Do you need a license to be a carpenter in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina doesn't license carpenters as a trade. Contractors need a license from SC LLR Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board.
State license · By ChiselJobs Team · Updated
In short
South Carolina does not license carpenters, but builders and contractors need state credentials. The Residential Builders Commission licenses residential builders, who need one year of experience, and registers residential specialty contractors. The Contractor's Licensing Board licenses general contractors in Groups 1 through 5 by job size and requires two years of experience in the last five. Exams apply to both. A builder license costs $135 to apply and $220 to issue or renew; a general contractor license costs $350. Residential specialty contractors post a $5,000 surety bond on projects over $5,000. Military spouses with an active out-of-state license get expedited licensing.
Key facts
| Carpenter license | No |
| Licensing level | State |
| General contractor license | General Contractor (CLB, Groups 1-5 by job size) |
| Residential contractor license | Residential Builder |
| Home improvement registration | Residential Specialty Contractor registration |
| Carpentry classification | None |
| Exam | Yes |
| Experience | Residential builder 1 yr; CLB 2 yrs in last 5 |
| Fees | Builder: application $135, license $220, renewal $220; CLB license $350 |
| Bond / insurance | CLB: financial statement or bond by group (Group 1: $100,000 job limit) |
| Renewal | 2 years (CLB GC: Oct 31, even years) |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | SC LLR Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board |
Visit SC LLR Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board
Exam
| Exam provider | PSI (for Residential Builders Commission) |
| Questions | Residential home builder technical: 110 |
| Passing score | 70% |
Residential Builders Commission exam page: home builder technical exam 110 multiple-choice questions, 70% to pass; business exam also required.
- Source: llr.sc.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Bond and insurance
| Bond minimum | $5,000 (residential specialty, projects over $5,000) |
Residential specialty contractors submit a $5,000 surety bond when a project (labor and materials) exceeds $5,000.
- Source: llr.sc.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Military and out-of-state licenses
| Military spouses | Expedited licensure for spouses of active-duty members stationed in SC who hold an active good-standing out-of-state license |
- Source: llr.sc.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (no state agency) |
Programs register through the Office of Apprenticeship; use the Partner Finder for local sponsors.
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Building code
| Code in force | IRC 2021; IBC 2021 (with state modifications) |
| Next edition | IRC 2024; IBC 2024, Jan 1, 2027 |
2021 South Carolina Building Codes effective Jan 1, 2023, mandatory in all municipalities and counties.
- Source: llr.sc.gov · checked November 5, 2026
- Source: llr.sc.gov · checked November 5, 2026