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How to get an HVAC license in South Carolina

Hours, exam, fees and renewal for HVAC work in South Carolina. Taken from official SC pages and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: South Carolina Contractors’ Licensing Board (LLR) — Mechanical Contractor
  • State journeyman license: No (South Carolina licenses mechanical contracting entities through a Primary Qualifying Party — not a statewide HVAC journeyman card. Cities/counties may add business licenses or permits.)
  • Mechanical Contractor (Air Conditioning / Heating): Designate a Primary Qualifying Party. PQP/QP needs at least 2 years of work experience in the classification within the past 5 years (commercial experience expected unless noted), plus PSI technical exam (or waiver/HARV path) and the S.C. Business Management & Law exam. Entity submits Doc. 165, $350 fee, SOS authority (if not sole prop), and financial statement or surety bond for the requested group limit.
  • Exam: see below, via PSI
  • Code edition: PSI technical exam for the classification plus S.C. Business Management & Law for Commercial Contractors. No Board pre-approval to schedule PSI. HARV (Master Mechanical) MASC/CAGC certification can qualify for Air Conditioning and Heating.

Requirements by license

Mechanical Contractor (Air Conditioning / Heating)

ExperienceDesignate a Primary Qualifying Party. PQP/QP needs at least 2 years of work experience in the classification within the past 5 years (commercial experience expected unless noted), plus PSI technical exam (or waiver/HARV path) and the S.C. Business Management & Law exam. Entity submits Doc. 165, $350 fee, SOS authority (if not sole prop), and financial statement or surety bond for the requested group limit.Source: llr.sc.gov · as of
ExamPSI. Pass technical + Business Management & Law before applying. Exam waivers available from listed reciprocating states. Mechanical group limits run Group 1 ($35k) through Group 5 (unlimited).Source: llr.sc.gov · as of
Fees
  • Initial mechanical contractor license: $350
  • Biennial renewal (on time): $135
  • Reinstatement: $350
Source: llr.sc.gov · as of · Mechanical licenses expire Oct 31 of odd-numbered years. Late windows add $100–$200 through January.
RenewalEvery 2 years. Expire October 31 of odd years. On-time renewal $135 if postmarked by Oct 31; stepped late fees Nov–Jan; then reinstatement path.Source: llr.sc.gov · as of
CE to renewCLB mechanical contractor fee/licensure pages do not list a CE hour requirement for mechanical contractor renewal (Building Codes Council registration CE is a different program).Not confirmedSource: llr.sc.gov · as of

License types in South Carolina

  • No statewide HVAC journeyman license
  • Mechanical Contractor — Air Conditioning
  • Mechanical Contractor — Heating
  • Mechanical Contractor — Packaged Equipment / Refrigeration (and other mech subclasses)
  • Primary Qualifying Party / Qualifying Party certification
Source: llr.sc.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Technical exam waivers for listed states/classifications via the Board’s Examination Waiver form. HARV Master Mechanical (MASC through 2025 / CAGC from 2026) can cover Air Conditioning and Heating. You still need S.C. Business Management & Law and a Board application.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

SC HVAC license?

Mechanical Contractor license through LLR (Air Conditioning, Heating, Packaged Equipment, etc.) with a Primary Qualifying Party.

Experience?

At least 2 years in the classification within the past 5 years, plus PSI technical and Business Management & Law exams.

Already licensed? See South Carolina HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

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