South Carolina Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (PB) [commercial]; Residential Specialty Contractor - Plumbing [residential] · 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).

🔧 PlumberSC ✔ Verified 2026-06-19

In South Carolina, plumbers must hold the Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (PB) [commercial]; Residential Specialty Contractor - Plumbing [residential], 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 no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in South Carolina

Follow these steps to earn your Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (PB) [commercial]; Residential Specialty Contractor - Plumbing [residential]. 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): at least 2 years of full-time experience within the past 5 years for the qualifying party. Residential: at least 1 year working for a plumbing contractor within the past 5 years.
Pass the Commercial Contractor Plumbing exam (80 questions, 4 hours) and SC Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors (50 questions) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. South Carolina requires No fixed state bond for the commercial license; a surety bond may substitute for the financial statement to set the Group bid limit. A residential licensed plumbing specialty requires a $10,000 surety bond when a job exceeds $5,000.
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; no fingerprint/criminal background check mandated for issuance.
Meet the credit / financial requirement. Commercial: a financial statement sets the bid Group — self-prepared and notarized for Groups 1-2, CPA-compiled for Groups 3-4, and CPA-reviewed for Group 5 — or a surety bond may substitute. Residential: no net-worth tier; a bond substitutes.
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 specialty 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 plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber 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.

Verify a license now: Search the official verify.llronline.com database →

License types

Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (PB) — Commercial plumbing work on projects of $10,000 or more; bid limit set by financial Group (Mechanical Contractor limits per job: Group 1 $35,000 / Group 2 $100,000 / Group 3 $200,000 / Group 4 $400,000 / Group 5 unlimited — lower than the General Contractor groups).
Residential Specialty Contractor - Plumbing — Residential plumbing work, licensed under the Residential Builders Commission.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Commercial (CLB): at least 2 years of full-time experience within the past 5 years for the qualifying party. Residential: at least 1 year working for a plumbing contractor within the past 5 years.
Application fee	$350 (CLB commercial); residential specialty 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	No fixed state bond for the commercial license; a surety bond may substitute for the financial statement to set the Group bid limit. A residential licensed plumbing specialty requires a $10,000 surety bond when a job exceeds $5,000.
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; no fingerprint/criminal background check mandated for issuance.
Credit requirement	Commercial: a financial statement sets the bid Group — self-prepared and notarized for Groups 1-2, CPA-compiled for Groups 3-4, and CPA-reviewed for Group 5 — or a surety bond may substitute. Residential: no net-worth tier; a bond substitutes.
Reciprocity	Technical-exam waivers are available with some states (the SC Business/Law exam is still required of all applicants); confirm the current agreement with the board.
Processing time	Variable; typically a few weeks after exams and a complete application.

Exams

Commercial Contractor Plumbing exam (80 questions, 4 hours)	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% (commonly cited; confirm with the board) · Fee: Approximately $75
SC Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors (50 questions)	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% (commonly cited; confirm with the board) · Fee: Approximately $75

Preparing for the Plumber exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

SC licenses plumbing as a Mechanical Contractor subclassification (commercial) or a Residential Specialty (residential); there is no separate statewide journeyman/master plumber license. Local jurisdictions may require additional registration.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a South Carolina plumber license cost?

Application: $350 (CLB commercial); residential specialty 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 plumber 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 plumbers in South Carolina need a surety bond?

No fixed state bond for the commercial license; a surety bond may substitute for the financial statement to set the Group bid limit. A residential licensed plumbing specialty requires a $10,000 surety bond when a job exceeds $5,000.

What experience is required for a South Carolina plumber license?

Commercial (CLB): at least 2 years of full-time experience within the past 5 years for the qualifying party. Residential: at least 1 year working for a plumbing contractor within the past 5 years.

Is insurance required for plumbers 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 plumber license be renewed?

Every 2 years (biennial).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-19 — always confirm current requirements directly with the SC Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), under the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) before applying. This is not legal advice.