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

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

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

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

What happens if my General Contractor License expires in South Carolina?

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 halt unlicensed work.

South Carolina renewal guide

General Contractor License

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 General Contractor License

Any company performing construction, alteration, repair, or demolition on South Carolina projects valued at more than $10,000 must hold a CLB general contractor license. The SC Contractors Licensing Board, under LLR, issues the license in one of five groups based on your project dollar limit.

License groups and project limits

Your group sets the maximum bid on any single project. The five CLB groups are:

Group 1: Work valued at up to $100,000
Group 2: Work valued at up to $400,000
Group 3: Work valued at up to $1,000,000
Group 4: Work valued at up to $3,000,000
Group 5: Unlimited

Passing the exam, qualifying financially, and documenting experience are each required. The exam covers business/law and trade components. Applicants must demonstrate financial capacity — either via CPA-prepared financial statements showing the required net worth for your group, or via a surety bond in the amount set by the CLB for your group.

Costs and renewals

The initial application is $350, paid to the SC CLB. Licenses renew biennially and expire October 31 of even-numbered years; the on-time renewal fee is $135. A $100 late penalty applies in November; it increases to $150 in December and $200 in January. After January 31, reinstatement is required.

No continuing education

The CLB does not require continuing education for general contractor license renewal. Apply and renew at llr.sc.gov/clb.

Operating without a license

Performing general contracting on projects over $10,000 without a valid CLB license 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 pursue civil penalties and seek injunctive relief to halt work.

Official links