Plumber License Requirements in South Carolina
| Licensing Authority | SC Contractors' Licensing Board (commercial) / SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), both under LLR (SC CLB / SC RBC) |
| License Type | Commercial Plumbing Contractor (Mechanical License, Groups 1-5) + Residential Specialty Plumbing Contractor + Journeyman/Master Plumber Certification |
| Experience Required | Commercial: 2 years of work experience within the last 5 years in plumbing. Residential: 1 year of work experience within the last 5 years. Journeyman certification: 2 years / 4,000 hours under a licensed master plumber. Master certification: additional 2 years as a certified journeyman (4 years total). |
| Education Substitute | A 2-year associate degree from a technical school reduces journeyman experience to 1 year / 2,000 hours. |
| Exam Required | Yes — SC Commercial Plumbing Trade Exam + SC Business Management & Law (Commercial) + SC Residential Plumbing Trade Exam + SC Residential Business & Law Exam |
| Bond Required | Yes — $10,000 |
| Insurance | General liability: recommended. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| Processing Time | 7-10 business days (residential); 3-4 weeks (commercial) |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Exam Fee | $75 |
| Initial License Fee | $160 |
| Est. Initial Total | $335 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Commercial mechanical contractor license | $350 |
| Half-period residential license | $80 |
| Each PSI exam section | $75 |
Renewal: $160 every 2 years (commercial: expires Oct 31 odd years; residential: expires June 30 odd years)
Exam Requirements
SC Commercial Plumbing Trade Exam
SC Business Management & Law (Commercial)
SC Residential Plumbing Trade Exam
SC Residential Business & Law Exam
Exam provider: PSI
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam Secrets Study GuideCovers plumbing code, systems, and installation for the journeyman and master plumber exams — organized topic reviews plus practice questions for a first-try pass.See the study guide →
Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency plumber-exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling code references and terms on the go.See the flashcards →Set up the business before you apply in South Carolina
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in South Carolina. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→License Tiers
Mechanical Group 1 (Commercial)
Projects up to $35,000. Net worth $3,500 or $7,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
Mechanical Group 2 (Commercial)
Projects up to $100,000. Net worth $10,000 or $15,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
Mechanical Group 3 (Commercial)
Projects up to $200,000. Net worth $20,000 or $30,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
Mechanical Group 4 (Commercial)
Projects up to $400,000. Net worth $40,000 or $60,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
Mechanical Group 5 (Commercial)
Unlimited. Net worth $200,000 or $300,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
Residential Specialty Plumbing Contractor
Residential plumbing work over $200. Requires $10,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 9 states. View full reciprocity details — You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
Notes
- Commercial plumbing work over $10,000 requires CLB mechanical contractor license
- Residential plumbing work over $200 requires RBC specialty license
- As of January 1, 2026, CAGC replaced MASC as certification provider for master plumber certifications
- No continuing education required for license renewal
- Trade exam may only be taken 3 times in a 12-month period
- All commercial exams are open-book
- Master Plumber certification accepted from MASC (Dec 1990 - Dec 2025) or CAGC (Jan 2026+)
You're licensed in South Carolina as a plumber — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The SC Contractors' Licensing Board (commercial) / SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), both under LLR issues the Commercial Plumbing Contractor (Mechanical License, Groups 1-5) + Residential Specialty Plumbing Contractor + Journeyman/Master Plumber Certification; the business that invoices South Carolina customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Post the bond.
South Carolina requires a $10,000 surety bond. Residential specialty: $10,000 surety bond required when work exceeds $5,000. Commercial mechanical: bond amounts vary by group ($7,000 to $300,000) and serve as alternative to net worth requirements. How contractor bonds work→
Carry general liability insurance.
South Carolina does not set a general liability minimum for this trade, but most permits and commercial customers ask for proof of GL cover. Workers' compensation required for businesses with 4+ employees. GL not state-mandated but strongly recommended. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck plumber businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 2 years (commercial: expires Oct 31 odd years; residential: expires June 30 odd years) at $160.
Other licenses in South Carolina
- General Contractor license in South Carolina
Statewide license required · $425 in initial government fees · SC CLB
- Electrician license in South Carolina
Statewide license required · $335 in initial government fees · SC CLB / SC RBC
- HVAC Technician license in South Carolina
Statewide license required · $335 in initial government fees · SC CLB / SC RBC
- Roofing Contractor license in South Carolina
Statewide license required · $425 in initial government fees · SC CLB / SC RBC
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a plumber license in South Carolina?
Yes, South Carolina requires a statewide plumber license through the SC Contractors' Licensing Board (commercial) / SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), both under LLR.
How much does a plumber license cost in South Carolina?
The estimated initial cost is $335, including application, exam, and license fees. A $10,000 surety bond is also required.
What experience do I need for a plumber license in South Carolina?
Commercial: 2 years of work experience within the last 5 years in plumbing. Residential: 1 year of work experience within the last 5 years. Journeyman certification: 2 years / 4,000 hours under a licensed master plumber. Master certification: additional 2 years as a certified journeyman (4 years total). Education substitute: A 2-year associate degree from a technical school reduces journeyman experience to 1 year / 2,000 hours.
What exams are required for a plumber license in South Carolina?
You must pass the SC Commercial Plumbing Trade Exam and SC Business Management & Law (Commercial) and SC Residential Plumbing Trade Exam and SC Residential Business & Law Exam exams. A passing score of 70% (commercial: 56/80), 67.7% (residential: 44/65) is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Do I need a bond for a plumber license in South Carolina?
Yes, a $10,000 surety bond is required. Residential specialty: $10,000 surety bond required when work exceeds $5,000. Commercial mechanical: bond amounts vary by group ($7,000 to $300,000) and serve as alternative to net worth requirements.
Does South Carolina have plumber license reciprocity?
Yes, South Carolina has reciprocity agreements with 9 states that may apply to plumbers. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.
How long does it take to get a plumber license in South Carolina?
Processing time is typically 7-10 business days (residential); 3-4 weeks (commercial) after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for plumbers in South Carolina?
No, South Carolina does not currently require continuing education for plumber license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for plumbers in South Carolina— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: SC CLB / SC RBC