Trades licensed
20 / 20
100% coverage
2026 data Public-data reference. State license required
South Carolina Contractor Licensing — 20 Trades Tracked
Open-data reference. 20 of 20 construction trades require a state-issued license in South Carolina. Cross-checked against the South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board, refreshed as new data lands.
Hiring eligibility composition
By licensing status
SC
Contractor Licensing Requirements
✓ State Contractor Licensing Required
#8 Strictest State (score: 8.2/10)
Exam mandates
9
of 20 licensed trades
Bond mandates
4
of 20 licensed trades
CE mandates
7
of 20 licensed trades
State licensing coverage 100.0%
20 of 20 tracked construction trades require a state-issued South Carolina license.
Licensing Board
Board Name
South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board
License Requirements by Trade
20 of 20 tracked trades require a license in South Carolina. Click any trade name to see full requirements details.
| Trade | License | Exam | Bond | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | ✓ | No | No | Yes |
| Demolition | ✓ | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electrician | ✓ | Yes | No | Yes |
| Elevator Mechanic | ✓ | Yes | No | Yes |
| Excavation | ✓ | No | No | Yes |
| Fire Protection | ✓ | Yes | No | Yes |
| Flooring Installer | ✓ | No | No | Yes |
| General Contractor | ✓ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Glazier | ✓ | No | No | Yes |
| HVAC Technician | ✓ | Yes | No | Yes |
| Insulation Installer | ✓ | No | No | Yes |
| Landscaper | ✓ | No | No | Yes |
| Mason | ✓ | No | No | Yes |
| Painter | ✓ | No | No | Yes |
| Pest Control | ✓ | Yes | No | Yes |
| Plumber | ✓ | Yes | No | Yes |
| Pool Contractor | ✓ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Roofer | ✓ | No | Yes | Yes |
| Solar Installer | ✓ | Yes | No | Yes |
| Tile Setter | ✓ | No | No | Yes |
Licensed Trade Details
Carpenter
Carpentry Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $200K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $50-$200
Demolition
Demolition Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: $10,000
Insurance: $500K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $100-$300
Electrician
Electrical Contractor/Master Electrician License
Exam: Required
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $300K
CE: 8 hrs
License fee: $50-$200
State-licensed in virtually all states. Journeyman to master pathway.
Elevator Mechanic
Elevator Mechanic/Contractor License
Exam: Required
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $500K
CE: 16 hrs
License fee: $100-$400
ASME A17.1 Safety Code. NEIEP or equivalent apprenticeship typically required.
Excavation
Excavation Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $300K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $50-$200
Fire Protection
Fire Protection System License
Exam: Required
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $500K
CE: 12 hrs
License fee: $100-$400
NICET certification often accepted. NFPA 13/72 knowledge tested.
Flooring Installer
Flooring Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $100K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $50-$200
General Contractor
Licensed Contractor (Class I-IV)
Exam: Required
Bond: $15,000
Insurance: $300K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $100-$300
Four classes by project value. Exam for higher classes.
Glazier
Glazing Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $200K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $50-$200
HVAC Technician
HVAC Contractor License
Exam: Required
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $300K
CE: 8 hrs
License fee: $50-$200
EPA 608 certification required nationally for refrigerant handling.
Insulation Installer
Insulation Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $200K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $50-$200
Landscaper
Landscape Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $100K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $50-$200
Mason
Masonry Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $300K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $50-$200
Painter
Painting Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $100K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $50-$200
Pest Control
Pesticide Applicator License
Exam: Required
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $300K
CE: 10 hrs
License fee: $75-$250
Licensed in all 50 states + DC. EPA 7 categories: general pest, termite, fumigation, etc.
Plumber
Master Plumber License
Exam: Required
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $300K
CE: 6 hrs
License fee: $50-$250
Journeyman to master pathway. Some states also require contractor registration.
Pool Contractor
Pool Contractor License
Exam: Required
Bond: $10,000
Insurance: $500K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $100-$400
State license + local permit required in most jurisdictions.
Roofer
Roofing Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: $10,000
Insurance: $500K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $100-$300
High consumer complaint rates drive strict licensing in more states.
Solar Installer
Solar Contractor License (+ Electrical)
Exam: Required
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $500K
CE: 10 hrs
License fee: $150-$400
NABCEP certification highly recommended. Electrical license often also required.
