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).

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In South Carolina, roofers must hold the 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), and a surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed roofer in South Carolina

Follow these steps to earn your General Contractor - Roofing (RF) classification [commercial]; Residential Specialty Contractor - Roofing [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.

1. Build the required experience. 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.
2. Pass the Roofing technical/trade exam (commercial) and SC Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors (commercial only) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
3. Secure your surety bond. South Carolina requires Commercial RF: no fixed state bond; a surety bond may substitute for the 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).
4. 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.
5. Clear the background check. Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence required. Residential Builders Commission applicants submit a SLED criminal history check only if they have prior arrests or convictions; no fingerprint check is required.
6. Meet the credit / financial requirement. Commercial RF: a financial statement sets the Group bid limit — 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 up to Group 5 = $350,000 net worth) — or a surety bond substitutes. Residential registered tier: bond, no net-worth test.
7. 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). The residential registered-roofer fee is lower (registration tier, no exam). application fee, plus a $350 (CLB commercial) license fee. Processing time: Variable; typically a few weeks after exams and a complete application.
8. Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years. Commercial roofing is a General Contractor classification, and General Contractor licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years; residential registrations follow the Residential Builders Commission's 2026-2028 renewal period.

South Carolina roofer license lookup

To confirm a roofer 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 - 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

What a South Carolina roofer license costs

Exams

Renewing a South Carolina roofer license

The General Contractor - Roofing (RF) classification [commercial]; Residential Specialty Contractor - Roofing [residential] 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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

llr.sc.gov/clb/clb_licensure.aspx
llr.sc.gov/res/licensure.aspx
scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c011.php
scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c059.php
llr.sc.gov/clb/fees.aspx
llr.sc.gov/clb

Other South Carolina contractor licenses

Roofer licensing in other states