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. 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 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. A $5,000 surety bond is also required.
What experience do I need for a roofing contractor license in South Carolina?
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.
What exams are required for a roofing contractor license in South Carolina?
You must pass the SC Specialty Roofing Trade Exam and SC Business Management & Law (Commercial) exams. A passing score of 70% (35 of 50 correct on each exam) is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Do I need a bond for a roofing contractor license in South Carolina?
Yes, a $5,000 surety bond is required. Residential registered specialty: $5,000 surety bond. Commercial general contractor: bond amounts by group ($20,000 to $350,000) serve as alternative to net worth/working capital requirements.
Does South Carolina have roofing contractor license reciprocity?
Yes, South Carolina has reciprocity agreements with 9 states that may apply to roofing contractors. 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 roofing contractor license in South Carolina?
Processing time is typically 7-10 business days (residential registration); 3-4 weeks (commercial license) after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for roofing contractors in South Carolina?
No, South Carolina does not currently require continuing education for roofing contractor license renewal.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: SC CLB / SC RBC