South Carolina General Contractor License Requirements
Official classification: General Contractor (commercial, Group 1-5 bid limits); Residential Builder (residential homes) · Issued by the SC Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), under the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR).
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In South Carolina, general contractors must hold the General Contractor (commercial, Group 1-5 bid limits); Residential Builder (residential homes), issued by the SC Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), under the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), and a surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.
How to become a licensed general contractor in South Carolina
Follow these steps to earn your General Contractor (commercial, Group 1-5 bid limits); Residential Builder (residential homes). Every figure is verified against the SC Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), under the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR); full detail for each step is further down the page.
- Build the required experience. Commercial (CLB): about 2 years of relevant experience within the past 5 years for the qualifying party. Residential builder: about 1 year within the past 5 years.
- Pass the Technical/trade exam for the requested classification (e.g. Building) and SC Business Management and Law (residential builders take a residential Business/Law + Residential Builder exam) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
- Secure your surety bond. South Carolina requires Commercial: no fixed state bond; a surety bond may substitute for the financial statement to qualify for a higher Group. Residential builder: a $15,000 minimum surety bond is required by statute.
- Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Not mandated by the board for issuance), and workers' compensation coverage.
- Clear the background check. Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence required. Residential builder applications also require a credit report and reference letters; no fingerprint background check mandated.
- Meet the credit / financial requirement. Commercial GC: a financial statement is the core of the Group system — self-prepared and notarized for Groups 1-2, CPA-compiled for Groups 3-4, and CPA-reviewed for Group 5 (Group 1 = $20,000 net worth / $10,000 working capital, up to Group 5 = $350,000 net worth / $250,000 working capital); a surety bond may substitute. Residential builder: credit report reviewed.
- Submit your application and fees. Apply through the SC Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), under the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) — $350 (CLB commercial); residential builder application fee is lower application fee, plus a $350 (CLB commercial) license fee. Processing time: Variable; typically a few weeks after exams and a complete application.
- Keep the license active. Renew every 2 years (biennial).
South Carolina general contractor license lookup
To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in South Carolina — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
License types
- General Contractor (CLB) — Commercial general construction of $10,000 or more. Bid limit by financial Group: Group 1 = $100,000 max per job, Group 2 = $400,000, Group 3 = $1,000,000, Group 4 = $3,000,000, Group 5 = unlimited.
- Residential Builder (RBC) — Building/superintending residential structures up to 3 floors / 16 units when the job exceeds $5,000.
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | Commercial (CLB): about 2 years of relevant experience within the past 5 years for the qualifying party. Residential builder: about 1 year within the past 5 years. |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $350 (CLB commercial); residential builder application fee is lower |
| License fee | $350 (CLB commercial) |
| Renewal fee | $135 biennial (CLB commercial); late penalties $100/$150/$200 at 30/60/90 days |
| Renewal period | Every 2 years (biennial) |
| Continuing education | None required |
| Bond required | Commercial: no fixed state bond; a surety bond may substitute for the financial statement to qualify for a higher Group. Residential builder: a $15,000 minimum surety bond is required by statute. |
| Liability insurance | Not mandated by the board for issuance |
| Property damage | — |
| Workers' comp | Required under SC law if you have employees (generally 4 or more); not collected by the board at licensing |
| Background check | Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence required. Residential builder applications also require a credit report and reference letters; no fingerprint background check mandated. |
| Credit requirement | Commercial GC: a financial statement is the core of the Group system — self-prepared and notarized for Groups 1-2, CPA-compiled for Groups 3-4, and CPA-reviewed for Group 5 (Group 1 = $20,000 net worth / $10,000 working capital, up to Group 5 = $350,000 net worth / $250,000 working capital); a surety bond may substitute. Residential builder: credit report reviewed. |
| Reciprocity | Technical-exam waivers are available with some states (the SC Business/Law exam is still required). Residential builder exam-waiver reciprocity is reported with several states; confirm the current agreement with the board. |
| Processing time | Variable; typically a few weeks after exams and a complete application. |
Exams
| Technical/trade exam for the requested classification (e.g. Building) | Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% (commonly cited; confirm with the board) · Fee: Approximately $75-$106 depending on classification |
|---|---|
| SC Business Management and Law (residential builders take a residential Business/Law + Residential Builder exam) | Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% (commonly cited; confirm with the board) · Fee: Approximately $75 |
Local / municipal notes
The commercial $10,000 licensure threshold was raised from $5,000 by 2023 SC Act No. 69. Choose the narrowest commercial classification matching your work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a South Carolina general contractor license cost?
Application: $350 (CLB commercial); residential builder application fee is lower. License: $350 (CLB commercial). Renewal: $135 biennial (CLB commercial); late penalties $100/$150/$200 at 30/60/90 days.
How do I look up a general contractor license in South Carolina?
Search the official license database at verify.llronline.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do general contractors in South Carolina need a surety bond?
Commercial: no fixed state bond; a surety bond may substitute for the financial statement to qualify for a higher Group. Residential builder: a $15,000 minimum surety bond is required by statute.
What experience is required for a South Carolina general contractor license?
Commercial (CLB): about 2 years of relevant experience within the past 5 years for the qualifying party. Residential builder: about 1 year within the past 5 years.
Is insurance required for general contractors in South Carolina?
Liability: Not mandated by the board for issuance Workers' compensation: Required under SC law if you have employees (generally 4 or more); not collected by the board at licensing
How often must a South Carolina general contractor license be renewed?
Every 2 years (biennial).
Official sources
scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c011.php
scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c059.php
llr.sc.gov/clb/fees.aspx
llr.sc.gov/res/licensure.aspx