HVAC licenses in
South Carolina
South Carolina licenses HVAC contractors statewide.
Official search run by South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (LLR) at verify.llronline.com.
What the license should say
In South Carolina you'll see one of these on an HVAC contractor's card, bid or truck:
- HVAC installer and repairer (residential specialty contractor license)
- Individual licensed by exam for residential heating and air conditioning work over $500.
- Mechanical contractor, Heating, Air Conditioning or Refrigeration subclassification
- Business licensed by the Contractor's Licensing Board for HVAC work over $10,000, mainly commercial.
Hiring a company, not a person?
Residential HVAC work over $500 needs a Residential Builders Commission specialty license; HVAC work over $10,000 needs a Contractor's Licensing Board mechanical contractor license with the Heating, Air Conditioning or Refrigeration subclassification, and CLB licensees are searched at https://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/Contractors/Contractor.aspx?div=69 rather than the Residential Builders Commission lookup.
Doing it yourself
SC Code 40-59-260 exempts an owner doing work on a residence for the owner's or family's sole occupancy, not for sale or rent, who signs the permit application and files a notice with the register of deeds.
Before you hire
- Contractor licensing in South Carolina (small-job limits, bonds, permits)
- How to check a license in South Carolina, step by step
- Before-you-hire checklist (one page, free PDF)
- File a complaint about an HVAC contractor (opens official site)
Keep this handy
We'll email you the one-page before-you-hire checklist, plus occasional tips on hiring safely.