How to Check a Contractor's License in South Carolina

South Carolina splits contractor licensing across two main bodies: the Contractors' Licensing Board for general and mechanical contractors, and the Residential Builders Commission for residential specialty work. Depending on the type of project, you may need to check one or both.

This guide walks through how to verify a contractor's license in South Carolina, what the different license groups mean, where to search, and what else to check before signing a contract.

Does South Carolina require a contractor license?

Yes. South Carolina requires a state license for contractors on projects that exceed certain dollar thresholds. The Contractors' Licensing Board (CLB) oversees general and mechanical contractors; the Residential Builders Commission (RBC) handles residential builders and residential specialty contractors. Both boards fall under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR).

South Carolina requires licensing for contractors working on projects that meet certain dollar thresholds. The South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board (CLB) oversees licensing for general and mechanical contractors. The CLB operates under the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR).

General and mechanical contractors must hold a license for any single project (including labor and materials) that exceeds certain value thresholds depending on the license group. The CLB organizes licenses into groups and subclassifications based on the type of work:

• Group 1 — General Construction— building construction, highway construction, and heavy construction
• Group 2 — Mechanical Construction— heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and fire sprinkler systems
• Group 3 — Specialty Construction— specific trades like roofing, concrete, masonry, painting, and insulation

Each group has subclassifications that further define the specific type of work the contractor is authorized to perform. A contractor licensed for roofing, for example, cannot legally take on a plumbing job under that same license.

What do the South Carolina contractor license groups mean?

South Carolina uses three license groups: Group 1 covers general building, highway, and heavy construction; Group 2 covers mechanical systems like HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection; Group 3 covers specialty trades such as roofing, electrical, concrete, and masonry. Each license also carries a financial limitation capping the maximum project value the contractor can legally take on — make sure your project falls within that cap.

The license group and subclassification matter because they define the scope of work a contractor can legally perform. Here is what each group covers in more detail:

• Group 1 (General)— covers commercial and residential building construction, highway work, bridges, and heavy construction projects. These contractors can oversee entire projects and hire subcontractors for specialty trades.
• Group 2 (Mechanical)— covers HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems. Contractors in this group work on the mechanical systems within buildings rather than the structure itself.
• Group 3 (Specialty)— covers individual trades such as roofing, electrical work, concrete, masonry, demolition, and painting. Each subclassification within Group 3 authorizes a narrow scope of work.

Licenses also have a financial limitation, which caps the maximum dollar value of a single project the contractor can take on. When verifying a license, make sure the contractor's limitation is high enough to cover your project's value.

How do I verify a contractor's license in South Carolina?

Go to verify.llr.sc.gov — the South Carolina LLR's official license verification portal. Search by license number (fastest), business name, or individual name. Select "Contractor" as the license type for CLB results, or "Residential Builder" / "Residential Specialty Contractor" for RBC results. If a name search returns nothing, try a partial name or search by the owner's personal name.

The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation maintains a public license verification search at verify.llr.sc.gov. This is the primary tool for checking contractor licenses issued by the CLB.

You can search by:

• License number— the fastest way to find a specific contractor
• Business name— what most homeowners use when they know the company but not the license number
• Individual name— helpful when you know the contractor's personal name but not the company

Select the appropriate license type (Contractor) when searching. If you're having trouble finding a result, try a partial name search. Many contractors register under a legal name that differs from their marketing name.

What should I look for in a South Carolina contractor's license record?

Confirm the license status is "Active," the group and subclassification match the type of work you need done, and the financial limitation covers your project's full budget. Also note the expiration date and the qualifier — the individual who passed the licensing exam and is legally responsible for the work performed under that license.

Once you locate the contractor in the LLR system, review the following fields carefully:

• License number— the unique identifier for the contractor
• License status— whether the license is currently active and in good standing
• License group and subclassification— the type of work they are authorized to perform
• Financial limitation— the maximum project value they can take on under this license
• Expiration date— when the license is due for renewal
• Qualifier— the individual who passed the exam and holds the license on behalf of the company

Make sure the license status is Active, the group and subclassification match the type of work you need, and the financial limitation covers your project's budget. An expired or inactive license means the contractor is not currently authorized to perform licensed work.

What is the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission and when do I check it?

The Residential Builders Commission (RBC) licenses contractors doing residential construction, improvement, or repair work. If you're hiring someone to build or renovate a home — rather than a commercial project — you likely need the RBC, not just the CLB. Verify RBC licenses through the same LLR portal at verify.llr.sc.gov by selecting "Residential Builder" or "Residential Specialty Contractor" as the license type.

If you're hiring a contractor for residential specialty work, you may need to check a different body. The South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (RBC) licenses residential builders and residential specialty contractors. The RBC also falls under the LLR.

