and installation and replacement of tanks connected to the system. This license does not include the piping and tanks for the dispensing of any petroleum product at retail.

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South Carolina Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings

The South Carolina Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings license covers the construction of pre-engineered metal buildings not exceeding forty feet in width with no single structural span exceeding forty feet in length, and consisting of no more than a concrete floor slab, metal frame, metal roof, metal sidewalls, and building insulation.

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South Carolina Pressure & Process Piping

This license covers the installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of a system of piping, tubing, vessels, containers, pumps, apparatus, and appurtenances in connection with pressure piping used for circulation, transporting, holding, or processing of gas, vapor, fluid, liquid, semi-liquid, or any combination of these.

Boilers, boiler piping, piping used to convey potable water, sanitary sewage, liquefied petroleum, manufactured or natural gas or refrigeration, air conditioning and comfort heating piping are not included in this license.

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South Carolina Specialty Roofing

The South Carolina Specialty Roofing license covers the installation and repair of roofs and roof decking on commercial, industrial, and institutional structures requiring materials that form a water-tight and weather-resistant surface. This license includes all work under the General Roofing license and other types of roofing not specifically included in the general roofing license.

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South Carolina Structural Framing

The South Carolina Structural Framing license covers the installation, repair, or alteration of metal or composite structural members for buildings or structures, including riveting, welding, and rigging. This license also includes work under the Structural Shapes License.

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South Carolina Swimming Pools

The South Carolina Swimming Pools license covers the construction, service, and repair of all commercial and institutional swimming pools and spas, including concrete, gunite, plastic, vinyl-lined, and fiberglass pools and spas; pool decks, walkways, tiling, and coping; and the installation of all equipment, including pumps, filters, and chemical feeders, water and gas service lines from the point of service to the pool equipment, wiring from the pool equipment to the first readily accessible disconnect, pool piping, fittings, backflow prevention devices, waste lines, and other integral parts of a swimming pool or spa.

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South Carolina Water and Sewer Lines

The South Carolina Water and Sewer Lines license covers the construction work on water mains, water service lines, water storage tanks, sewer mains, sewer lines, lift stations, pumping stations and appurtenances to water storage tanks, lift stations, pumping stations, pavement patching, backfill, and erosion control as a part of construction, and which includes connection at the building of all lines to the appropriate lines contained in commercial structures, installation and repair of a project involving manholes, the laying of pipe for storm drains and sewer mains, all necessary connections, and excavation and backfilling, and concrete work incidental thereto.

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South Carolina Water and Sewer Plants

The South Carolina Water and Sewer Plants license covers all classifications and subclassifications necessary for the construction of water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities.

However, if a project includes work to be performed under any of these license subclassifications, the licensee must either have a license to perform this work or use a contractor licensed in the appropriate license classification or subclassification to perform the work: Bridges, Railroad Lines, Specialty Roofing, and Mechanical work.

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South Carolina Wood Frame Structures

The South Carolina Wood Frame Structures license covers framing, roofing, siding, or flooring for wood-framed structures in excess of five thousand feet used for housing livestock, storage, or processing, when such structures are not used for habitation or office facilities.

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