Tile Setter
Tile Contractor License
Exam: Not req.
Bond: Not req.
Insurance: $100K
CE: Not req.
License fee: $50-$200
What the South Carolina Licensing Record Shows
South Carolina licenses 20 of 20 tracked trades (100% coverage), administered through South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board. Ranks #8 nationally on strictness (8.2/10 composite).
Among South Carolina's licensed trades, 9 require a state exam, 4 a surety bond, 20 minimum liability insurance, and 7 ongoing continuing-education hours . That points to insurance-focused regulation (20/20 need liability minimums). Top barrier-to-entry trades here: General Contractor, Pool Contractor. Methodology & verification →
How South Carolina ranks against U.S. peers
South Carolina sits at #8 of 51 ranked states (8.2/10 strictness composite) — that's the 86th percentile, above the U.S. median of 5.5. The state directly above is LA at 8.3/10 (gap: 0.1 pp). The next state down is TN at 8.0/10.
National extremes: CA is strictest at 9.5/10, WY is loosest at 0.8/10. South Carolina's high rank reflects 20 state-licensed trades, contrasted against states that delegate most regulation to municipalities.
Strictest licensing states (for context)
Top 5 states — contractor licensing strictness (0-10)
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Contractor Licensing Tracker + state licensing board public records South Carolina contractor licensing requirements (trade-by-trade) + national strictness composite · 2026 State licensing boards update requirements rotationally; PlainHireCheck cross-references NCSL aggregated data with each state board's public roster. Strictness composite weights license breadth, exam mandates, bond size, insurance floors, and continuing-education obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a licensed and unlicensed contractor?
A licensed contractor has met state-specific requirements including education, experience, exams, and background checks. They carry required insurance and bonds. An unlicensed contractor has met none of these requirements. Hiring an unlicensed contractor may void your homeowner's insurance, expose you to liability if a worker is injured, and leave you with no legal recourse for defective work.
Does a license guarantee quality work?
No. A license means the contractor met minimum standards at the time of licensing. Always check reviews, ask for references, and see past project photos. However, a licensed contractor provides legal protections that an unlicensed contractor does not.
What is a contractor bond and why does it matter?
A contractor bond (surety bond) is a three-party agreement between the contractor, a bonding company, and you. If the contractor fails to complete a job or causes damage, you can make a claim against the bond. Bonds typically have limits ($5K-$100K) — they are a baseline protection, not comprehensive coverage.
What is contractor liability insurance?
General liability insurance covers property damage and bodily injury caused by the contractor. Always ask for a Certificate of Insurance showing at least $500,000-$1,000,000 in general liability coverage.
What is workers compensation and why do I care?
Workers' compensation covers contractors and their employees if injured on your property. Without it, an injured worker could potentially sue you as the property owner. Always verify workers' comp coverage before work begins.
Can I hire an unlicensed contractor to save money?
The risks are significant: work may not pass inspection, homeowner's insurance may deny claims, you could be liable for injuries, and you have limited legal recourse. Where contractor licensing is required by law, hiring unlicensed is also illegal.
Quick Facts
State License Required Yes
Trades Requiring License 20
Trades Tracked 20
Source: State Licensing Board / NCSL / NASCLA
Hiring Tips
Always Verify a License Before Hiring
Before signing any contract, verify the contractor's license on your state licensing board website. License lookup tools are free and take less than a minute. Never accept a license number without verifying it yourself.
Get At Least Three Written Bids
Always get at least three written bids for any project over $1,000. Bids should be itemized and specify materials, labor, timeline, and payment schedule. Beware of bids significantly lower than others.
Check Insurance Separately from Licensing
A contractor can be licensed but uninsured. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming you as additional insured. Verify it is current by calling the insurer. Both general liability and workers' compensation are important.
Never Pay More Than 10-30% Upfront
Be cautious of contractors demanding large upfront payments. A typical schedule: 10-30% down, incremental payments as work progresses, and 5-10% retained until completion and inspection.
Trade-Specific Requirements
Contractor Hiring Guides
Related South Carolina Data
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only. Requirements change — always verify directly with South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board before hiring.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov
Related
Data sourced from official state contractor licensing board records. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainHireCheck Editorial
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state contractor licensing board records |