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South Carolina
South Carolina Contractor Licenses
South Carolina has three different types of licenses: Residential Builder, Limited Building Contractor, and General Building Contractor.
All 3 licenses can do residential, so the difference is in how much commercial work is allowed. Residential Builder cannot do commercial work, Limited Building Contractor can do only "limited" commercial work (commercial structures under four stories and less than $1,000,000), and General Building Contractor has no restrictions.
In South Carolina, a license is required for any job over $5,000.
South Carolina General Contractor (NASCLA)
The South Carolina General Building Contractor license allows the builder to bid on, build, or modify any type or size of commercial or residential property.
There are two required exams: the NASCLA commercial trades exam and the South Carolina Commercial Business Law exam. Once you pass the NASCLA exam, your passing score can also be used in other states to get commercial GC licenses. For a current list of states that accept NASCLA: Click Here
South Carolina Residential Builder
The South Carolina Residential Builder license allows for residential construction from the ground up, as well as remodeling existing residential properties.
There are two required exams: the South Carolina Residential Builder trades exam and the South Carolina Residential Business Law exam.
South Carolina Limited Building Contractor
The South Carolina Limited Building Contractor license allows the builder to bid on, build, or modify residential structures of any size and commercial structures that are not over 3 stories in height or $1,000,000.
There are two required exams: the South Carolina Limited Building Contractor trades exam and the South Carolina Commercial Business Law exam.
South Carolina Non-Structural Building Contractor
The South Carolina Non-Structural Building Contractor Nonstructural Renovation" which includes interior and exterior installing, remodeling, renovations, and finishes of acoustical ceiling systems and panels, load-bearing and non-load-bearing drywall partitions, lathing and plastering, flooring (excluding carpet) and finishing, interior recreational surfaces, window and door installation, and installation of fixtures, cabinets, and millwork; and which also includes fireproofing, insulation, lining, painting, partitions, sandblasting, interior and exterior wall covering, and waterproofing. .
There are two required exams: the South Carolina Non-Structural Building Contractor trades exam and the South Carolina Business Law exam.
South Carolina Commercial Business & Law
This exam is required for all commercial contractor's licenses. The South Carolina Commercial Business & Law exam is a short 2 hour exam covering information in only 1 book.
South Carolina Residential Business & Law
This exam is required for all residential contractor's licenses. The South Carolina Residential Business & Law exam is a short 2 hour exam covering information in only 1 book.
Frequently Asked Questions: South Carolina Contractor License
What types of contractor licenses does South Carolina offer?
South Carolina offers three primary contractor license types plus a specialty license:
Residential Builder — residential construction only, no commercial work allowed.
Limited Building Contractor — residential plus limited commercial work (commercial structures under 4 stories AND under $1,000,000).
General Building Contractor — no restrictions on commercial or residential project size or type.
Non-Structural Building Contractor — interior and exterior renovations including drywall, ceilings, and finishes. Explore Non-Structural prep.
When is a South Carolina contractor license required?
In South Carolina, a contractor license is required for any construction job over $5,000. This applies to both commercial and residential work. Contractors working above this threshold without a license face penalties from the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
What is the difference between SC General, Limited, and Residential Builder licenses?
All three SC licenses permit residential work. The differences are in commercial scope:
Residential Builder: residential construction only — no commercial work permitted.
Limited Building Contractor: adds limited commercial work — structures must be under 4 stories AND contracts under $1,000,000.
General Building Contractor: no restrictions on commercial or residential project size or type.
Most contractors planning to work commercially at any scale should pursue the General Building Contractor license — especially if multi-state reciprocity (via NASCLA) is important. Explore SC General Contractor NASCLA prep.
Do I need to take the NASCLA exam for a South Carolina contractor license?
The NASCLA Accredited Examination is one option for the trades portion of the South Carolina General Building Contractor license. It is not required for Residential Builder or Limited Building Contractor licenses, which have their own SC-specific trades exams.
The NASCLA route is valuable for contractors who want multi-state reciprocity, since NASCLA results are accepted in 17 jurisdictions. Pass once, qualify in multiple states.
Do I need to take a Business & Law exam in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina has two separate Business & Law exams:
SC Commercial Business & Law exam — required for all commercial contractor licenses (General, Limited). 2 hours, 1 reference book. Explore Commercial Business & Law prep.
SC Residential Business & Law exam — required for all residential contractor licenses (Residential Builder). 2 hours, 1 reference book. Explore Residential Business & Law prep.
Can I convert my SC commercial license to a residential license?
Yes. If you already hold a South Carolina commercial contractor license, you may obtain a residential license by passing the South Carolina Residential Business & Law exam and submitting an application to the licensing board. You do not need to retake the trades exam if you already passed it for your commercial license.
What is the SC Non-Structural Building Contractor license?
The South Carolina Non-Structural Building Contractor license covers interior and exterior renovation work including drywall (load-bearing and non-load-bearing), acoustical ceiling systems, panel systems, finishes, and similar non-load-bearing renovations. It's a more focused credential than the general or limited building contractor licenses and is appropriate for renovation specialists who don't take on structural construction work.