Residential builders are required to hold an RBC license for construction, improvement, or repair of residential properties. The RBC issues licenses in several categories:

• Residential Builder— authorized to build or supervise the construction of residential structures
• Residential Specialty Contractor— authorized for specific residential trades such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, or framing within a residential context

You can verify RBC licenses through the same LLR verification portal. When searching, select the Residential Builder or Residential Specialty Contractor license type to narrow your results.

Some contractors hold licenses from both the CLB and the RBC depending on the scope of their work. A general contractor who builds both commercial buildings and single-family homes, for example, may carry both.

Are electricians and plumbers licensed separately in South Carolina?

Yes. Electrical work performed as a standalone trade falls under the RBC as a residential specialty contractor license for residential projects, or under CLB Group 3 for commercial work. Plumbing falls under CLB Group 2 (mechanical contractor). Fire sprinkler and alarm systems also fall under CLB Group 2. If your project involves multiple trades, verify each subcontractor independently through the LLR portal.

Beyond the CLB and RBC, certain specialty trades in South Carolina are licensed through their own boards or commissions:

• Electrical work— if your project involves electrical work as a standalone trade, the contractor should hold a license through the appropriate licensing body. Electricians performing residential work may be licensed under the RBC as a residential specialty contractor.
• Plumbing— licensed plumbers working on standalone plumbing projects should carry the appropriate classification. Plumbing work under a general or mechanical contractor falls under the CLB Group 2 license.
• Fire sprinkler and alarm systems— these fall under mechanical contractor licensing (Group 2) through the CLB.

If your project involves multiple trades, verify that each subcontractor holds the appropriate license for their portion of the work. A general contractor may hire licensed subcontractors, but you can always verify those subs independently through the LLR portal.

What else should I verify before hiring a contractor in South Carolina?

A valid license confirms minimum state requirements are met — not quality or financial responsibility. Also verify general liability insurance (call the carrier to confirm it's current), workers' compensation for businesses with four or more employees, the CLB surety bond, complaint history through the LLR, and at least three references. Get a written contract with the license number before any work begins.

A valid license confirms the contractor met the state's minimum requirements. It does not guarantee quality work or financial responsibility. Before signing a contract, verify these additional items:

• Insurance— ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage. South Carolina requires workers' compensation insurance for businesses with four or more employees. Call the insurance carrier directly to confirm the policy is current.
• Bonding— the CLB requires contractors to carry a surety bond. The bond amount varies depending on the license group and financial limitation. This bond provides some financial protection if the contractor fails to complete the work.
• Complaints and disciplinary actions— check the LLR website for any complaints or disciplinary actions filed against the contractor. A history of complaints is a warning sign even if the license is currently active.
• Better Business Bureau — check the BBB for customer complaints, reviews, and the company's rating.
• References— ask for at least three recent references from completed projects similar to yours. Call them and ask about quality, timeliness, communication, and whether the final cost matched the estimate.
• Written contract— get everything in writing before work begins. The contract should include scope of work, payment schedule, project timeline, materials specifications, and the contractor's license number.

What if I can't find the contractor in South Carolina's system?

First check whether you searched the wrong license type — a residential specialty contractor will not appear under CLB contractor results. Also try the owner's personal name or a shortened business name. If the project value exceeds the licensing thresholds and the contractor is genuinely absent from all relevant databases, do not hire them. You can report suspected unlicensed activity to the LLR for investigation.

If your search on the LLR verification portal comes up empty, consider these possibilities:

• They're not licensed.If the project requires a license and they don't have one, do not hire them. Unlicensed contracting is illegal in South Carolina for work that exceeds the licensing thresholds.
• You're checking the wrong license type. A residential specialty contractor will not appear under CLB contractor results. Try searching under Residential Builder or Residential Specialty Contractor instead.
• The name doesn't match.Try searching by the owner's personal name or a shortened version of the business name. Some contractors register under a legal entity name that differs from their trade name.
• They hold an out-of-state license only. South Carolina does not have blanket reciprocity with other states. Out-of-state contractors generally must obtain a South Carolina license before performing work in the state.

If you believe someone is operating without the required license, you can file a complaint with the LLR. The department investigates unlicensed activity and can take enforcement action.

The bottom line

Verifying a contractor's license in South Carolina takes just a few minutes through the LLR verification portal. The key is knowing which licensing body to check: the Contractors' Licensing Board for general and mechanical contractors, or the Residential Builders Commission for residential builders and residential specialty contractors.

Confirm the license is Active, the group and subclassification match your project, and the financial limitation covers your budget. Then go beyond the license and verify insurance, bonding, and complaint history. A few minutes of due diligence before you sign a contract can save you from a much bigger problem down the road.