South Carolina Contractor License Requirements: 2026 Comprehensive Guide
South Carolina requires a contractor license for both commercial and residential work, administered through two separate boards under LLR. The Contractors’ Licensing Board (CLB) handles commercial and specialty contractors. The Residential Builders Commission (RBC) handles residential builders and specialty registrants. Effective January 1, 2026, Carolinas AGC (CAGC) replaced MASC as the provider of South Carolina’s Mechanical Trades Certification Program. This guide covers every South Carolina requirement in effect for 2026.
Two Boards - CLB and RBC
CLB at llr.sc.gov/clb handles commercial GC and specialty contractors. RBC at llr.sc.gov/res handles residential builders and specialty contractors. A contractor doing both commercial and residential work may need licenses with both boards. These boards have different exams, fees, bond requirements, and renewal cycles.
CLB - Commercial Licensing (Group Limits)
CLB licenses use a Group Limit system based on financial qualifications. Group 1: up to $100,000. Group 2: up to $250,000. Group 3: up to $500,000. Group 4: up to $1,000,000. Group 5: unlimited.
Requirements: technical exam plus SC Business Management and Law exam (PSI), financial responsibility documentation, bond, and proof of insurance. NASCLA accepted for some CLB classifications.
All CLB licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years - next expiration: October 31, 2026.
RBC - Residential Licensing
Licensed Residential Builder: one year verifiable residential construction experience, exam, $15,000 surety bond, insurance. Residential Specialty Contractor registration for specialty residential work over $5,000: $10,000 bond. Residential Specialty Registrations renew June 30 of odd-numbered years - next renewal June 30, 2027.
January 2026 - MASC to CAGC Change
Effective January 1, 2026, Carolinas AGC (CAGC) replaced MASC as the provider of South Carolina's Mechanical Trades Certification Program. All new Master Electrician, Master Plumber, and Master Mechanical certifications issued after January 1, 2026 come from CAGC. Prior MASC certifications issued before December 2025 remain valid. For new certifications, contact CAGC at cagc.org.
Reciprocity
CLB has reciprocity agreements with Georigia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and others - classification-specific. All reciprocity applicants must pass the SC B&L exam. RBC has separate reciprocity agreements - verify at llr.sc.gov/res.
For insurance guidance see our South Carolina contractor insurance requirements guide.
Pro tip: South Carolina’s CLB Group Limit is determined by your financial documentation at application. If your working capital or net worth has grown since you were originally licensed, you may now qualify for a higher Group Limit, which means you could be turning down projects you are actually financially qualified to take. Review your Group Limit at each renewal and apply for an upgrade if your financials support it.
Bottom Line and Next Steps
South Carolina’s dual-board structure is the defining complexity. The January 2026 MASC-to-CAGC mechanical certification transition is the most important current change. The October 31, 2026 CLB license expiration affects all currently licensed commercial contractors, plan renewal early.
Take the Next Step
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Contractor Insurance Requirements by State - Compare coverage mandates across all 50 states
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Insurance Costs by State - See what GL and WC actually costs in your state
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Proof of Insurance Guide - What to have ready when clients or GCs ask
Insurance requirements, license requirements, and market premiums are subject to change alongside state legislation and carrier appetite. While we audit and update this data regularly to ensure reliability (Last Updated: May 2026), these figures are for research and planning purposes only. Always verify specific coverage mandates with your local licensing board or a licensed broker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed for South Carolina mechanical contractors in January 2026?
CAGC replaced MASC as the provider of South Carolina’s Mechanical Trades Certification Program. New certifications and renewals go through CAGC. Prior MASC certifications remain valid.
Does South Carolina accept NASCLA?
Yes, for some CLB commercial classifications. The SC Business Management and Law exam is still required regardless of NASCLA score.
When do South Carolina CLB licenses expire?
October 31 of even-numbered years. All current CLB licenses expire October 31, 2026.