South Carolina Contractor's License

No. There is no required course needed to obtain apply for either license.

It depends on which license is right for you. The SC Residential Specialty License does not require an exam. The SC Residential Builders License however does require you to pass an exam. You may be exempt from the exam if you are already licensed in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, or North Carolina.

No. South Carolina does not require you to show proof of insurance as part of your application for a license. We do however strongly recommend you purchase insurance to protect you business and your livelihood. 

Yes. You must demonstrate at least 2 years of experience related to your license classification.

Yes. Both SC Residential Specialty Contractor and SC Residential Builders Licenses require to show proof of a surety bond.  The amount of the bond depends on the classification of your license. Special Trade Services may advise on which bond is required for your license and can issue it as well. 

Having a criminal history does not disqualify you from obtaining a SC Residential Builders License or a SC Specialty Contractor's License. We will however need to prepare a criminal history packet to present with your application for a license. 

Yes, both the SC Residential Builders License and the SC Residential Contractor's license allow you to perform work permitted by you classification anywhere in the state of South Carolina. Some restrictions apply. 

Although every application is unique, the average turnaround time for initial applications is 2-4 weeks and the average turnaround time for renewals are 1 day.

SC Specialty Contractor's License 

• Initial Application Fee: $100
• Reinstatement Fee: $290
• Our Service Fee: $1,000

Initial SC Builders License 

• Initial Application Fee: $135
• License Fee: $220
• Exam Fee: $90
• Our Service Fee: $1,000

South Carolina laws require any person who applies for a license to be lawfully present in the United States. You must either be a citizen, a legal permanent resident 18 years or older, or be a qualified alien. 18 years or older.

Generally speaking, if you charge or collect less than $5,000 per job, you're fine with a SC Specialty Residential Contractor's registration. (Ideal for small jobs only)

If you charge or collect more than $5,000 for any one job, you should have the SC Residential Builder's Registration. (Recommended for most contractors)