South Carolina Roofer License Requirements

Official classification: General Contractor - Roofing (RF) classification [commercial]; Residential Specialty Contractor - Roofing [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).

🏠 RooferSC ✔ Verified 2026-06-18

License types

General Contractor - Roofing (RF) — Commercial and residential roofing: installation/repair of roofs, decking, shingles, metal coverings, single-ply and built-up roofing, flashings, gutters and downspouts, bituminous waterproofing. CLB license required on commercial work of $10,000+; bid limit by Group 1-5. (Replaced the former GR/SR classes in July 2023.)
Residential Specialty Contractor - Roofing (registered) — Residential roofing registered-specialty tier. A CLB-licensed RF contractor may perform both commercial and residential roofing.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Commercial (CLB RF): about 2 years of relevant experience within the past 5 years for the qualifying party. Residential registered roofer: experience affidavit; no trade exam.
Application fee	$350 (CLB commercial). The residential registered-roofer fee is lower (registration tier, no exam).
License fee	$350 (CLB commercial)
Renewal fee	$350 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 RF: no fixed state bond; a surety bond may substitute for the CPA financial statement to set the Group bid limit. Residential roofing: the registered-specialty tier carries a bond (confirm the current amount with the Residential Builders Commission).
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 background check mandated for issuance.
Credit requirement	Commercial RF: a CPA-reviewed financial statement sets the Group bid limit (Group 1 = $20,000 net worth up to Group 5 = $350,000 net worth), or a surety bond substitutes. Residential registered tier: bond, no net-worth test.
Reciprocity	Technical-exam waivers are available with some states (the SC Business/Law exam is still required); confirm the current agreement with the board.
Processing time	Variable; typically a few weeks after exams and a complete application.

Exams

Roofing technical/trade exam (commercial)	Provider: PSI Passing: 70% (commonly cited; confirm with the board) Fee: Approximately $75 (commercial trade exam)
SC Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors (commercial only)	Provider: PSI Passing: 70% (commonly cited; confirm with the board) Fee: Approximately $75

Local / municipal notes

Roofing is split: commercial roofing is a General Contractor 'Roofing (RF)' classification at the CLB, while residential-only roofers register with the Residential Builders Commission as a Residential Specialty Contractor. A CLB RF license covers both commercial and residential roofing.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-18 — 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.