South Carolina Handyman License: How to Get Certified as a Handyman in SC

Does a handyman need a license in South Carolina?

Yes, South Carolina requires handymen performing work valued over $10,000 to have a general contractor’s license. A license is not needed for handyman projects valued below $10,000.

The main difference between a handyman and a contractor is: 

As a handyman, you are able to complete small residential projects, like home repairs and maintenance without a license. If you want to take on bigger jobs that surpass the $10,000 value, you’ll need to become a licensed contractor.  

You can register for a general contractor’s license with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations Contractor Licensing Board (CLB).

By registering for this license, you are able to conduct the following types of handyman work with examples for each:

• Carpentry: Building or repairing shelves, furniture, or trim
• Drywalling: Patching holes, finishing walls, or replacing panels
• Wallpaper: Applying or removing wallpaper
• Painting: Touch-ups or full painting for interior or exterior surfaces
• Siding: Replacing or repairing siding
• Insulation: Adding or replacing insulation in walls or attics
• Flooring: Installing or repairing floors (laminate, vinyl, tiles, etc.)
• Masonry: Fixing bricks, stone, or mortar
• Concrete: Patching cracks, leveling, or pouring slabs
• Roofing: Fixing shingles, leaks, or other small issues
• Glass: Replacing broken window and door panes
• Water lines: Repairing leaks or unclogging drains
• Paving: Repairing driveways or installing pavers

Types of handyman licenses in South Carolina

Although a license isn’t always required to perform handyman services in South Carolina, if your work surpasses $10,000 in value, you will need a general contractor license.

General contractor licenses allow you to perform specific types of specialized or larger work across commercial and residential projects. You can register for these licenses through the Contractor Licensing Board. Here’s an overview of the general contractor license types that may apply to handymen in South Carolina:

South Carolina handyman license requirements

Now that you know what licenses you may need to work as a handyman, you need to understand the requirements to get each one. To qualify for a general or mechanical contractor license in South Carolina, you need to meet the following requirements:

You can view a comprehensive list of the regulations and requirements for SC general contractor license on the Contractor Licensing Board.

How do I get a handyman license in South Carolina?

The SThe South Carolina CLB outlines the necessary steps you must take to qualify for and become a licensed contractor: 

• Register as, or on behalf of, a legal business entity recognized in the state of South Carolina. This can include a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, LLC, or corporation.
• Determine whether your specialty requires an examination. If so, apply for licensure by examination through either the state’s vendor PSI or the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA), if applicable. 
• Schedule and pass the technical exam. Submit a completed general contractor application to the state board, including all application fees.

All physical forms can be sent to the CLB at the following addresses:

Forms can also be sent by email to [email protected] or by fax to (803) 896-4814.

South Carolina handyman license exam

To register as a contractor in South Carolina, you must pass the Business Management and Law Exam, as well as pass a technical exam for specialized work.

The Business Management and Law Exam includes 50 questions, must be completed in 2.5 hours, and has a minimum passing score of 35/50.

The Business Management and Law Exam and the technical exams for the general contractor licenses in South Carolina are handled by either the testing vendor PSI or, in some cases, by the NASCLA.

For more information on the specific questions of each general and mechanical contracting specialty, check out the PSI candidate bulletin.

Does my South Carolina handyman license work in any other states?

Reciprocal licenses allow certified contractors from certain states to apply directly for the equivalent license in South Carolina, saving them the time of going through the entire licensing process from scratch. 

The state of South Carolina currently reciprocates general contractor licenses with  Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania (Reading), Tennessee, Texas, the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC), and states participating in the NASCLA (National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies) program.

For handymen with licenses in good standing in these states, South Carolina allows for the waiving of the technical exam depending on the state and the applicant’s previous examinations. All applicants must still pass the Business Management and Law Exam.

You can learn more about the reciprocity agreements and qualifying exams here. For more information about applying for a reciprocal license in South Carolina, visit the Contractor’s Licensing Board’s website.

South Carolina handyman license costs

The cost of getting your South Carolina contractor license will vary depending on the number of licenses you wish to hold, but you can expect to pay at least $745 for initial licensing.

Here’s an overview of the fees associated with getting your contractor license:

What happens if my license expires? 

If you think your contractor license may be expired, the first thing you need to do is stop all your work valued over $10,000. Then, you can go to the CLB’s license look-up page to determine whether your license needs renewal. 

If it does, you can then visit the online license renewal portal.

Working without a contractor license on projects above $10,000 is a crime in the state of South Carolina; the state code outlines the penalties associated with working under an expired license: 

• $500 penalty for the first offense
• If you commit another offense within a 5-year period, you may face suspension, an additional financial penalty of $1,000 – $5,000, and even jail time.

South Carolina handyman license renewal

General contractor’s licenses are initially issued for a two-year period, with general licenses expiring on Oct 31st of even-numbered years.

If you miss the October 31st deadline, you will have to pay a late fee that starts at $100 and goes up by $50 each month from November to January. After 90 days, you will have to go through the entire process to reinstate your license.

To renew your South Carolina contractor license, you can visit CLB’s online license renewal portal.

Requirements for business owners

Once you’ve gained the necessary experience, submitted the applications, and passed the licensing exams to be a general or mechanical contractor in South Carolina, it’s time to take the next step towards securing your financial future—opening your own handyman business. 

But first, what exactly do you need to do to start a contractor business in South Carolina?

The South Carolina government has online resources that outline what business owners need to do to operate legally, including:

• Write a handyman business plan.
• Research local handyman license requirements.
• Get startup funding for your handyman business.
• Decide which handyman services to offer.
• Define your business’s ideal customers.
• Set prices for your handyman services.
• Register your handyman business.
• Get small business insurance.
• Start marketing your handyman services.
• Plan to offer amazing customer service.
• Hire other handymen as employees.

For an in-depth look at the ins and outs of starting your own handyman business—including getting your financing, buying equipment, and hiring staff—check out our comprehensive guide.

READ MORE: Best apps for handyman businesses

Does a handyman license in South Carolina increase your earning potential? 

While you don’t need a license to be a handyman in South Carolina, a general contractor license can increase your earning potential because you can take on bigger jobs valued at over $10,000.

Starting out as a handyman in South Carolina, you can expect to earn $40,000 per year. Over time, this can grow to well over $50,000 per year as you gain experience.

If you’re interested in learning more about this lucrative, flexible industry and what the financial prospects are across the country, check out our Essential Handyman Salary Guide and identify where you can put this in-demand skill set to use.