Roofing license
Roofing license requirements in South Carolina
Yes — South Carolina licenses roofers through the state: smaller residential roofing is done as a registered Residential Specialty (roofing) contractor, while commercial and larger jobs need a general contractor license with a roofing classification.
The short answer
Yes — South Carolina licenses roofers through the state: smaller residential roofing is done as a registered Residential Specialty (roofing) contractor, while commercial and larger jobs need a general contractor license with a roofing classification.
Do you need a license to roof in South Carolina?
Residential Specialty Contractor (roofing) registration for smaller residential jobs; General Contractor license with a roofing classification for commercial/larger work.
Who issues it: South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board and Residential Builders Commission (SC LLR).
Last verified: 2026-07-19
South Carolina roofing license at a glance
Every figure here is a plain-English starting point read from the official state board — always confirm the current requirements at the source before you rely on them.
License type / class
Residential Specialty Contractor (roofing) registration for smaller residential jobs; General Contractor license with a roofing classification for commercial/larger work.
Issuing board
South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board and Residential Builders Commission (SC LLR) — llr.sc.gov/clb
Exam required
Yes
Experience / qualification
Commercial: about two years of verifiable roofing/construction experience within five years. Residential specialty: about one year under a licensed contractor.
Bond
A $5,000 surety bond is required when a project's total cost exceeds $5,000 (residential specialty).
Insurance minimum
General liability and, with employees, workers' compensation.
Application fee
Set by SC LLR and depends on whether you register as a residential specialty or license as a commercial contractor.
Renewal
Commercial licenses renew every two years; residential registrations renew on the commission's schedule.
Reciprocity
Limited reciprocity for some exams; confirm current terms with SC LLR.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| License type / class | Residential Specialty Contractor (roofing) registration for smaller residential jobs; General Contractor license with a roofing classification for commercial/larger work. |
| Issuing board | South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board and Residential Builders Commission (SC LLR) — llr.sc.gov/clb |
| Exam required | Yes |
| Experience / qualification | Commercial: about two years of verifiable roofing/construction experience within five years. Residential specialty: about one year under a licensed contractor. |
| Bond | A $5,000 surety bond is required when a project's total cost exceeds $5,000 (residential specialty). |
| Insurance minimum | General liability and, with employees, workers' compensation. |
| Application fee | Set by SC LLR and depends on whether you register as a residential specialty or license as a commercial contractor. |
| Renewal | Commercial licenses renew every two years; residential registrations renew on the commission's schedule. |
| Reciprocity | Limited reciprocity for some exams; confirm current terms with SC LLR. |
How to get a roofing license in South Carolina
- Decide residential-specialty vs. commercial based on your job sizes and type.
- Document the required experience (about one year residential, two years commercial).
- Pass the roofing trade exam and the matching business/law exam.
- Submit the surety bond where required and apply to SC LLR.
- Renew on the board's schedule and keep insurance current.
Working without a license in South Carolina
Unlicensed contracting in South Carolina can bring fines and prevents you from enforcing the contract or filing a lien.
Last verified: 2026-07-19
Roofing license rules change and often vary by city and county. This page is a plain-English starting point, not legal advice — always confirm the current requirements with the state board linked below before you rely on them.
Verify at the source: llr.sc.gov/clb
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