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LicenseReciprocity

Contractor License from North Carolina to South Carolina: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and Residential Builders Commission (residential) — SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation ↗

Yes — South Carolina has a reciprocity arrangement covering North Carolina license holders. Apply to the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and Residential Builders Commission (residential) — SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation under its reciprocity/endorsement track and complete South Carolina's remaining requirements.

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Verdict

Reciprocity agreement

South Carolina has a trade agreement covering North Carolina — but read it at the trade-and-class level before celebrating. The agreement waives South Carolina's exam for the specific trade and class named in the table below; your other licenses may not be covered. What survives for every applicant: South Carolina's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration. Confirm your exact trade and class against the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and Residential Builders Commission (residential) — SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation listing.

What changes, North Carolina → South Carolina

Side-by-side: North Carolina vs South Carolina (Contractor (GC/electrical/plumbing/HVAC)), verified 2026-08-07
North Carolina (current)South Carolina (destination)
Application fee$75–$125 (Application fee by classification: limited $75, intermediate $100, unlimited $125 (2026 Laws & Regulations). Examination fee (up to $100) is additional and is avoided when a NASCLA or accepted out-of-state exam waiver is used.)$350 (General and Mechanical Contractor initial license fee $350; biennial renewal $135 (reinstatement $350). PSI exam fees are paid directly to PSI and are additional. Residential Builders Commission fees are set separately and were not published as a dollar figure on the pages read.)
Processing timeBoard does not publish a stated processing timeNeither the Contractor's Licensing Board nor the Residential Builders Commission publishes a processing-time estimate
Licensing authorityNorth Carolina Licensing Board for General ContractorsSouth Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and Residential Builders Commission (residential) — SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

The destination column is what you must satisfy — South Carolina sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm South Carolina's current requirements on the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and Residential Builders Commission (residential) — SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the reciprocity application to the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and Residential Builders Commission (residential) — SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
  4. Pass the S.C. Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors exam through PSI.
  5. Hold a current, good-standing license earned by passing the partner state's technical exam — grandfathered or waived-in licensees do not qualify.
  6. Submit license verification from the issuing board showing the exam taken and active status.
  7. Designate a Primary Qualifying Party and meet the net worth or surety bond level for the group limit sought.
  8. Submit the Doc. 165 initial application with the $350 licensure fee and SC Secretary of State business verification.
  9. Pay the fees ($350 (General and Mechanical Contractor initial license fee $350; biennial renewal $135 (reinstatement $350). PSI exam fees are paid directly to PSI and are additional. Residential Builders Commission fees are set separately and were not published as a dollar figure on the pages read.)). Processing time: Neither the Contractor's Licensing Board nor the Residential Builders Commission publishes a processing-time estimate.

Official links

South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and Residential Builders Commission (residential) — SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation ↗South Carolina application ↗

Related guides

Reverse: South Carolina → North CarolinaContractor in North CarolinaContractor in South CarolinaAll contractor states

Frequently asked questions

Does South Carolina accept a North Carolina contractor license?

Yes — South Carolina has a reciprocity arrangement covering North Carolina license holders. Apply to the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) and Residential Builders Commission (residential) — SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation under its reciprocity/endorsement track and complete South Carolina's remaining requirements.

What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?

South Carolina's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.

What does the North Carolina-to-South Carolina move cost and how long does it take?

$350 (General and Mechanical Contractor initial license fee $350; biennial renewal $135 (reinstatement $350). PSI exam fees are paid directly to PSI and are additional. Residential Builders Commission fees are set separately and were not published as a dollar figure on the pages read.) Processing time: Neither the Contractor's Licensing Board nor the Residential Builders Commission publishes a processing-time estimate.

Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?

Possibly, for the trade it covers: South Carolina's board accepts a NASCLA accredited exam in place of its own trade exam (verified 2026-08-07). The business/law exam, bond and application still apply.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.

Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]