South Carolina HVAC License Requirements (2026)

South Carolina licenses HVAC, refrigeration, packaged equipment, and fuel gas piping contractors through the South Carolina Mechanical Contractors Licensing Board (SCMCB) under SC Code Title 40 Chapter 11 Article 3. Any mechanical work valued at $5,000 or more requires an SCMCB license. The Board issues separate classifications for Heating (HT), Air Conditioning (AC), Refrigeration (RF), Packaged Equipment, and Fuel Gas Piping — applicants may combine classifications on one license. The qualifying party must have at least three years of practical experience (five years for unrestricted mechanical), pass the PSI trade exam and SC Business Management and Law exam at 70%, and submit a financial statement matching one of five monetary groups.

The Licensing Authority

Authority over this credential rests with South Carolina Mechanical Contractors Licensing Board (SCMCB), which issues and polices it under South Carolina Code of Laws Title 40 Chapter 11 Article 3 (Mechanical Contractors). The South Carolina Mechanical Contractors Licensing Board, also under LLR, licenses HVAC, refrigeration, packaged equipment, gas (fuel piping), plumbing, and electrical contractors. The board is separate from the general Contractor's Licensing Board and uses its own exams, classifications, and financial groups.

Official portal: https://www.llr.sc.gov/mech/
Address: Synergy Business Park, Kingstree Building, 110 Centerview Drive, Columbia, SC 29210
Phone: (803) 896-4696

Baseline Eligibility

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No South Carolina residency requirement; out-of-state entities must designate an SC registered agent.

Good moral character

The SCMCB reviews moral character on every qualifying party. Felonies and prior license revocations are evaluated individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Disqualifying conditions

Contracting without a license in any state
Felony theft, fraud, or financial crimes within the past ten years
Prior mechanical license revocation by another jurisdiction
EPA Section 608 refrigerant handling violations

Experience and Education Requirements

A minimum of three years of practical mechanical construction experience for restricted classifications (HT, AC, RF individually); five years for unrestricted mechanical contractor covering all classifications must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

SCMCB Experience Verification Form signed by each prior employer
W-2 statements, 1099 records, or payroll documentation covering the qualifying period
Project list with addresses, tonnage or BTU capacity, and owner contact information
EPA Section 608 Universal certification for refrigerant handling
Approved HVAC apprenticeship completion certificate (where applicable)

Education substitution

An accredited HVAC technology or mechanical engineering degree may substitute for up to one year of the experience requirement at Board discretion.

The Licensing Examination

PSI Services LLC under contract to SC LLR administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

SC Business Management and Law Examination — 50 questions, 140 minutes, passing score 70%
PSI SC Mechanical Contractor Trade Examination — International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, SC mechanical rules — 100 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $110 per PSI exam part paid on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken individually after a 30-day waiting period by paying a new $110 fee. Applications remain valid for one year.

Financial Security and Insurance

There is no statewide surety bond tied to this credential in the cited record. Bonding can still surface at the project level — permit, license, or public-works bonds — so check before you bid.

General liability

SCMCB does not impose a state-level general liability minimum. Most commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory in South Carolina under SC Code Title 42 for any business with four or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

Required for every applicant and tied to the requested group: Group I up to $100,000, Group II up to $200,000, Group III up to $700,000, Group IV up to $1,500,000, Group V unlimited. CPA-reviewed for Groups II–III; audited for Groups IV–V.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$200
Examination	$220
Initial license	$200
Renewal (every 2 years)	$200

License Renewal

The South Carolina Mechanical Contractor License — HVAC/Refrigeration (SCMCB) must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $200. South Carolina mechanical contractor licenses renew on a two-year cycle.

Continuing education: No continuing education required for SCMCB mechanical contractors at this time.

Downloadable Asset

2026 South Carolina HVAC License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

South Carolina grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
North Carolina	Trade exam waived	Bilateral SCMCB–NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors reciprocity for active H-1, H-2, or H-3 license holders in good standing.
Georgia	Trade exam waived	Bilateral SCMCB–Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board reciprocity for active Class I or Class II conditioned air contractors.
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Bilateral SCMCB–Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors reciprocity for active HVAC or mechanical contractors at equivalent monetary classification.

