Quick Reference Table
Item | Details |
|---|---|
License Types | Residential Specialty HVAC (RBH), Mechanical Contractor (Air-Conditioning, Heating, Packaged Equipment, Refrigeration) |
Agency | LLR: Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board |
Experience | RBH: 1 year (past 5); CLB: 2 years (past 5) |
Exam | RBH: Yes, 2 parts (65%/68); CLB: Yes (per class), both via PSI |
Renewal | RBH: Biennial, by June 30 odd years; CLB: Biennial, Oct 31 odd years |
Continuing Education | None required (as of 2026) |
Fees | RBH: $100 app fee, $220 license/renewal; CLB: $350 initial app (as of 2026) |
Official URLs |
Who Needs a License in South Carolina?
Contractors need to understand HVAC license requirements in South Carolina to avoid illegal bidding. You must hold a state license for most HVAC work above the minimum dollar thresholds.
Residential HVAC jobs over $500 (total materials and labor) require a Residential Specialty Heating and Air (RBH) license from the Residential Builders Commission. For commercial HVAC projects, if the total contract (labor and materials) is more than $10,000, you need a Mechanical Contractor license from the Contractor's Licensing Board. South Carolina Code Section 40-11-30 makes this a strict statewide rule.
The scope includes installation, service, repair, replacement, fabrication, and related HVAC system work. If you are an employee of a licensed company, you do not need your own license, but the firm does. General Contractors cannot perform HVAC work unless they hold the additional Mechanical Contractor (HVAC) license. There is no broad handyman or blanket owner exemption, though homeowners may perform limited HVAC work on their own primary residence, subject to local codes and inspections.
HVAC License Types
There are two main license types within HVAC license requirements in South Carolina: Residential Specialty Heating and Air (RBH) and Mechanical Contractor subclassifications.
RBH – Residential Specialty Heating and Air: For contractors working on residential HVAC jobs over $500. Scope includes installation and repair in single-family dwellings.
CLB Mechanical Contractor: For work over $10,000, you must apply for the appropriate subclassifications, including Air-Conditioning, Heating, Packaged Equipment, and Refrigeration. Each subclass allows the installation, repair, or replacement of those systems in residential or commercial settings at large job size.
Some contractors may need both licenses depending on the type of work bid. If you have already passed the South Carolina Mechanical Contractor (Air-Conditioning or Packaged Equipment) classification exam or the MASC Master Heating & Air exam, you may qualify for an RBH technical exam waiver, but must still take the Business Management & Law exam.
For commercial licenses, qualifying for more than one subclassification is permitted if experience supports it. Mechanical Contractors select a license group (1–5) that defines your bonded job size limit, aligned with submitted financials or surety bond amount.
How to Get Licensed in South Carolina
To meet HVAC license requirements in South Carolina, you must follow these precise steps, matching the board appropriate for your job type.
Identify the correct license type: Choose between RBH (Residential) or CLB (Mechanical Contractor, for jobs >$10,000).
Meet experience requirements: RBH requires one year of approved experience within the last five years. CLB requires two years for every subclassification applied for, also within the past five years.
Submit the application: For RBH, complete the Residential HVAC Installer/Repairer Application and mail the experience affidavit to your supervisor for verification. CLB applicants use Doc 165 (Initial) and Doc 168 (Qualifying Party) with supporting documents.
Wait for eligibility letter (if needed): RBC will review your application, then issue your exam eligibility letter. For CLB, gather all supporting documentation and financial/bond proof before submitting, as there is no separate eligibility step.
Take required exams: Both boards require you to pass technical and business law exams administered by PSI. Schedule your exam using the eligibility provided.
Obtain and submit bond: A $10,000 surety bond is mandatory for RBH licensing where jobs exceed $5,000. CLB bond or financial statement requirements vary by license group and must match the maximum intended job contract size.
Complete any other requirements: Answer criminal background questions carefully. For business entities, register with the SC Secretary of State as needed.
Pay all application and initial license fees.
Wait for processing: For RBH, check status after 7–10 business days. CLB does not provide a specific timeline but reviews applications at scheduled meetings.
Receive your license and begin contracting within legal limits for your group and class.
Each step is required for compliance with HVAC license requirements in South Carolina, especially around experience, bonding, and specialty documentation.
Application Requirements
Your application for any HVAC license in South Carolina must satisfy board-mandated requirements for age, experience, background, and financial backing.
Experience and Age Requirements
Applicants must document relevant experience on official affidavits. For RBH, you must show one year of Commission-approved experience within the past five years, verified by a supervisor or employer. CLB applicants must show two years of experience for each classification they seek, also within the last five years, and file as a Primary Qualifying Party (PQP).
