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).

🏗️ General ContractorSC ✔ Verified 2026-06-19

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.
Check the insurance rules. 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.
Clear the background check. Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence required. Residential builder applications also require a credit report and reference letters, and a SLED criminal history check only if the applicant has prior arrests or convictions; no fingerprint check is required.
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 (an owner-prepared statement is also accepted at renewal), and for Group 5 a CPA-audited balance sheet at initial licensure or a CPA-reviewed statement at renewal (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. Renewal: Every 2 years. Commercial General Contractor licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years; residential builder licenses are on the 2026-2028 renewal period (deadline June 30, 2026).

For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →

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.

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

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. Commercial General Contractor licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years; residential builder licenses are on the 2026-2028 renewal period (deadline June 30, 2026).
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, and a SLED criminal history check only if the applicant has prior arrests or convictions; no fingerprint check is required.
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 (an owner-prepared statement is also accepted at renewal), and for Group 5 a CPA-audited balance sheet at initial licensure or a CPA-reviewed statement at renewal (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	Residential builders: technical-exam waiver agreements with Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and the SC Contractor's Licensing Board, and the NASCLA National Contractors exam is accepted in place of the SC builders exam. Commercial licenses: confirm any exam waiver with the Contractor's Licensing Board. The SC Business Management and Law exam is still required. · compare all states
Processing time	Variable; typically a few weeks after exams and a complete application.

What a South Carolina general contractor license costs

Application fee	$350 (CLB commercial); residential builder application fee is lower.
License fee	$350 (CLB commercial).
Technical/trade exam for the requested classification (e.g. Building)	Approximately $75-$106 depending on classification.
SC Business Management and Law (residential builders take a residential Business/Law + Residential Builder exam)	Approximately $75.
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.
Renewal fee	$135 biennial (CLB commercial); late penalties $100/$150/$200 at 30/60/90 days.
Renewal period	Every 2 years. Commercial General Contractor licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years; residential builder licenses are on the 2026-2028 renewal period (deadline June 30, 2026).

Exams

Technical/trade exam for the requested classification (e.g. Building)	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% or better (S.C. Code 40-11-230) · 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

Renewing a South Carolina general contractor license

The General Contractor (commercial, Group 1-5 bid limits); Residential Builder (residential homes) renews on a fixed cycle set by the SC Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), under the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Every 2 years. Commercial General Contractor licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years; residential builder licenses are on the 2026-2028 renewal period (deadline June 30, 2026).
Renewal fee	$135 biennial (CLB commercial); late penalties $100/$150/$200 at 30/60/90 days
Continuing education	None required
Where to renew	SC Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), under the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)

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 long does it take to get a South Carolina general contractor license?

Processing time: Variable; typically a few weeks after exams and a complete application.

Is a background check required for general contractors in South Carolina?

Background check: Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence required. Residential builder applications also require a credit report and reference letters, and a SLED criminal history check only if the applicant has prior arrests or convictions; no fingerprint check is required.

Is there a credit or financial requirement for a South Carolina general contractor license?

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 (an owner-prepared statement is also accepted at renewal), and for Group 5 a CPA-audited balance sheet at initial licensure or a CPA-reviewed statement at renewal (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.

How often must a South Carolina general contractor license be renewed?

Every 2 years. Commercial General Contractor licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years; residential builder licenses are on the 2026-2028 renewal period (deadline June 30, 2026). Continuing education: None required.

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.