The SCMCB does not accept the NASCLA examination for mechanical contractors. The SC Business Management and Law exam is always required. EPA Section 608 Universal certification is required separately for refrigerant handling regardless of reciprocity.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares HVAC license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Licensing Roadmap

Choose the classification. Heating (HT), Air Conditioning (AC), Refrigeration (RF), Packaged Equipment, Fuel Gas Piping, or unrestricted Mechanical. Classifications may be combined.
Document the qualifying party experience. Three years for restricted classifications; five years for unrestricted mechanical.
Obtain EPA Section 608 certification. Universal certification is required for any work involving refrigerant handling.
Choose the financial group. Group I up to $100,000 per project through Group V unlimited.
Submit the SCMCB application. File with application fee, qualifying party designation, experience documentation, EPA 608 proof, and financial statement.
Pass the PSI examinations at 70%. Both the SC Business Management and Law exam and the mechanical trade exam must be passed at 70% or better.
Receive the SCMCB license. The Board issues the license after exams and documentation are complete. Licenses renew every two years.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Ahead of submission to SCMCB, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ SCMCB application with $200 fee and qualifying party designation
☐ Experience verification (three years restricted, five years unrestricted)
☐ EPA Section 608 Universal certification
☐ Financial statement matching the requested group
☐ PSI SC Business Management and Law exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ PSI SC Mechanical Contractor trade exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ Workers' compensation certificate for any business with four or more employees

Common Application Pitfalls

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost South Carolina HVAC applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Filing with the wrong board

HVAC and mechanical contractors file with the SCMCB, not the general Contractor's Licensing Board. Applications submitted to the wrong board are rejected.

Skipping EPA Section 608

Federal law requires EPA 608 Universal certification for any refrigerant handling. SCMCB will not issue a Refrigeration or Air Conditioning classification without proof of EPA 608.

Misjudging restricted vs unrestricted experience

Three years covers restricted classifications (HT, AC, RF individually). Unrestricted mechanical requires five years across all scopes; mixing short stints does not satisfy the unrestricted requirement.

Studying the wrong code edition

South Carolina adopts the IMC and IFGC on a delayed cycle. Confirm the current adopted editions with the SCMCB before purchasing study materials.

Choosing the wrong financial group

Operating outside the monetary limit of your group triggers disciplinary action. Upgrading requires a new financial statement and Board approval.

Preparation Resources

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code (SC-adopted editions) — International Code Council. Primary technical references. Open-book at the PSI test center.
NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — South Carolina edition — NASCLA. Primary reference for the SC Business Management and Law exam.
HVAC Licensing Study Guide — McGraw-Hill. Covers IMC calculations, load sizing, and duct design common to SC trade exam questions.

Other South Carolina Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these South Carolina licensing guides:

Answers to Common Questions

When do I need a South Carolina HVAC contractor license?

Any mechanical or HVAC work valued at $5,000 or more requires an SCMCB license under SC Code §40-11-20. Below that threshold, local building code and permitting still apply.

What HVAC classifications does South Carolina issue?

Heating (HT), Air Conditioning (AC), Refrigeration (RF), Packaged Equipment, and Fuel Gas Piping. Contractors may combine classifications on a single license or apply for an unrestricted Mechanical Contractor license.

Do I need EPA Section 608 certification in South Carolina?

Yes, federally. Any contractor handling refrigerants must hold a valid EPA Section 608 Universal certification regardless of SCMCB licensure.

Which states reciprocate HVAC licenses with South Carolina?

North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee maintain bilateral SCMCB reciprocity for active HVAC or mechanical contractors in good standing. The SC Business Management and Law exam is always required.

How often does the South Carolina HVAC contractor license renew?

Every two years on the SCMCB renewal cycle. There is no continuing education requirement at this time.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-07 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-05