No specific minimum age is stated in the official rules. Citizenship requirements default to general South Carolina licensing laws; if you are unsure, contact the board.
Bond and Financial Backing
If you plan to do residential jobs over $5,000, you must file a $10,000 surety bond (original with Power of Attorney) before RBH licensure. For CLB, you must file a bond or financial statement matching your Group:
Group 1: $7,000 bond / $3,500 working capital / $7,000 net worth
Group 2: $15,000 bond / $10,000 working capital / $15,000 net worth
Group 3: $30,000 bond / $20,000 working capital / $30,000 net worth
Group 4: $60,000 bond / $40,000 working capital / $60,000 net worth
Group 5: $300,000 bond / $200,000 working capital / $300,000 net worth
Bonds must be originals with correct legal names. You may not use the same financial statement or bond for licenses in different legal entities.
Background Checks and Other Documentation
RBC applications include questions on any criminal history. If you answer yes, you may need to submit a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) report. CLB does not mention fingerprints, but criminal disclosures may be required. Experience affidavits must be submitted directly from past employers.
You must submit required business documents, such as the Secretary of State certificate, with CLB applications if not applying as a sole proprietor.
Exams
All HVAC license requirements in South Carolina involve testing. Both RBH and CLB applicants must pass a technical exam and a business law exam, unless you qualify for an exam waiver under reciprocity or credentials.
RBH Exam Details
Technical Exam: 80 multiple-choice questions. Passing score is 65%.
Business Management & Law Exam: 50 questions. Passing score is scale score 68.
Both exams are delivered by PSI. You may take them in a single sitting or separately.
CLB Mechanical Contractor Exam
Each subclassification (Air-Conditioning, Heating, Packaged Equipment, Refrigeration) has its own technical exam through PSI.
All CLB applicants must take the South Carolina Business Management & Law for Commercial Contractors exam via PSI.
PSI is the exclusive provider. You may schedule your test at PSI's South Carolina test scheduling page. Passing scores for CLB are not published openly for all subclasses, so verify current requirements at the exam page.
If you fail any portion, review the board rules for retake frequency and limits; PSI provides instructions upon test failure.
Fees
Precise fee amounts for HVAC license requirements in South Carolina depend on your license type. Here are the latest official fees as of 2026:
RBH (Residential Specialty HVAC) Fees
Application Fee: $100 (as of 2026 – verify at RBC fee schedule)
License Fee: $220 (as of 2026 – same source)
Renewal Fee: $220 (as of 2026 – same source)
Late Renewal: $50 (as of 2026)
Reinstatement: $480 (as of 2026)
Duplicate/wallet card: $10 (as of 2026)
CLB Mechanical Contractor Fees
Initial Application Fee: $350 (as of 2026 – verify at CLB licensure page)
Other fees such as duplicate license may follow LLR's general fee schedule, but are not specified – verify at the official fee schedule.
Exam Fees
All PSI exam fees: Amount not specified on the LLR portal (verify current fees at PSI's registration portal).
Be sure to confirm cost details before submitting any application or scheduling exams.
Renewal and Continuing Education
HVAC license requirements in South Carolina set clear renewal timelines and modest late penalties. There is no continuing education requirement for either major HVAC license.
RBH (Residential HVAC)
The RBH license renews every two years on June 30 of odd-numbered years. The renewal fee is $220 (as of 2026), with a $50 late fee if you miss the deadline. If your license lapses for less than three years, you may reinstate it for $480. After three years, you must reapply and retake all exams.
CLB Mechanical Contractors
Mechanical Contractor licenses expire on October 31 of odd-numbered years. There is no listed late penalty, but you must submit a reinstatement application if your license lapses. If your PQP (qualifying party) remains inactive for over four years, you will need to retake all exams before licensure is restored.
Continuing Education
There is no continuing education requirement for RBH or CLB mechanical licenses as of 2026. Always verify at renewal whether this has changed using the official board pages.
Reciprocity
Some applicants may waive a portion of the HVAC license requirements in South Carolina through state reciprocity.
RBH technical exam waivers are offered for those licensed in Alabama, North Carolina, or Mississippi, provided the licensing board verifies your status. For CLB mechanical contractors, you may be able to waive the technical exam with an active license from Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, or through special certification such as the MASC Master Mechanical credential. The South Carolina Business Management & Law exam is always required and not subject to waiver.
All candidates seeking reciprocity must arrange for the Verification of Licensure form to be sent directly from the original jurisdiction to South Carolina LLR. Exam waivers are granted once the board reviews your eligibility using these official records. For comprehensive details, consult the Technical Exam Waiver Agreement List.
Official Links
Always double-check current HVAC license requirements in South Carolina using these official resources:
