South Carolina Landscaping Contractor License Requirements (2026)

South Carolina requires a Specialty Contractor license from the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Contractors Licensing Board for any landscape contracting work valued at $5,000 or more under S.C. Code §40-11. The trade exam is required for the landscaping classification. Any commercial pesticide application additionally requires a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license from Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) under S.C. Code §46-13. Coastal landscape work falls under SCDHEC Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) jurisdiction.

Regulatory Body Profile

Licensing for this trade is governed by South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (SCCLB), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under South Carolina Code of Laws Title 40 Chapter 11 (Contractor's Licensing Act). The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board sits within the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) and licenses general and building contractors statewide. The Board administers Title 40 Chapter 11, sets financial group limits (Group I–V), approves PSI examinations, and conducts disciplinary proceedings.

Official portal: https://www.llr.sc.gov/contractors/
Address: Synergy Business Park, Kingstree Building, 110 Centerview Drive, Columbia, SC 29210
Phone: (803) 896-4686

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No residency requirement.

Good moral character

LLR reviews fitness for the Specialty Contractor license.

Background investigation

Required disclosure on the LLR application.

Experience and Education Standards

Rather than a set number of years, the cited materials define eligibility through No specific years required, but applicants must demonstrate competency through the LLR trade exam. DPR Commercial Applicator requires the Core (General Standards) exam plus the appropriate category exam (Category 3 — Ornamental and Turf)..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

LLR application + trade exam pass + DPR Commercial Applicator application with exam pass slips

Education substitution

Clemson Cooperative Extension training counts toward DPR continuing education.

The Exam Syllabus

The exam, administered by PSI Services LLC (under contract to LLR) for trade exam; Clemson DPR for pesticide exams, breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

LLR Landscaping Specialty Contractor trade exam — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%
DPR Core (General Standards) exam — 50 questions, 90 minutes, passing score 70%
DPR Category 3 — Ornamental and Turf — 50 questions, 90 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $80 LLR application + $80 PSI exam fee + $30 per DPR exam + $40 DPR Commercial Applicator certification.

Retake policy: Failed PSI exams may be retaken every 14 days; DPR exams retakable after 14 days.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

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

LLR does not impose a state minimum, but commercial clients commonly require $300,000 / $1,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory under S.C. Code §42-1-360 for any employer with four or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

Required for LLR Specialty Contractor — must show net worth.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$80
Examination	$140
Initial license	$80
Renewal (every 2 years)	$80

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The South Carolina Specialty Landscaping Contractor (LLR) + DPR Commercial Pesticide Applicator runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $80. LLR Specialty Contractor renews every two years on October 31. DPR Commercial Applicator renews annually on June 30.

Continuing education: No CE for LLR Specialty Contractor renewal. DPR Commercial Applicator: 5 CEU hours per year, OR re-examination.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, South Carolina does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
North Carolina	Limited reciprocity	Case-by-case review with NCLCLB.
Georgia	Not available	Georgia does not license landscape contractors at the state level.

No formal LLR reciprocity. DPR pesticide credentials may be granted reciprocally.

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

The Application Roadmap

Document landscape contracting experience. For LLR Specialty Contractor application.
Submit LLR Specialty Contractor application with $80 fee. Include financial statement.
Pass the PSI Landscaping trade exam at 70%. Plant ID, installation, irrigation, SC business law.
Secure liability insurance. Recommended minimum $300,000.
Pass the Clemson DPR Core exam at 70%. Required baseline.
Pass DPR Category 3 — Ornamental and Turf. Landscape pesticide category.
Apply for DPR Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification. Submit application, pass slips, and $40 fee.
Comply with OCRM (coastal) and workers comp. Coastal work requires SCDHEC permits.

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a South Carolina Landscaping application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Operating without LLR license over $5,000

S.C. Code §40-11-360 makes unlicensed contracting a misdemeanor; contracts are unenforceable.

Spraying without DPR certification

Civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation under S.C. Code §46-13-100.

OCRM violations in coastal counties

SCDHEC enforces coastal rules aggressively; unpermitted work triggers restoration orders.

Coastal nitrogen runoff

Coastal counties enforce nitrogen restrictions; non-compliance triggers SCDHEC fines.

Backflow violations on irrigation

SC plumbing code requires annual backflow testing on every potable irrigation tie-in.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to SCCLB:

☐ LLR Specialty Contractor application
☐ Financial statement
☐ PSI Landscaping trade exam pass at 70%+
☐ Liability insurance
☐ DPR Core exam pass certificate
☐ DPR Category 3 exam pass
☐ DPR Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification
☐ OCRM compliance (coastal counties)
☐ Workers compensation (4+ employees)

Recommended Study Materials

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

SC Landscaping Specialty Contractor Reference Bibliography — PSI / LLR. Official references for the LLR trade exam.
South Carolina Pesticide Applicator Core Manual — Clemson Extension. Required for the DPR Core exam.
Ornamental and Turf Pest Management — Clemson Extension. Category 3 study guide.

Other South Carolina Trade Licenses

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

Common Questions

When is the LLR license required?

For any landscape contracting work valued at $5,000 or more. Below that threshold, no LLR license is required.

Do I need DPR certification?

Yes, for any commercial pesticide application. Clemson DPR administers all pesticide licensing in South Carolina.

When do I need an OCRM permit?

For any landscape work in the eight coastal counties within OCRM jurisdiction. Vegetation removal, grading, and fill near tidal waters all trigger OCRM review.

Are there fertilizer restrictions?

Yes. Coastal counties restrict nitrogen fertilizer to address nutrient runoff into estuaries.

How often does the LLR license renew?

Every two years on October 31. DPR Commercial Applicator renews annually.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-04-18 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-17