South Carolina Plumbing License Requirements
South Carolina doesn't license individual plumbers. Plumbing contractors need a state license from the SC LLR Residential Builders Commission and the Contractor's Licensing Board. Some cities license plumbers.
Contractor only · By BrazeJobs Team · Updated
License tiers
| Apprentice | No state license |
| Journeyman | No state license; some cities |
| Master | No state license |
| Contractor | Residential Plumbing (RBC); commercial Mechanical-Plumbing (CLB) |
Requirements
| Contractor experience | Residential 1 year; commercial 2 years in last 5 |
| Exam | PSI exams |
| Fees | CLB license $350 |
| Renewal | 2 years |
| Local license | Workers may need local license |
| Board | SC LLR Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board |
Local licenses in South Carolina
Columbia
CityCity business license (with state LLR license)
Columbia Planning and Development Services
Permit contractor qualifications checklist (rev. Apr 2026): copy of SC LLR license and current City of Columbia business license. No city competency license.
- Source: planninganddevelopment.columbiasc.gov · checked November 5, 2026
Exam
| Exam provider | PSI (for Contractor's Licensing Board) |
| Format | Open book |
| Questions | Plumber (contractor): 80 |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Bulletin date | 2025-01-17 |
SC Contractor's Licensing Board bulletin (PSI, updated Jan 17, 2025): open book; 70% (e.g. 56 of 80). Contractor license exams; general exam time 4 hours stated for at least one exam.
- Source: proctor2.psionline.com · checked November 6, 2026
Licensed in another state or the military
| 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