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 |
| Est. Initial Total | $425 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Residential specialty registration | $100 |
| Residential registration renewal | $100 |
| Half-period commercial license | $175 |
| Each PSI exam section | $75 |
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
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.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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 · SponsoredContractor's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and code references 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
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
You're licensed in South Carolina as a roofing contractor — 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 General Contractor License (Roofing Subclassification, Groups 1-5) or Registered Residential Specialty Contractor (Roofing); 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 $5,000 surety bond. 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. 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 roofing contractor 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 even years; residential registration: expires June 30 odd years) at $350.
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
- Plumber 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
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.
Next steps
You know the requirements for roofing contractors in South Carolina— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: SC CLB / SC RBC