A current South Carolina license or registration is required to engage in residential building, specialty contracting or home inspecting activities in this state, as defined in S.C. Code of Laws Title 40 Chapter 59.
A residential business certificate of authorization is required for any firms where a licensee does not own at least 51% of the business.
- To become registered as a Residential Specialty Contractor
- To become licensed as a Residential Electrical Contractor
- To become licensed as a Residential HVAC Contractor
- To become licensed as a Residential Plumbing Contractor
- To become licensed as a Home Inspector
- To be issued a Certificate of Authorization
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License type Fee Type Current Fee Amount Residential Builder License (RBB) RBB Application Fee $135.00 RBB License Fee $220.00 RBB Renewal Fee $220.00 RBB Renewal Late Fee $50.00 RBB Reinstatement Fee $480.00 Certificate of Authorization (COA) COA License Fee $100.00 COA Renewal Fee $100.00 Residential Specialty Contractor Electrical License (RBE) RBE Application Fee $135.00 RBE License Fee $220.00 RBE Renewal Fee $220.00 RBE Renewal Late Fee $50.00 RBE Reinstatement Fee $480.00 Residential Specialty Heating and Air License (RBH) RBH Application Fee $100.00 RBH License Fee $220.00 RBH Renewal Fee $220.00 RBH Renewal Late Fee $50.00 RBH Reinstatement Fee $480.00 Residential Home Inspector License (RBI) RBI Application Fee $80.00 RBI Reinstatement Fee $360.00 RBI Renewal Fee $160.00 RBI Renewal Late Fee $90.00 Residential Specialty Plumbing License (RBP) RBP Application Fee $135.00 RBP License Fee $220.00 RBP Renewal Fee $220.00 RBP Renewal Late Fee $50.00 RBP Reinstatement Fee $480.00 Residential Specialty Contractor Registration (RBS) RBS Registration Fee $100.00 RBS Reinstatement Fee $290.00 RBS Renewal Fee $100.00 RBS Renewal Late Fee $20.00 - PSI Exam Fees
- Licensee/Registrant List (CD): $10
- Duplicate License: $10 (wallet card)
- Verification of License: $0
- Name or Address Change with a new card issued: $10
There is no charge for address or name changes made for the Commission's records only. The charge applies if a new license/registration card is requested.
Paper Applications
- Application for Residential Specialty Contractor Electrical License by Examination
- Application for Residential Specialty Contractor HVAC License by Examination
- Application for Residential Specialty Contractor Plumbing License by Examination
- Application for Registration as a Residential Specialty Contractor
- Application for Residential Home Builder by Examination
- Application for Certificate of Authorization
- Application for Home Inspector
- Reinstatement Application Residential Specialty Contractor Electrical/Plumbing/HVAC
- Reinstatement Application Specialty Contractor Registration
- Reinstatement Residential Builder Lapsed Form
- Reinstatement Residential Home Inspector Lapsed Form
All of the above apps with the exception of the Certificate of Authorization are available for online submission as well.
Forms
- Complaint Form
- Change of Information Form
- Residential Construction Standards are the guidelines used in analyzing complaints.
- Surety Bond
- Companies that have written bonds
- Licensee List Request
- SC Standards of Practice for Home Inspectors
Instructions for Applying for Registration or Licensure
Any person licensed to practice residential building by any other state or country who has entered into an exam waiver agreement with the SC Residential Builders Commission, may be licensed to practice residential building in this state without taking the technical examination. The SC Business Management and Law Exam would still be required. Exam waiver is assessed by state requirements and examination content.
Licensure by Examination:
In order to be eligible for licensure with the Commission, applicants must successfully pass the required examination administered by PSI and have one year of verifiable experience under the supervision of a licensed individual in the trade for which they are applying. When submitting an application to the Commission, the requirements are as follows:
(1) Complete the application for the trade for which you are seeking licensure/registration. Application must include a notarized signature and all other items listed within the application. Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed.
(2) Check or Money Order only in the amount listed on the application made payable to SC Residential Builders Commission. Fee is non-refundable. NO CASH IS ACCEPTED.
(3) Copy of your valid Driver's License, State Issued photo ID or Passport
(4) Copy of your Social Security card.
(5) Criminal history background check from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) www.sled.sc.gov. Non-residents must submit a criminal history background check from the applicant's resident state (State Law Enforcement Agency or equivalent). You must supply this only if you have prior arrests/convictions.
(6) Completed and notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form.
(7) Copies of W2’s and/or 1099’s from employer who will be filling out your affidavit of experience.
(8) Certifications, transcripts, resumes and any other supporting documentation of work experience in the trade applied for.
(9) Copy of your complete credit report, we accept TransUnion, Equifax or Experian.
Include written explanation(s) for any “Yes” answer(s) for questions in “General Information” of the application and include any supporting documentation. Have submitted directly to the Board from the issuing agency or organization to the above address.
Verification of Licensure from the state(s) you hold licenses in the trade applied for.
Licensure by Exam Waiver:
SC currently has Exam Waiver Agreements for the technical portion of the examination only for Residential Builders to practice in the non-mechanical trades only with Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, SC Contractor's Licensing Board, and NASCLA National Contractors Exam is also accepted in lieu of our SC Builders Exam.
