Residential Builder License
Individuals interested in becoming a Licensed Residential Builder in South Carolina must meet the specific application, experience, and examination requirements as established by the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission. These requirements ensure that all Builders possess the practical experience and professional competence necessary to protect the public and uphold the standards of the profession.
A Residential Builder is one who constructs, superintends, or offers to construct or superintend the construction, repair, improvement, or reimprovement of a residential building or structure which is not over three floors in height and which does not have more than sixteen units in any single apartment building, when the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars. Anyone who engages or offers to engage in such undertaking in this State is considered to have engaged in the business of residential building.
A General or Mechanical Contractor's license is required for anyone performing regulated commercial construction over $10,000. If you would like to perform work that exceeds the "residential builder" requirements above, please see the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board for more information.
Individuals seeking to obtain licensure by taking the SC Residential Builder exam must first apply for licensure through the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission. Applicants must complete and submit the appropriate application, with all required documentation and fees, to the Commission. Once received, the Commission will review the application to determine exam eligibility.
Work experience must be verified and approved before you are made eligible for the exam. If approved, additional information about examination eligibility and completing the post exam application process will be sent to all approved applicants. Applicants should ensure their email address on file with the Commission is current to receive all notifications.
Individuals seeking to obtain licensure by exam waiver must first complete and submit the appropriate application, with all required documentation and fees, to the Commission. Once received, the Commission will review the application to determine eligibility.
The Residential Builder license may be obtained without the required technical portion of the examination if the applicant meets one of the requirements below. The work experience requirements and the Business Management and Law portion of the exam remain applicable:
- Is a currently licensed SC General Contractor with either the Building (BD) classification or Limited Building (LB) classification. General Contractor applicants must have a license in good standing that has been active for one year or longer and was obtained by examination. Commission staff will verify this information internally as part of the application process.
- Has a current license in the eligible state that must have been obtained by examination for one year or longer. Grandfathered licensees do not qualify for an exam waiver. A Verification of Licensure should be sent directly to the SC Residential Builders Commission via mail or email from the issuing state.
- Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina
- Has passed the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam within the past 3 years. A copy of your exam transcript should be included with your application.
A Residential Builder who receives their license by technical exam waiver is not qualified to perform work in the mechanical trades and will have a limited license (Residential Builder Exam Waiver) issued. Residential Builder Exam Waiver licensees must subcontract with an appropriately licensed person or company to perform any of the mechanical trades on a project. To perform the mechanical trades, you must apply for licensure by examination.
Individuals seeking to reinstate a lapsed or expired Residential Builder license in South Carolina must meet all requirements set by the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission.
If you have a license that has been lapsed for less than three years, you must apply for reinstatement. If your license has been lapsed for more than three years, you will need to apply for a license as a new applicant, which requires re-examination.
| Residential Builder License (RBB) Fees | |
| Fee Type | Current Fee Amount |
| Application Fee | $135 |
| License Fee | $220 |
| Renewal Fee | $220 |
| Renewal Late Fee | $50 |
| Reinstatement Fee | $480 |