Roofing Contractor 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 | General Contractor License (Roofing Subclassification, Groups 1-5) or Registered Residential Specialty Contractor (Roofing) |
| Experience Required | Commercial: 2 years of full-time work experience within the last 5 years in roofing, documented via work experience affidavit. Only commercial experience is accepted. Residential registration: 1 year of roofing work experience documented via notarized affidavit. |
| Exam Required | Yes — SC Specialty Roofing Trade Exam + SC Business Management & Law (Commercial) |
| Bond Required | Yes — $5,000 |
| Insurance | General liability: recommended. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| Processing Time | 7-10 business days (residential registration); 3-4 weeks (commercial license) |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $350 |
| Exam Fee | $75 |
| Residential specialty registration | $100 |
| Residential registration renewal | $100 |
| Half-period commercial license | $175 |
| Each PSI exam section | $75 |
| Est. Initial Total | $875 |
Renewal: $350 every 2 years (commercial: expires Oct 31 even years; residential registration: expires June 30 odd years)
Exam Requirements
SC Specialty Roofing Trade Exam
SC Business Management & Law (Commercial)
Exam provider: PSI
License Tiers
General Group 1
Projects up to $100,000. Net worth $20,000 or working capital $10,000 or $20,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
General Group 2
Projects up to $400,000. Net worth $60,000 or working capital $40,000 or $60,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
General Group 3
Projects up to $1,000,000. Net worth $150,000 or working capital $100,000 or $150,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
General Group 4
Projects up to $3,000,000. Net worth $250,000 or working capital $175,000 or $250,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
General Group 5 (Unlimited)
No project limit. Net worth $350,000 or working capital $250,000 or $350,000 surety bond.
Exam: Required
Registered Residential Specialty Contractor (Roofing)
Residential roofing. Requires 1 year of experience and $5,000 surety bond. No exam required.
Exam: Not required
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 9 states. You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
Notes
- Commercial roofing over $10,000 requires CLB general contractor license with roofing subclassification
- Residential roofing registration does NOT require an exam — only 1 year experience and a $5,000 bond
- Residential specialty registration fee is only $100 (much lower than commercial $350)
- No continuing education required for roofing license/registration renewal
- All commercial exams are open-book
- SLED background check required for commercial license
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a roofing contractor license in South Carolina?
Yes, South Carolina requires a statewide roofing contractor license through the SC Contractors' Licensing Board (commercial) / SC Residential Builders Commission (residential), both under LLR.
How much does a roofing contractor license cost in South Carolina?
The estimated initial cost is $425, including application, exam, and license fees.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: SC CLB / SC RBC