Electrical Contractors who want to work in a residential setting in the State of South Carolina are required to hold a license from the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Licenses are issued by the Department’s Residential Builders Commission.
As part of the licensing process, the Commission requires that contractors meet a minimum number of years of work experience, submit an application and pass a qualifying exam.
License Classifications for Electrical Contractors in South Carolina
The South Carolina Residential Builder’s Commission offers one license classification to Electrical Contractors:
- Residential Electrical Contractor License- this specialty license allows contractors to perform work on electrical projects in a residential setting.
*This article will focus on how to obtain a Residential Electrical Contractor License only.
Those who wish to work on electrical projects in the commercial or industrial field are required to obtain a Mechanical Contractor License with an Electrical Specialty (EL) from South Carolina’s Contractor Licensing Board. Contractors who obtain this license are assigned a group number, which limits the size of the projects on which they may work. For more information about obtaining this license type, please visit the Board’s website.
Other licensing options include, obtaining a Master Electrician License from the South Carolina Municipal Association (MASC). Please visit the Board’s website for more information to determine what type of license is required.
Process to Obtain an Electrical Contractor License in South Carolina
- Contractors are required to have a minimum of 1 year of work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician
- Contractors are required to submit an application to the Commission, along with all the required documents and fees in order to gain approval to take the exam.
- Contractors are required to take and pass a 2-part examination, administered by PSI Services
- Upon passing the exam, contractors are required to pay a licensing fee and obtain a surety bond if their projects are to exceed $5,000
- Contractors are required to renew their license every 2 years, on the odd-numbered year
Work Experience Requirement
In order to qualify to submit an application, all contractors are required to have a minimum of 1 year of work experience performing residential electrical work. In order to count toward the requirement, all work must:
- Have been performed under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician
- Be within the past 5 years
In order to prove work experience, all contractors are required to submit a letter, on the company letterhead of their employer, stating that they meet the requirement. This letter is to be submitted along with the contractor’s license application.
For more information about the work experience requirement, contact the Commission at:
803-896-4696
Preparing and Submitting an Application
In order to gain approval to take the examination, all contractors are required to submit an application to the Commission, along with the required documents and fees.
Applications may be obtained online or via mail, by calling the Commission at:
803-896-4696
Be sure to read all directions and follow the instructions when filling out the application. Please note that a complete application includes the following:
- Contractor’s Social Security Number- applications cannot be processed without this information
- Copy of the Contractor’s Social Security Card
- Copy of the Contractor’s Driver’s License, State ID or Passport
- Letter verifying the Contractor’s 1 year of work experience- on company letterhead
- Verification of Lawful Presence form- signed and notarized
- Electrician’s Affidavit form- signed and notarized
*Additionally, contractors are required to supply a written explanation for any questions they answer “yes” to in the General Information section of the application.
All contractors are also required to submit a $100 application processing fee along with their application. The Commission accepts payments in the form of a certified check or money order, made payable to “SCRBC.”
*There is an additional license fee which will be due at the time that the contractor passes the exam.
Be sure to sign and date the application. All signatures must be notarized.
Submit the application in-person or by mail to:
South Carolina Residential Builders Commission
110 Centerview Drive
P.O. Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211
The Commission is unable to process applications until they are 100% complete. Upon receipt, applications are usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. For convenience, the Commission offers a website where contractors may verify the status of their application online.
Once the contractor’s license application is approved, they will receive an exam eligibility letter, authorizing them to take the exam.
For questions about the application or the application process, please contact the Commission at:
803-896-4696
The Examination Process
Once the Commission approves the contractor’s license application, they will send an exam eligibility letter. This letter is good for a period of 1-year. Within that time, contractors have 3 attempts in which to take and pass the 2-part examination.
The Commission holds a contract with PSI Services LLC to administer the computer-based exam. The test consists of 2 portions, including:
- Business Management and Law Exam
- Residential Electrical Contractor Exam
The exam is designed to test the contractor’s knowledge and make sure they understand the principles, practices, statutes and regulations related to the electrical trade within the state.
