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 |
| Commercial mechanical contractor license | $350 |
| Half-period residential license | $80 |
| Each PSI exam section | $75 |
| Est. Initial Total | $840 |
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
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+)
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.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: SC CLB / SC RBC