South Carolina plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
South Carolina plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission for residential work; Contractor's Licensing Board for larger mechanical contracts)), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,681 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in South Carolina?
| Who licenses them | South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission for residential work; Contractor's Licensing Board for larger mechanical contracts) |
|---|---|
| License types | Residential Specialty Contractor - Plumbing (license by exam), Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (Contractor's Licensing Board) |
| When a license is required | Residential plumbing license required for jobs over $500; Contractor's Licensing Board mechanical license required for contracts over $10,000; residential specialty contractors need a surety bond for jobs over $5,000 for an individual homeowner |
Plumbers doing home jobs over $500 must hold a Residential Builders Commission plumbing license (obtained by exam); bigger mechanical contracts over $10,000 fall under the Contractor's Licensing Board. Look the contractor up under 'Residential Builders' or 'Contractors' on the LLR lookup.
How do you look up a plumber's license in South Carolina?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the South Carolina plumbing license lookup run by South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission for residential work; Contractor's Licensing Board for larger mechanical contracts).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission for residential work; Contractor's Licensing Board for larger mechanical contracts).
What plumbing licenses does South Carolina issue?
- Residential Specialty Contractor - Plumbing (license by exam)
- Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (Contractor's Licensing Board)
How do you get a plumbing license in South Carolina?
Licenses are issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission for residential work; Contractor's Licensing Board for larger mechanical contracts). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission for residential work; Contractor's Licensing Board for larger mechanical contracts) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in South Carolina?
The Census Bureau counted 1,681 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in South Carolina in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Greenville County | 196 |
|---|---|
| Horry County | 157 |
| Charleston County | 151 |
| Lexington County | 123 |
| Spartanburg County | 115 |
| York County | 98 |
| Richland County | 91 |
| Beaufort County | 85 |
What do South Carolina homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in South Carolina was built in 1991, 29% of households rent and 68% of homes are single-family houses. 23% of homes heat with utility gas and 71% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in South Carolina?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: South Carolina licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.