South Carolina Masonry Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Contractors Licensing Board issues a Masonry Specialty Contractor classification under S.C. Code §40-11. The Masonry specialty covers brick, block, stone, structural, and veneer masonry. Any commercial masonry work valued at $5,000 or more triggers the license requirement; residential thresholds vary by classification (Residential Specialty $200, Residential Builder $5,000). Applicants must pass the PSI Business Management and Law exam plus the PSI Masonry trade exam, submit a CPA-prepared financial statement determining the bid limit, and provide proof of GL and workers comp. This page documents the verified path including the bid limit, hurricane wind detailing, OSHA silica enforcement, and TMS 402 / IBC Chapter 21 compliance.

Governing Authority

Under South Carolina Code of Laws Title 40 Chapter 11 (Contractor's Licensing Act), South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (SCCLB) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. 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

Eligibility Requirements

At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No South Carolina residency requirement; out-of-state qualifying parties accepted.

Good moral character

SC LLR reviews prior license discipline and consumer complaints. Felonies relating to fraud may bar issuance.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience & Education Matrix

There is no published year count for this credential in the cited sources. What actually controls eligibility is No formal years requirement, but the qualifying party must demonstrate competency on the PSI Masonry trade exam covering brick, block, stone, anchored veneer, mortar, and TMS 402..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Optional: project list and signed letters from prior employers
Required for bonding and insurance underwriting

Examination Structure

Examinations are administered by PSI Services LLC under contract to SC LLR. The applicant must pass the following examination parts before the license can issue:

SC Business Management and Law Examination — 110 questions, 285 minutes, passing score 70%
SC Masonry Trade Examination — TMS 402/602, IBC Chapter 21, anchored veneer, hurricane detailing — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $110 per PSI exam section ($220 total).

Retake policy: Failed sections may be retaken after 30 days with a new $110 fee.

Insurance & Financial Security

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

No SC LLR GL minimum, but most owners require $1,000,000 per occurrence GL.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under S.C. Code §42-1-130 for any South Carolina employer with four or more employees. Masonry NCCI 5022 carries one of the highest manual rates in South Carolina.

Additional financial requirements

SC LLR requires a CPA-prepared financial statement determining the bid limit (Group I ≤$200K, Group II ≤$500K, Group III ≤$1.5M, Group IV ≤$5M, Group V unlimited).

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$130
Examination	$220
Initial license	$130
Renewal (every 2 years)	$130

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the South Carolina Masonry Specialty Contractor License — SC LLR Contractors Licensing Board every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $130. SC LLR licenses renew every two years. Maintain CPA financial statement for bid group, plus insurance.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

South Carolina does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
North Carolina	Trade exam waiver	Bilateral SC LLR–NCLBGC waiver for active masonry classifications.
Georgia	Trade exam waiver	Bilateral SC LLR–GA SLBGC waiver where applicable.

South Carolina waives the trade exam (not the business and law exam) for qualifying parties with active reciprocal masonry licenses in NC and GA.

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

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Document masonry experience for underwriting. Compile project list and prior employer letters for bonding and insurance.
Pass the PSI SC Business Management and Law exam. Score 70% or better on the 110-question business and law exam.
Pass the PSI Masonry trade exam. Score 70% or better on the 80-question Masonry trade exam covering TMS 402 and IBC Chapter 21.
Prepare CPA financial statement and select bid group. CPA-prepared financial statement establishing working capital for Group I-V bid limit.
Bind GL and workers compensation. Bind GL ($1M+ practical) and workers comp for any employees.
Submit SC LLR Masonry Specialty application. File the application with $130 fee, financial statement, exam scores, and insurance certificates.
Pull project permits at the AHJ. Local code officials issue permits per the South Carolina Building Code (2018 IBC with SC amendments) including the SC High Wind Zone provisions for coastal counties.
Implement OSHA silica program. Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in South Carolina; SC OSHA covers state and local government. Written exposure control plan and Table 1 controls are mandatory.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with SCCLB:

☐ South Carolina Secretary of State entity registration
☐ PSI SC Business Management and Law exam pass certificate (70%+)
☐ PSI Masonry trade exam pass certificate (70%+)
☐ CPA financial statement with bid group
☐ GL and workers compensation certificates
☐ SC LLR Masonry Specialty application
☐ OSHA silica written exposure control plan

Study and Reference Materials

The references below are either cited by the board, used during the application, or standard preparation for the trade. They are listed purely for convenience — CLR earns no commission on any of them.

SC LLR Reference Manual for Masonry Contractors — South Carolina LLR Contractors Licensing Board. Required reference for the SC business and law and Masonry trade exams.
TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures — The Masonry Society. Adopted by reference under IBC Chapter 21.
South Carolina Building Code (2018 IBC with SC amendments) — SC Building Codes Council. Includes Chapter 21 masonry and SC High Wind Zone coastal provisions.

Common Filing Mistakes

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a South Carolina Masonry application.

Working over bid group

Taking a project above the SC LLR-set bid group triggers immediate license discipline. Request bid group increase via amended financial statement.

Coastal hurricane detailing missed

SC eight coastal counties require SC High Wind Zone anchored veneer tie spacing per TMS 402; Charleston and Myrtle Beach inspectors fail jobs without proper embedment.

Subcontractor working without license

Masonry contractors performing $5,000+ commercial work without an active SC LLR license face misdemeanor charges and lien rights loss under S.C. Code §40-11-370.

CPA financial statement rejected

SC LLR rejects self-prepared statements. Only CPA-prepared statements satisfy the bid group requirement.

Silica plan absent

OSHA targets Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville masonry sites; missing 29 CFR 1926.1153(g) plans draw immediate citations.

Other South Carolina Trade Licenses

CLR covers other South Carolina trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does South Carolina have a dedicated masonry classification?

Yes. SC LLR Contractors Licensing Board issues a Masonry Specialty classification under S.C. Code §40-11.

What is the bid group?

A monetary cap on individual project value: Group I ≤$200K, II ≤$500K, III ≤$1.5M, IV ≤$5M, V unlimited. Set by CPA financial statement.

What triggers the license requirement?

Commercial masonry of $5,000 or more triggers the license requirement under S.C. Code §40-11-20.

Are coastal hurricane requirements stricter?

Yes. The South Carolina Building Code includes SC High Wind Zone provisions for the eight coastal counties (Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper) requiring enhanced anchored veneer tie spacing.

Does South Carolina enforce OSHA silica?

Yes. Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in private sector. SC OSHA covers state and local government. Written exposure control plan is mandatory.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-02 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-31