South Carolina general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
$220.00
Required hours
—
Not verified yet
Exam
Technical examination and Business Management and Law examination; approved technical exam waivers do not waive Business Management and Law.
Renewal
—
Not verified yet
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Residential builders construct or supervise work exceeding $5,000 on residential buildings no more than three floors high or 16 units in a single apartment building.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
"Residential builder" means one who constructs, superintends, or offers to construct or superintend the construction, repair, improvement, or reimprovement of a residential building or structure which is not over three floors in height and which does not have more than sixteen units in any single apartment building, when the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars.Official source
Agency guidance
This record covers the Residential Builder credential, which is issued to an individual rather than a company.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
We license the individual, not the company.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
South Carolina Residential Builders Commission
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Submit the completed application form to the Residential Builders Commission
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check the qualifications
Experience
One year of supervised residential building experience within the five years before application.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
If you do not have one year of experience supervised by a licensed builder/contractor/other professional within the preceding five (5) year period
Official sourceExam
Technical examination and Business Management and Law examination; approved technical exam waivers do not waive Business Management and Law.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Individuals interested in becoming licensed or registered as a Residential Builder, Residential Specialty Contractor or Home Inspector by Examination must take a two-part examination for licensure in South Carolina. Work experience requirements and the Business Management and Law Exam are still applicable.
Official sourceBond
A $15,000 surety bond is required after passing the exams.
Education
A college degree does not waive the statutory one-year experience requirement.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Q. If I have a college degree, will that waive the statutory one (1) year experience requirement? A. No, it will be taken into consideration, but the Commission is looking for hands-on experience building homes from the ground up.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
$135.00
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Residential Builder License (RBB) | RBB Application Fee | $135.00
Official sourceExam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
$220.00
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Official source
Reciprocity
Technical-exam waiver pathways exist for eligible state licenses and NASCLA; experience and Business Management and Law remain required.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
has a current license in the eligible state that must have been obtained by examination for one year or longer. Grandfathered licensees do not qualify for an exam waiver. has passed the NASCLA National Contractors Exam within the past 3 years. Work experience requirements and the Business Management and Law Exam are still applicable.Official source
Official sources and verification (12)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Submit the completed application form to the Residential Builders CommissionOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
"Residential builder" means one who constructs, superintends, or offers to construct or superintend the construction, repair, improvement, or reimprovement of a residential building or structure which is not over three floors in height and which does not have more than sixteen units in any single apartment building, when the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
If you do not have one year of experience supervised by a licensed builder/contractor/other professional within the preceding five (5) year periodOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Individuals interested in becoming licensed or registered as a Residential Builder, Residential Specialty Contractor or Home Inspector by Examination must take a two-part examination for licensure in South Carolina. Work experience requirements and the Business Management and Law Exam are still applicable.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Q. If I have a college degree, will that waive the statutory one (1) year experience requirement? A. No, it will be taken into consideration, but the Commission is looking for hands-on experience building homes from the ground up.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Residential Builder License (RBB) | RBB Application Fee | $135.00Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
has a current license in the eligible state that must have been obtained by examination for one year or longer. Grandfathered licensees do not qualify for an exam waiver. has passed the NASCLA National Contractors Exam within the past 3 years. Work experience requirements and the Business Management and Law Exam are still applicable.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (4)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.