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How to get an electrician license in South Carolina

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for South Carolina, pulled from official SC sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission and Contractor's Licensing Board)
  • State journeyman license: No (South Carolina has no state journeyman license. The state licenses Residential Electricians (residential work over $500) and Mechanical Contractors with the Electrical classification (commercial work over $10,000); cities and counties may require their own certifications, licenses and permits.)
  • Residential Electrician: At least 1 year of residential electrical experience within the past 5 years, verified by affidavits from each supervisor or employer plus W-2s or 1099s, before you are approved to test. You also need a credit report no more than 30 days old.
  • Exam: open book, via PSI
  • Code edition: The PSI Residential Electrical exam (bulletin updated 10/9/2026) uses NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, 2017 edition, or the NEC Handbook. Commercial and local codes may differ.

Requirements by license

Residential Electrician

ExperienceAt least 1 year of residential electrical experience within the past 5 years, verified by affidavits from each supervisor or employer plus W-2s or 1099s, before you are approved to test. You also need a credit report no more than 30 days old.Source: llr.sc.gov · as of
ExamPSI. Open book. Two parts, both open book: Residential Electrical (60 questions, 180 minutes, 44 correct to pass) and Business Management and Law for Residential Builders (50 questions, 120 minutes, 34 correct). You get 3 attempts within 12 months; exam fees are paid to PSI.Source: test-takers.psiexams.com · as of · Attempts: llr.sc.gov
Fees
  • Application: $135
  • License: $220
  • Renewal: $220
  • Late renewal fee: $50
  • Reinstatement: $480
  • Exam (paid to PSI): not listed
Source: llr.sc.gov · as of · Residential Electrician License (RBE) fee table on the Commission page. For any job over $5,000 you also need a $10,000 surety bond on file with the Commission (llr.sc.gov).
RenewalNot confirmed. Not confirmed. The Commission lists a $220 renewal fee and a $50 late fee, but its renewal page gives dates only for Residential Builder licenses; ask the Commission for your expiration date. A license lapsed less than 3 years can be reinstated; after 3 years you apply again and retest.Not confirmedSource: llr.sc.gov · as of
CE to renewNot confirmed. Ask the Residential Builders Commission whether Residential Electricians need CE.Not confirmedSource: llr.sc.gov · as of

Mechanical Contractor, Electrical classification

ExperienceAt least 2 years of work experience in the classification within the past 5 years, mostly commercial, for the qualifying party. The business also needs a financial statement or surety bond for its project-size group limit.Source: llr.sc.gov · as of
ExamPSI. The PSI Electrical technical exam (or an approved exam waiver or master certification) and the S.C. Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors exam, passed before you apply.Source: llr.sc.gov · as of
Fees
  • Licensure fee: $350
Source: llr.sc.gov · as of
RenewalEvery 2 years. All Mechanical Contractor licenses expire October 31 in odd-numbered years.Source: llr.sc.gov · as of · Renewal fee not listed on this page.
CE to renewNot confirmed. Ask the Contractor's Licensing Board.Not confirmedSource: llr.sc.gov · as of

License types in South Carolina

  • No state journeyman license
  • Residential Electrician (Residential Builders Commission)
  • Mechanical Contractor, Electrical (EL) classification (Contractor's Licensing Board)
  • Local certifications and business licenses, set by each city or county
Source: llr.sc.gov · as of · Local licensing: llr.sc.gov

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

You can skip the technical part of the Residential Electrician exam with an exam-earned license held 1+ year in North Carolina or Mississippi, a NASCLA electrical exam passed in the past 3 years, a qualifying master certification (MASC through 2025 or Carolinas AGC from 2026), or an SC Mechanical Contractor license with the Electrical classification. You still need the experience and the Business Management and Law exam.Source: llr.sc.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does South Carolina have a state journeyman electrician license?

No. South Carolina licenses Residential Electricians and Mechanical Contractors with the Electrical classification, while cities and counties may require their own journeyman certifications.

How do you get a Residential Electrician license in South Carolina?

You need at least 1 year of residential electrical experience within the past 5 years, then you pass the PSI Residential Electrical exam and the Business Management and Law exam. The application fee is $135.

Is the South Carolina residential electrical exam open book?

Yes. The PSI Residential Electrical exam is open book, with 60 questions in 180 minutes and 44 correct needed to pass.

When do you need a contractor license for electrical work in South Carolina?

Residential electrical work over $500 needs a Residential Electrician license, and commercial electrical work over $10,000 needs a Mechanical Contractor license with the Electrical classification.

Already licensed? See South Carolina electrician license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.