South Carolina Plumber License Fees

Three Separate Fee Schedules

South Carolina's plumbing licensing system spreads costs across three separate organizations, and each has its own fee structure. If you're budgeting for the full process from trade certification to active contractor license, you need to account for all three — plus insurance, bonding, and business formation costs that aren't always obvious until you're deep into the application.

CAGC Trade Certification Fees

Individual Journeyman and Master Plumber trade certifications are administered by the Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC) Foundation. The costs are straightforward:

• Application processing fee: $35 per certification level
• Prov exam fee: $100 per attempt (paid directly to Prov)
• Retesting fee: $35 to CAGC for a new voucher if you fail, plus another $100 to Prov for the retake

Total for a first-attempt pass: $135 per certification level. If you're going from Journeyman to Master, that's $135 for the Journeyman exam and another $135 for the Master exam — $270 for both levels assuming you pass each on the first try.

Residential Specialty (RBC) Fees

The Residential Builders Commission handles RBP (Residential Specialty Plumbing Contractor) licensing:

• Application processing fee: $135 (non-refundable, paid at application submission)
• PSI exam fees: Approximately $75 per exam portion — the Residential Plumbing exam and the Business, Law, and Project Management exam run roughly $150 total
• License fee: $220 (paid after passing exams)
• Surety bond: $10,000 face value for projects exceeding $5,000. The premium varies by credit and surety underwriting; obtain a quote.

Total first-year cost for RBC track: Approximately $505 in direct licensing fees, plus the surety-bond premium and SLED background check, credit report, and business formation costs.

One payment rule that catches applicants: paper applications submitted to the RBC must be accompanied by a certified check or money order. Personal checks and company checks are rejected, and your application is returned without processing.

Commercial Mechanical Contractor (CLB) Fees

The Contractor's Licensing Board handles PB (Plumbing classification) commercial licenses:

• PSI exam fees: Approximately $75 per exam portion — the Commercial Plumbing exam and the Business Management and Law exam run roughly $150 total
• Initial license fee: $350
• Surety bond: Varies by financial group. Group 1 requires a $7,000 bond (or $3,500 net worth). Group 5 requires a $300,000 bond (or $200,000 net worth). Premiums depend on the bond amount and the surety company's underwriting.

Total first-year cost for CLB track: Approximately $500 in direct licensing fees for Group 1, plus bond premiums. Higher groups increase costs significantly due to larger bonds or the need for CPA-prepared financial statements.

For Groups 3 and 4, the financial statement must be compiled by a licensed CPA. For Group 5, a full CPA-audited balance sheet is required if you rely on financial statements. CPA fees for compilation typically run $500-$1,500; audit fees can exceed $3,000. Using a surety bond instead of CPA financials is often cheaper for Groups 1 and 2, where the bond premiums are modest.

Additional Costs Most Guides Skip

Beyond the licensing fees themselves, budget for these:

• SLED background check: Varies (typically $25 for the online pull)
• Credit report: $15-$30
• Secretary of State LLC filing: $110
• DBA registration (if sole proprietor with assumed name): $25 with the county clerk
• General liability insurance: Varies by coverage level and business size; minimum $100,000 for CLB commercial licenses
• Workers' compensation insurance: Mandatory if you employ four or more workers under S.C. Code Ann. § 42-1-150
• Local business license fees: Each municipality charges separately. Charleston's annual fee is based on gross receipts ($150-$500 typical). North Charleston charges a $30 filing fee plus per-fixture permit fees.

Renewal Costs

License renewal is biennial. Residential specialty licenses (RBP) expire June 30 of odd-numbered years. Commercial mechanical contractor licenses expire October 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewal fees are lower than initial application fees, but letting a license lapse can trigger reinstatement fees, making it more expensive than renewing on time.

For the complete filing sequence and cost planning for both the residential and commercial tracks, the South Carolina Plumber License Guide includes a full fee reference and step-by-step documentation checklist.

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