Residential Specialty Contractor Registration
Individuals interested in becoming a Registered Residential Specialty Contractor in South Carolina must meet the specific application and experience requirements as established by the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission. These requirements ensure that all Registered Specialty Contractors possess the practical experience and professional competence necessary to protect the public and uphold the standards of the profession.
Residential Specialty Contractor means an independent contractor who contracts with a licensed residential builder, general contractor, or individual property owner to do construction work, repairs, improvement, or reimprovement which requires special skills and involves the use of specialized construction trades or craft, when the undertakings exceed five hundred dollars ($500) and are not regulated by the provisions of Chapter 11, Title 40.
A residential specialty contractor is not authorized to construct additions to residential buildings or structures without supervision by a residential builder or other appropriately licensed person or entity. Residential specialty contracting includes the areas of contracting set forth below that are the trade classifications available for registration. A residential specialty contractor is prohibited from undertaking work outside the scope of his or her registration, including employing, hiring, and contracting or subcontracting with others to perform such work on his or her behalf.
A Residential Specialty Contractor Registration is limited to three trade classifications. Trade classifications may be changed, but only during the renewal period. If you need to practice more than three trade classifications at a time, you must apply to become a Residential Builder. An examination is not required to become a registered specialty contractor.
The trades available for registration are defined in Regulation 106-1 (d-m) as:
Vinyl and Aluminum Siding Installers: the installation, alteration and repair of vinyl and aluminum siding common to the residential building industry.
Insulation installers: the installation, alteration and repair of insulating materials for the purpose of temperature or sound control, excluding any exterior roofing materials such as foam and reflective coating common to the residential building industry.
Roofers: the installation, alteration and repair of materials common to the residential building industry that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for roofs and decks, including all accessories, flashing, valleys, gravel stops and roof insulation panels above the roof deck.
Floor Covering Installers: the installation, replacement and repair of floor covering materials and related accessories including preparation of the surface to be covered: included are materials manufactured of asphalt, vinyl, rubber, linoleum, and carpet.
Masons: the installation, alteration and repair of poured-in-place concrete foundations (e.g. footings or reinforced slabs), brick, concrete block, and products common to the masonry industry, including mortarless types and synthetic masonry products common to the residential building industry.
Dry Wall Installer: the installation, alteration and repair of plaster, gypsum wall board, pointing, accessories, taping and texturing on structures both interior and exterior common to the residential building industry.
Carpenters: the installation, alteration and repair of rough and general carpentry work on new and existing structures including accessories and related hardware common to the residential building industry.
Stucco Installers: the installation, alteration and repair of stucco finishes, including Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS), which is defined as multi-layered exterior wall systems consisting of a durable waterproof finish coat, a reinforced base coat, and insulation board, all secured to plywood or other substance by means of an adhesive and/or mechanical attachment.
Painters/Wallpaperers: the application of materials common to the painting and decorating industry for protective or decorative purposes, includes surface preparation, caulking, sanding and cleaning preparatory to painting common to the residential building industry: and the installation, alteration and repair of surface coverings such as vinyl, wallpapers, and cloth fabrics, decorative texturing, taping and finishing of drywall in conjunction with surface painting only common to the residential building industry.
Solar Panel Installers: the application of materials common to the painting and decorating industry for protective or decorative purposes, includes surface preparation, caulking, sanding and cleaning preparatory to painting common to the residential building industry: and the installation, alteration and repair of surface coverings such as vinyls, wallpapers, and cloth fabrics, decorative texturing, taping and finishing of drywall in conjunction with surface painting only common to the residential building industry.
Individuals seeking registration as a specialty contractor must apply for registration through the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission. Applicants must complete and submit the appropriate application, with all required documentation and fees, to the Commission. Once received, the Commission will review the application to determine registration eligibility. Applicants should ensure their email address on file with the Commission is current to receive all notifications.
| Residential Specialty Contractor (RBS) Fees | |
| Fee Type | Current Fee Amount |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Renewal Fee | $100 |
| Renewal Late Fee | $20 |
| Reinstatement Fee | $290 |