How often do I need to renew my Electrical Contractor License in South Carolina?

The Electrical Contractor License in South Carolina must be renewed every 24 months.

How much does it cost to renew a Electrical Contractor License in South Carolina?

The renewal cost for a Electrical Contractor License in South Carolina is $135.00.

South Carolina renewal guide

Electrical Contractor License

Q: What happens if my Electrical Contractor License expires in South Carolina?

Performing electrical contracting without a valid license in South Carolina is a misdemeanor under SC Code § 40-11-200. Criminal conviction carries up to $5,000 in fines and up to one year in prison. Administrative civil penalties may also reach $500 per first offense. The LLR may seek injunctive relief to stop unlicensed work.

If this license is up for renewal, this page gives you the fee, the timeline, and the items that usually hold the filing up.

See this alongside the other 10 South Carolina license pages we track.

Start here

What matters before you file.

Check the fee, the renewal window, and the documents or insurance records that can slow approval down.

Issuing authority

South Carolina Contractors Licensing Board (LLR)

Renewal period

Every 24 months

Renewal fee

$135.00

Late penalty

$100.00

Bond requirement

Insurance requirement

Before you renew

Get the filing straight.

1
File with the board

File through South Carolina Contractors Licensing Board (LLR) and pay the $135.00 renewal fee once the supporting proof is ready.
Renew online
2
Leave room for processing

Typical processing time is 45 days, so do not wait until the last minute.

If you miss the deadline, the late penalty is $100.00, with a 30-day grace period.

Detailed notes

The fine print is here.

South Carolina Electrical Contractor License

SC electrical contractor licenses are issued by the Contractors Licensing Board (CLB) as the "Electrical" (EL) subclassification of the mechanical contractor license under SC Code § 40-11-410. Any company performing electrical installations on projects valued at more than $10,000 needs this license.

What the subclassification covers

The EL subclassification covers installation, alteration, and repair of wiring-related electrical equipment and systems for voltages under 600 volts — residential, commercial, and industrial work statewide. A general contractor license does not cover this work; the EL subclassification is required.

Costs and renewals

The initial license application is $350, paid to the SC CLB. Licenses renew biennially and expire October 31 of odd-numbered years; the on-time renewal fee is $135. If you miss the deadline, add $100 for the first month of late renewal (November 1–30); the penalty increases to $150 in December and $200 in January. After January 31, reinstatement is required.

Financial qualification

All CLB mechanical contractor applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility — either through CPA-prepared financial statements showing the required net worth for your license group, or through a surety bond in an amount set by the CLB for your license group. This qualification is required at application and at renewal.

No continuing education

The CLB does not require continuing education for mechanical contractor license renewal, including the electrical subclassification. Exam and experience requirements are at llr.sc.gov/clb.

Operating without a license

Performing electrical contracting without a valid CLB license on projects over $10,000 is a misdemeanor under SC Code § 40-11-200. Criminal conviction carries up to $5,000 in fines and up to one year in prison. The board may also impose administrative penalties and seek injunctive relief to stop work.

Official links