SC currently has Exam Waiver Agreements for the technical portion of the examination only for Residential Electrical License with North Carolina, Mississippi, NASCLA Electrical Exam is also accepted in lieu of our SC Builders Exam.
SC currently has Exam Waiver Agreements for the technical portion of the examination only for Residential HVAC License with Alabama, North Carolina and Mississippi.
SC currently has Exam Waiver Agreements for the technical portion of the examination only for Residential Plumbing License with North Carolina and Mississippi.
You must still take and pass the SC Business Management and Law Exam.
Listed below are the instructions for applying for exam waiver license.
To be eligible for licensure by Exam Waiver with the Residential Builders Commission, the applicant must be currently licensed in good standing in an exam waiver state as a builder or electrician. When submitting an application to the Commission, the requirements are as follows:
(1) Complete the Application in the trade you are applying for in its entirety. Application must include a notarized signature and all other required documents. Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed.
(2) Check or Money Order only in the amount listed on the application made payable to SC Residential Builders Commission. Fee is non-refundable. NO CASH IS ACCEPTED.
(3) Copy of your valid Driver's License, State Issued photo ID or Passport.
(4) Copy of your Social Security card.
(5) Completed and notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form
(6) Copies of W2’s and/or 1099’s from employer who will be filling out your affidavit of experience.
(7) Certifications, transcripts, resumes and any other supporting documentation of work experience in the trade applied for.
(8) Copy of your complete credit report, we accept TransUnion, Equifax or Experian.
(9) Verification of Licensure from the state(s) you hold licenses in the trade applied for.
Include written explanation(s) for any “Yes” answer(s) for questions in “General Information” of the application and include any supporting documentation. Have submitted directly to the Board from the issuing agency or organization to the above address.
Residential Specialty Registration:
(1) Complete the Application in the trade for which you are applying in its entirety. Application must include a notarized signature and all other required documents. An applicant must submit a Work Experience Affidavit that supports one (1) year of residential work experience within the past five (5) years for each requested trade classification or notarized letters of reference as set forth below. The Affidavit must provide appropriate contact information for individuals with direct knowledge of the experience described and dates must be included. The description of experience section should contain detailed descriptions of work performed by the individual applicant (not their company) that is related to the trade classification(s) being applied for. The affidavit should be signed by the applicant and properly notarized. In lieu of submitting the Work Experience Affidavit, an applicant may submit notarized letters of reference from licensed builders, contractors, customers, owners, employers, etc. Notarized letters of reference must describe in detail the work you performed in each trade classification you are applying for. Dates must be included in the correspondence to add up to the total of at least one year of residential work experience within the past 5 years for each requested trade classification. Reference letters cannot be a generic form letter. Notarized letters of reference must include the name, address, and phone number of the person signing the letter. We will not accept form letters. Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed.
(2) Check or Money Order only in the amount listed on the application made payable to SC Residential Builders Commission. Fee is non-refundable. NO CASH IS ACCEPTED.
(3) Copy of your valid Driver's License, State Issued photo ID or Passport
(4) Copy of your Social Security card.
(5) Criminal history background check from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) www.sled.sc.gov. Non-residents must submit a criminal history background check from the applicant's resident state (State Law Enforcement Agency or equivalent). You must supply this only if you have prior arrests/convictions.
(6) Copy of your complete credit report, we accept TransUnion, Equifax or Experian.
(7) Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form (attached) In accordance with S.C. Code of Laws Section 8-29-10 and a SC Attorney General Opinion dated March 3, 2014, DACA status recipients are not eligible to receive a professional license in South Carolina.
(8) Work Experience Affidavit or Notarized Letters of Reference
(9) Legal Name Change Documentation, if applicable
(10) Surety Bond, if applicable
Explanatory Statement of "Yes" Answer Form (insert url here) and Documentation for “Yes” Answers, if applicable.
Certificate of Existence/Authorization and Articles of Incorporation, if applicable.
Licensure by Reinstatement
Licensees who allow their license/registration to lapse for twelve months up to 3 years must apply for reinstatement.
To apply for reinstatement, licensees/registrants must submit the following:
(1) Complete the Reinstatement Application for the trade for which you were previously licensed/registered. Application must include a notarized signature and all other documents listed within the application. Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed.
(2) Check or Money Order for reinstatement fee amount listed on the application made payable to SC Residential Builders Commission.
(3) Copy of your valid Driver's License, State Issued photo ID or Passport.
(4) Criminal history background check from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) www.sled.sc.gov. Non-residents must submit a criminal history background check from the applicant's resident state (State Law Enforcement Agency or equivalent). Applies only if the applicant has prior arrests/convictions.
(5) License lapse of 3 or more years must reapply and successfully complete the examination required for initial licensing.
(6) Registration lapse of 3 or more years must reapply as a new applicant.
(7) Copy of your complete credit report, we accept TransUnion, Equifax or Experian.
(8) Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form (attached) In accordance with S.C. Code of Laws Section 8-29-10 and a SC Attorney General Opinion dated March 3, 2014, DACA status recipients are not eligible to receive a professional license in South Carolina.
(9) Legal Name Change Documentation, if applicable.
Explanatory Statement of “Yes” Answer Form (insert url here) and Documentation for “Yes” Answers, if applicable.
Certificate of Existence/Authorization and Articles of Incorporation, if applicable.