South Carolina Plumber Licensing FAQs

Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in South Carolina?

Any individual doing plumbing work in South Carolina. 

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in South Carolina

• Residential Plumbing
• Commercial Plumbing Contractor

What fees are associated with becoming a plumber in South Carolina?

Residential

• Application Processing: $100
• Exam:
  • One Portion: $75
  • Two Portions: $90
• License:
  • $160 OR*
  • $80
• Renewal: $160

*Price depends on when in the licensing cycle the license is issued:

$160 if the license is issued on or between July 1, odd numbered year to June 30, even numbered year.

$80 if the license is issued on or between July 1, even numbered year to June 30, odd numbered year.

Commercial

• Application Processing: Price depends on when application is mailed, view application for fee schedule
• Exam:
  • Business Management: $75
  • Plumbing Contractor: $75
• License:
  • $350 OR*
  • $175
• Renewal: $350

*Price depends on when in the licensing cycle the license is issued:

$350 if the license is issued on or between August 1, odd-numbered year to July 31, even-numbered year

$175 if the license is issued on or between August 1, even-numbered year to July 31, odd-numbered year

When do I need to renew my South Carolina plumbing license?

Residential Plumbing Contractor licenses expire on June 30^th every odd-numbered year.

Commercial Plumbing Contractor licenses expire on October 31st^th every odd-numbered year.

How do I renew my plumbing license in South Carolina?

Applications for renewal are processed online. Visit LLR's License Portal to renew.

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in South Carolina?

No, South Carlina does not have an active continuing education requirement for plumbers.

1. Meet the minimum experience requirements:
   1. Within the preceding 5 years have worked at least 1 year full time supervised by a licensed plumber*
2. Submit a completed application and processing fee to the RBC
3. Wait for your Examination Eligibility Letter
4. Take and pass the South Carolina Residential Plumbing and Business & Law exams
5. Submit your license fee, test results and proof of surety bond to the RBC

*Applicants who do not have 1 year experience will be required to appear before the Commission for an experience review

• Application Processing: $100
• Exam:
  • One Portion: $75
  • Two Portions: $90
• License:
  • $160 OR*
  • $80
• Renewal: $160

*Price depends on when in the licensing cycle the license is issued:

$160 if the license is issued on or between July 1, odd numbered year to June 30, even numbered year.

$80 if the license is issued on or between July 1, even numbered year to June 30, odd numbered year.

There are two portions to the South Carolina Residential Plumbing exam: the trades exam and the Business Management & Law exam.

Business Management & Law:

• 50 questions
• Open book
• 120 minute time limit
• 68% required to pass

Topics include:

• Business management
• Licensing laws and rules
• Estimating and bidding
• Contracts and agreements
• Project management
• Insurance and bonding
• Safety recordkeeping and reporting
• Labor laws and employment regulations
• Financial management
• Tax laws
• Liens
• Environmental laws and regulations

Residential Plumber Trade Exam:

• 65 questions
• Open book
• 180 minute time limit
• 70% required to pass

Topics include:

• General plumbing knowledge and regulations
• Piping, valves, and controls
• Fixtures and equipment
• Water supply
• Drain, waste and vent and sewers
• Isometric analysis
• Safety
• Specialty applications

• Administration
• Definitions
• General Regulations
• Plumbing Math
• Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
• Water Heaters
• Water Supply & Distribution
• Sanitary Drainage
• Indirect and Special Waste
• Vents
• Traps, Interceptors and Separators
• Storm Drainage
• Appendices
• Hands-On Practical Application

Our Business and Law Exam Prep covers the topics listed for the exam

• Beaufort
• Charleston
• Charlotte
• Columbia
• Greensville
• Myrtle Beach

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test.

You must pass your exams within 12 months of your eligibility letter date. If you fail an exam, you have to re-take it. You have three chances to pass both exams or you will need to reapply for licensure.

1. Meet minimum experience requirements:
   1. Have at least 2 years full time experience within the preceding 5 years in the trade for each classification you're applying to
2. Qualifying Party apply to PSI for exam approval
3. Take and pass both the trades and the business law exams
4. Submit a completed application along with the following items to the CLB:
   1. Score report,
   2. Financial statement or surety bond
   3. License fee
   4. Business registration

• Application Processing: Price depends on when application is mailed, view application for fee schedule
• Exam:
  • Business Management: $75
  • Plumbing Contractor: $75
• License:
  • $350 OR*
  • $175
• Renewal: $350

*Price depends on when in the licensing cycle the license is issued:

$350 if the license is issued on or between August 1, odd-numbered year to July 31, even-numbered year

$175 if the license is issued on or between August 1, even-numbered year to July 31, odd-numbered year

There are two portions to the South Carolina Commercial Plumbing exam: the technical exam and the Business Management & Law exam.

Business Management & Law:

• 50 questions
• Open book
• 125 minute time limit
• 70% required to pass

Topics include:

• Business management
• Licensing laws and rules
• Estimating and bidding
• Contracts and agreements
• Project management
• Insurance and bonding
• Safety recordkeeping and reporting
• Labor laws and employment regulations
• Financial management
• Tax laws
• Liens
• Environmental laws and regulations

Plumbing Technical Exam:

• 80 questions
• Open book
• 4 hour time limit
• 70% required to pass

Topics include:

• ADA accessibility
• General plumbing knowledge and regulations
• Hangers and supports
• Materials
• Joints and connections
• Fixtures and equipment
• Water heaters
• Backflow prevention
• Sanitary drainage systems
• Cleanouts
• Indirect and special waste
• Sanitary venting
• Traps and interceptors
• Storm piping systems
• Plumbing-developed length
• DWV isometric analysis
• Water supply isometric analysis
• Roof drain isometric analysis
• Pipe assembly
• Valves
• General fuel knowledge
• Natural gas
• LP-gas

• Administration
• Definitions
• General Regulations
• Plumbing Math
• Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
• Water Heaters
• Water Supply & Distribution
• Sanitary Drainage
• Indirect and Special Waste
• Vents
• Traps, Interceptors and Separators
• Storm Drainage
• Appendices
• Hands-On Practical Application

Our Business and Law Exam Prep covers the topics listed for the exam.

• Beaufort
• Charleston
• Charlotte
• Columbia
• Greensville
• Myrtle Beach

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test.

You may only take the exams for each classification 2 times during a 12 month period, and after that first year only once every 6 months.

The Business Management & Law exam may be taken on an unlimited basis over a 12 month period.

The plumbing industry is often changing. As a professional plumber, it is important to keep your industry knowledge up to date so you can make practical decisions for your business. Professional development courses are designed to help you sustain and improve your plumbing industry knowledge.

Whether you are looking for information on new avenues for your business, want to brush up on best practices, or are just interested in learning about a particular topic, professional development is for you!

No. Unlike continuing education, which is required by your licensing body to maintain your license, professional development is not required and is considered supplemental learning.

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you've entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10–15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don't pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.