South Carolina contractor license lookup
South Carolina's Contractor's Licensing Board licenses commercial work over $10,000. The Residential Builders Commission licenses residential builders on jobs over $5,000. (source: SC CLB: General Information (opens in a new tab), source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 11 (opens in a new tab), source: SC Residential Builders Commission (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the CLB website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Use SC LLR Licensee Lookup - Contractors for commercial work, or the Residential Builders Commission lookup for home builders. (source: SC CLB: General Information (opens in a new tab), source: SC Residential Builders Commission (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (SC LLR) sources. See sources.
1. Who needs a license
$10,000 or more for a job (labor and materials) means a license is needed. (source: SC CLB: General Information (opens in a new tab), source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 11 (opens in a new tab))
A General or Mechanical Contractor's license is needed for commercial work in regulated classifications when the cost is over $10,000. (source: SC CLB: General Information (opens in a new tab), source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 11 (opens in a new tab))
- Residential builders (up to 3 floors, 16 units per building) need an RBC license when the job costs over $5,000. (source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 59 (opens in a new tab))
- Residential specialty contractors are covered for jobs over $500. (source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 59 (opens in a new tab))
Penalties
- Unlicensed commercial contracting: misdemeanor, up to 1 year in prison or a fine up to $5,000. (source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 11 (opens in a new tab))
- Unlicensed residential work: misdemeanor, $500 to $10,000 fine, at least 30 days in prison, or both. (source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 59 (opens in a new tab))
2. License types and classes
| Class | Name | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| General | General Contractor (by classification) | Includes Building, Roofing, Swimming Pools, Wood Frame Structures and more (source: SC CLB: Licensure Information (opens in a new tab)) |
| Mechanical | Mechanical Contractor (by classification) | Air Conditioning, Electrical, Heating, Plumbing, Refrigeration and more (source: SC CLB: Licensure Information (opens in a new tab)) |
| RBC | Residential Builder (RBC) | Residential building over $5,000 (source: SC Residential Builders Commission (opens in a new tab), source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 59 (opens in a new tab)) |
3. Required insurance and bonds
Bond
No bond is required. A surety bond can replace the financial statement. General: $20,000 (Group 1) to $350,000 (Group 5). Mechanical: $7,000 to $300,000. (source: SC CLB: Licensure Information (opens in a new tab))
- General contractor group bid and job limits: $100,000 (Group 1), $400,000, $1M, $3M, and unlimited (Group 5). (source: SC CLB: Licensure Information (opens in a new tab))
Ask for proof of insurance and check the bond on the official lookup before work starts.
4. How to look up a contractor
Check a license on the CLB website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Use SC LLR Licensee Lookup - Contractors for commercial work, or the Residential Builders Commission lookup for home builders. (source: SC CLB: General Information (opens in a new tab), source: SC Residential Builders Commission (opens in a new tab))
5. Red flags when hiring
- Bids a commercial job above its group limit. (source: SC CLB: Licensure Information (opens in a new tab))
- Builds or remodels a home for over $5,000 without an RBC license. (source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 59 (opens in a new tab))
6. Consumer protections and complaints
We're still verifying this, check the official board: CLB website (opens in a new tab).
7. Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages. How we verify.
- SC CLB: General Information (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- SC CLB: Licensure Information (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- SC Residential Builders Commission (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- SC Code Title 40 Ch. 11 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- SC Code Title 40 Ch. 59 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- SC LLR Licensee Lookup - Contractors (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- SC RBC Licensee Lookup (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
Spot something out of date? Email [email protected].
Common questions
Who licenses residential builders in South Carolina?
The Residential Builders Commission, part of SC LLR. (source: SC CLB: General Information (opens in a new tab), source: SC Residential Builders Commission (opens in a new tab))
What is the penalty for unlicensed residential work?
A misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $10,000, at least 30 days in prison, or both. (source: SC Code Title 40 Ch. 59 (opens in a new tab))