The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin contains all the information needed to register for and prepare for the exam, including a copy of the exam registration form, sample test questions, content outlines of the material covered on each exam, a list of suggested references and study materials.
Applicants may register for the exam ONE of the following ways:
- Online– follow the link for new user registration
- By Phone- call PSI and use their automated system 24 hours a day. Representative are standing by to assist callers during regular business hours:
(800) 733-9267 - Fax- when registering by fax, allow 4 business days for processing. Fax the registration form and payment information to:
(702) 932-2666. - By mail: allow approximately 2 weeks for processing when submitting the exam registration form by mail. Complete the exam registration form from the Candidate Information Bulletin. Mail the registration form and payment to:
PSI Licensure: Certification
3210 E Tropicana
Las Vegas, NV 89121
The cost to take both portions of the exam is $90. To take only one portion of the exam, the cost is $75.
PSI accepts payments in the form of:
- Cashier’s Check or Money Order may payable to“PSI.”
- Visa or Mastercard when applying online or by phone or fax
Once PSI accepts the exam registration form, it is the applicant’s responsibility to call PSI to schedule their exam. To schedule an exam, call PSI at: (800) 733-9267
Testing Centers are located in:
- Greenville/Spartanburg
- Charleston
- Hilton Head/Beaufort
- Columbia
- Myrtle Beach
- Charlotte
On the day of the test, examinees should arrive at least 30 minutes for before their scheduled test to allow time for check-in. They are also required to bring 2 forms of identification, including:
- A government issued photo id with the examinee’s signature; such as a driver’s license or passport
- Another form of identification with the examinee’s name and signature; such as a credit card or debit card.
In order to pass the exam, contractors are required to achieve a score of at least 73.3%. Scores are issued same day before the contractor leaves the testing center.
If the contractor does not pass the exam within 3 attempts during the year, they must wait 12 months before they may register for and re-take the exam again.
Direct all questions about the examination process to PSI by calling:
800-773-9267
Additional Licensing Steps
Upon passing the exam, contractors are required to submit the following to the Commission in order to receive their license:
- Contractors must submit their passing exam results
- Contractors are required to pay a licensing fee in the form of a certified check or money order, made payable to, “SCRBC.” The license fee amount is $160 if the license will be issued more than 12 months before the next renewal date. If the license is issued 12 months or less before the next renewal date, the fee is pro-rated to $80.
- If the contractor plans to work on projects over $5,000, including labor and materials, they are required to submit an original surety bond in the amount of $10,000. The bond must be signed by the contractor with the power of attorney attached. Additionally, the bond must be in the contractor’s legal name, and not the name of the contractor’s business.
Once the contractor submits these items, the Commission will issue their license, authorizing them to begin working on residential electrical projects within the State of South Carolina.
For questions about the licensing fee, submitting exam results or the bond requirement, please contact the Commission at:
803-896-4696
How Long is a South Carolina Electrical Contractor License Valid?
Residential Electrical Contractor licenses are good for a period of 2 years in the State of South Carolina. Licenses expire every other year, on June 30th of the odd-numbered year.
The Commission offers online renewals for Residential Electrical Contractors.
The cost to renew a Residential Electrical Contractor license is $160. The Commission accepts payments in the form of certified check or money order, made payable to “LLR-SCRBC.” Be sure to write the contractor’s license number on the check.
At this time, the Commission does not have any continuing education requirements for Residential Electrical Contractors.
For more information about the license renewal process, contact the Commission at:
803-896-4696
Table of Fees
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $100 | Application Processing Fee | Upon submitting the license application |
| $75 | Cost to take one portion of the examination | Upon registering for the exam |
| $90 | Cost to take both portion of the examination | Upon registering for the exam |
| $160 | Licensing fee when the license is issued more than 12 months before the next renewal date | Upon passing the exam |
| $80 | Licensing fee when the license is issued less than 12 months before the next renewal date | Upon passing the exam |
| $160 | Renewal fee | Every 2 years upon renewal |