South Carolina Roofing License Requirements (2026)

South Carolina licenses roofing contractors through two separate boards under the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). The SC Contractor's Licensing Board (SCCLB) issues the Specialty Contractor — Roofing classification under Title 40 Chapter 11 for any commercial roofing project over $5,000. The SC Residential Builders Commission (SCRBC) issues the Residential Specialty Contractor — Roofing license for residential roofing under Title 40 Chapter 59. Both require the PSI trade exam, the SC Business Management and Law exam, and a financial statement. Five financial groups (I–V) tie to maximum project value, with Group V unlimited.

Regulatory Body Profile

Authority over this credential rests with South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (SCCLB), which issues and polices it 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 threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. No SC residency requirement.

Good moral character

SCCLB and SCRBC review fraud and construction-related offenses.

Background investigation

Disclosure on application.

Experience and Education Standards

The sources cited here stop short of naming a year requirement; the operative standard is no statutory minimum experience; the trade exam and financial statement are gating.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Project list for the qualifying party
Reference letters

Education substitution

Not applicable.

The Exam Syllabus

PSI Services LLC administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

SC Roofing Specialty Trade Exam — IBC Chapter 15, NRCA practices, hot-mop fire safety — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%
SC Business Management and Law Exam — 50 questions, 150 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $95 per exam paid to PSI.

Retake policy: Failed exams retaken at $95; application valid one year.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

LLR does not set a minimum but municipal permits typically require $500,000–$1,000,000 GL.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory for every SC employer with four or more employees under §42-1-360. Construction subcontractors must be covered or carry their own.

Additional financial requirements

Reviewed or audited financial statement showing minimum net worth: Group I $0, Group II $10,000, Group III $25,000, Group IV $50,000, Group V $100,000. Surety bond may substitute.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$80
Examination	$190
Initial license	$110
Renewal (every 2 years)	$110

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The South Carolina Specialty Contractor — Roofing (SCCLB) / Residential Specialty (SCRBC) runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $110. Biennial renewal.

Continuing education: No state CE for SCCLB Specialty. SCRBC requires occasional CE per board rule.

Downloadable Asset

2026 South Carolina Roofing 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 recognizes the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
North Carolina	Trade exam waived	Bilateral SCCLB–NCLBGC endorsement.
Georgia	Trade exam waived	Bilateral SCCLB–GA SLBGC endorsement.
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Bilateral SCCLB–TBLC endorsement.

NASCLA accreditation waives the trade exam. Business and Law never waived.

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

The Application Roadmap

Decide commercial (SCCLB) vs residential (SCRBC). Commercial >$5K requires SCCLB Specialty Contractor; residential requires SCRBC Residential Specialty.
Designate the qualifying party (QP). QP must be a bona-fide officer or employee.
Pick the financial group (I–V). Group ties to max project value and required net worth.
Pass the PSI Roofing trade and Business and Law exams. 70% on each.
Submit reviewed or audited financial statement. Showing required net worth for the chosen group.
Submit the SCCLB or SCRBC application. $80 application fee plus group-tier license fee.
Bind general liability and workers compensation. Workers comp mandatory at four employees under §42-1-360.
Receive license and renew biennially. SCCLB renewal every two years; SCRBC renewal every two years.

Pre-Application Checklist

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

☐ SCCLB or SCRBC application + $80
☐ Reviewed or audited financial statement matching group
☐ PSI Roofing trade pass certificate (70%+)
☐ PSI Business and Law pass certificate (70%+)
☐ General liability certificate of insurance
☐ SC workers compensation declaration page (4+ employees)

Where Applications Stall

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

Coastal high-wind fastening

SC coastal counties (Beaufort, Charleston, Horry, Georgetown) enforce ASCE 7 wind loads. Six-nail patterns and ring-shank fasteners required.

Hurricane secondary water barrier

Coastal reroofs require self-adhering underlayment. Standard felt fails post-storm inspections.

Working under the $5K commercial threshold

SCCLB exempts only commercial projects under $5K. Bidding $7K commercial without a license is unlicensed contracting.

Confusing SCCLB with SCRBC

Commercial roofing requires SCCLB; residential roofing requires SCRBC. Holding only one and working the other is unlicensed contracting.

OSHA fall protection

SC OSH plan enforces fall protection at six feet with state penalties. Aggressive inspection on residential reroof sites.

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 Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI Services. Exam source list.
SC Code Title 40 Chapter 11 (Commercial) and Chapter 59 (Residential) — State of South Carolina. Licensing law.
SC Building Codes Council — IBC adoption with high-wind amendments — SC LLR. Roof assembly and coastal amendments.

Other South Carolina Trade Licenses

For a different South Carolina credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Common Questions

What is the South Carolina commercial roofing threshold?

$5,000. Commercial roofing projects over $5,000 require the SCCLB Specialty Contractor — Roofing classification under Title 40 Chapter 11.

Does SC have a separate residential roofing license?

Yes. The SC Residential Builders Commission (SCRBC) under Title 40 Chapter 59 issues the Residential Specialty Contractor — Roofing license for residential work.

What are the financial groups?

Group I $0 net worth (≤$100K projects), Group II $10K, Group III $25K, Group IV $50K, Group V $100K (unlimited). CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement required.

Does SC accept NASCLA?

Yes for the trade exam. Business and Law never waived.

When does the license renew?

SCCLB and SCRBC both renew every two years.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-30 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-28