Plumber licenses in
South Carolina
South Carolina licenses plumbers 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 a plumber's card, bid or truck:
- Residential plumber (residential specialty contractor license)
- Individual licensed by exam for residential plumbing work over $500 on homes up to three floors.
- Mechanical contractor, Plumbing subclassification
- Business licensed by the Contractor's Licensing Board for plumbing work over $10,000, mainly commercial.
Hiring a company, not a person?
Residential plumbing work over $500 needs a Residential Builders Commission specialty license; plumbing work over $10,000 needs a Contractor's Licensing Board mechanical contractor license with the Plumbing 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 a plumber (opens official site)
Keep this handy
We'll email you the one-page before-you-hire checklist, plus occasional tips on hiring safely.