American Trades IndexThe living record of the skilled trade workforce
This page is a free snapshot. Track the same market as it changes, every night: new licenses, contractors adding a trade, and companies going dark.Start tracking

How to get a plumber license in South Carolina

Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority — sourced from South Carolina's official board.

South Carolina has no single statewide journeyman/master plumber license; 'Master Plumber' credentials are issued locally (e.g., via the Municipal Association of SC). State roles split between the Residential Builders Commission and the Contractor's Licensing Board, both under LLR.

Issuing authority: South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR): Residential Builders Commission (residential plumbing) and Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial mechanical/plumbing). Official page: https://llr.sc.gov/clb/

License levels in South Carolina

South Carolina plumber licensing at a glance

RequirementsResidential plumbing (specialty): submit application with $135 fee, proof of experience (W-2s/1099s/transcripts, employer affidavit of ~1 year experience), credit report, and pass a technical exam (65 questions, 67.7% passing). Commercial plumbing/mechanical: license through the Contractor's Licensing Board (financial statement plus exam per classification and monetary limits). Waiver available: residential specialty may be obtained without exam if already a licensed SC Commercial Mechanical Contractor in the field, or holding a Master License issued by exam from the Municipal Association of SC.
ReciprocityNot detailed on the fetched pages; handled per board.
RenewalLLR licenses renew on a periodic (commonly biennial) cycle per board rules; confirm with the specific board.
NotesSouth Carolina has no single statewide journeyman/master plumber license; 'Master Plumber' credentials are issued locally (e.g., via the Municipal Association of SC). State roles split between the Residential Builders Commission and the Contractor's Licensing Board, both under LLR.

Questions

Do you need a license to work as a plumber in South Carolina?
South Carolina has no single statewide journeyman/master plumber license; 'Master Plumber' credentials are issued locally (e.g., via the Municipal Association of SC). State roles split between the Residential Builders Commission and the Contractor's Licensing Board, both under LLR.
What plumber license levels does South Carolina have?
The levels are Residential Specialty - Plumbing (Residential Builders Commission), Commercial Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing classification (Contractor's Licensing Board).
How do you get licensed as a plumber in South Carolina?
Residential plumbing (specialty): submit application with $135 fee, proof of experience (W-2s/1099s/transcripts, employer affidavit of ~1 year experience), credit report, and pass a technical exam (65 questions, 67.7% passing). Commercial plumbing/mechanical: license through the Contractor's Licensing Board (financial statement plus exam per classification and monetary limits). Waiver available: residential specialty may be obtained without exam if already a licensed SC Commercial Mechanical Contractor in the field, or holding a Master License issued by exam from the Municipal Association of SC.
Does South Carolina have plumber license reciprocity?
Not detailed on the fetched pages; handled per board.

Related

Browse
All states and trades

Sources: llr.sc.gov · llr.sc.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.

Track South Carolina licensed supply as it moves.

New licenses, ladder upgrades, classification changes and lapses, by market and credential tier. Read the quarterly free, or license the underlying data.

Get the quarterly IndexSee data plansQuarterly is free, no account. One state $500/month, every state $2,900/month.