Solar Installer License in South Carolina - Exam Required
Use South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board official lookup to confirm an active solar installer license before signing a contract.
Requirements recorded for this license
Installs photovoltaic systems, solar panels, and related electrical equipment
License Type
Solar Contractor License (+ Electrical)
NABCEP certification highly recommended. Electrical license often also required.
Requirements at a Glance
Exam Required
Yes, Exam Required
Experience Required
2 years minimum
Surety Bond
No bond required
Liability Insurance
Minimum $500K coverage
Continuing Education
10 hours required per renewal
License Fee
$150-$400
The bond, insurance, and fee figures above reflect an industry-typical baseline for solar installer licensing, per-state statutory research for this trade is still in progress, so this is not yet a confirmed dollar figure specific to South Carolina. Confirm the exact current requirement with the South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board before relying on a specific number.
How to Apply
- 1 Document at least 2 years of relevant work experience
- 2 Pass the required licensing exam, contact the board for approved testing centers
- 3 Purchase general liability insurance with at least $500K coverage
- ✓ Submit application and pay the license fee ($150-$400) to South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board
Compare Solar Installer Requirements Across States
25 of 51 states require a solar installer license. See how South Carolina compares.
View All States for Solar Installer →What the South Carolina Solar Installer Record Shows
South Carolina requires solar installer contractors to hold a Solar Contractor License (+ Electrical) before performing licensed work. Of 25 US states that license solar installer work, South Carolina's regime applies a partial screen, combining some but not all of the exam, bond, and insurance requirements seen in peer states. Licensing is administered through the South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board, which issues the credential, maintains the public license roster, and adjudicates consumer complaints.
The specific entry requirements for solar installer contractors in South Carolina are: a qualifying exam, 2 years of documented work experience, no surety bond, liability insurance with at least $500K in coverage, and 10 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. License fees in this classification run $150-$400. Additional notes from the licensing board: NABCEP certification highly recommended. Electrical license often also required.
For homeowners in South Carolina, verification is straightforward: use South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board's official license lookup to confirm the license number is active, matches the contractor's legal business name, and has no disciplinary history attached. Ask for a copy of the license and the certificate of insurance before signing a contract, and request the surety bond provider if bonding is required. If defective work or non-performance occurs, the state complaint process is the formal path to recovery, file promptly, document everything, and retain copies of contracts, invoices, and correspondence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of license do solar installer contractors need in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires solar installer contractors to hold a Solar Contractor License (+ Electrical). A licensing exam is required. Contact the South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board for the most current application process.
How much does a solar installer license cost in South Carolina?
License fees for solar installer contractors in South Carolina are typically around $150-$400 (an industry-typical baseline; per-state fee research for this trade is still in progress). Additional costs may include exam fees, bonding premiums, and insurance. Fees are subject to change, verify current amounts with the South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board.
Is insurance required for solar installer contractors in South Carolina?
Yes, South Carolina requires solar installer contractors to carry liability insurance with a typical minimum coverage of $500K (an industry-typical baseline, not yet a confirmed state-specific figure). Even where not legally required, hiring an insured contractor protects homeowners from liability for on-site accidents.
How do I verify a solar installer contractor's license in South Carolina?
South Carolina offers a free online license verification tool through its licensing board website. You can search by the contractor's name or license number to confirm active status and check for any disciplinary history.
What licenses does a solar installer need?
Solar installers typically need a solar contractor license plus an electrical contractor license since solar connects to your electrical system. NABCEP certification is a nationally recognized credential. Always verify both licenses before signing a solar contract.
Verify This Contractor
Look up any contractor's license number on South Carolina's official verification tool.
Verify License Now →Other Trades in South Carolina
View all trades in South Carolina →Disclaimer: Requirements shown are from state licensing boards and NCSL. Always verify current requirements directly with South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
States With Similar Solar Installer Licensing Strictness
Other states that license solar installer contractors with a similar exam/bond/insurance/CE requirement profile to South Carolina's.
Every figure on PlainHireCheck is rendered directly from state licensing board source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on state licensing board source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
| Publisher | PlainHireCheck |
| Sources | Public state contractor licensing board records |