State of South Carolina Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor (HVAC, plumber, or electrician) Bond

What is the South Carolina Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor Bond?

To obtain a Residential Specialty Contractor License in South Carolina, contractors must purchase a South Carolina Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor bond as part of the application process.

Licensed Residential Specialty Contractors specialize in HVAC, plumbing, or electrical services, and these trades come with certain risks and necessary precautions. The South Carolina Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor bond provides financial protection for the public against those risks in the instance a licensed contractor violates licensing regulations. If a licensed contractor fails to uphold the laws and regulations of their trader, any injured party (typically a homeowner) can file a claim against the contractor’s bond to recover damages up to the bond amount.

Who has to get this contractor bond?

All licensed residential specialty contractors in South Carolina have to secure a $10,000 surety bond when the work to be conducted is worth $5,000 and over. The South Carolina Residential Builders Commission requires you to get this bond to complete your license application.

Keep in mind that the South Carolina Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor Bond differs from other bonds like the South Carolina Residential Builder Bond/Certificate of Authorization (for Residential Builders; $15,000) and the South Carolina Registered Residential Specialty Contractor Bond ($5,000).

Our comprehensive guide on South Carolina Contractor Licenses can provide more insight into these licenses if you still have questions.

How much does this bond cost?

The South Carolina Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor Bond has a required bond amount of $10,000. Fortunately, that is not what you have to pay to get your bond. EZ Surety Bonds offers this bond with a one-year term for only $200, which you can purchase instantly through our website, with no credit check required. Keep in mind that, while the bond only has a one-year term, the contractor license has a two-year term—expiring every odd-numbered year (2023, 2025, etc.).

Obligee Information

The South Carolina Residential Builders Commission is the obligee for this bond. Their contact information is below:

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
South Carolina Residential Builders Commission
110 Centerview Dr.
Columbia, SC 29210

Phone: (803) 896-4696
Email: contact.rbc@llr.sc.gov

How to get a South Carolina Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor Bond?

At EZ Surety Bonds, applying for your surety bond is simple and free. Just fill out the application for your bond today and after you get your quote, make your payment. We’ll then mail the original bond document to you so you can file it with the obligee. If you have any questions along the way, reach out to our surety experts at info@ezsuretybonds.com or by calling 1-866-546-4605.

Frequently asked questions

How do I become a Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor in South Carolina?
Becoming a Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor in South Carolina is simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Apply for your Residential Specialty Contractor License based on the type of work you will be doing: Electrical, Heating and Air Conditioning, and Plumbing. To be eligible for licensure, residential specialty contractors need at least one year of relevant experience.
2. Submit the $135 license application fee.
3. After submitting your license application, you will receive an exam waiver in the mail. The licensure exam is required by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation for you to get your license. The exam is administered by PSI exams and you can register here.
4. Submit your licensing fee of:
   • $220 if your license is issued on or between July 1st of an odd-numbered year to June 30th of an even-numbered year, or
   • $110 if your license is issued on or between July 1st of an even-numbered year to June 30th of an odd-numbered year.
5. Obtain your $10,000 contractor license surety bond if your project is worth $5,000 or more.

All Residential Specialty Contractor licenses in South Carolina expire on June 30th of every odd-numbered year and must be renewed before expiration. If you miss the renewal date, you can reinstate your license online. Note that, unlike the license, the bond has a one-year term.

How much is a Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor Bond in South Carolina?
Licensed Residential Specialty Contractors in South Carolina are required to secure a surety bond amount of $10,000, which can be purchased instantly on our site for only $200 for a one-year term. Because the license renews every odd-numbered year, the full term of the license is two years. You’ll need to renew your bond for every year you wish to have an active license. Simply fill out the short application on our site to get your bond today.

I’ve purchased my South Carolina Licensed Residential Specialty Contractor Bond—what’s next?
After purchasing your bond, we will ship the original bond document to you. Once you receive it in the mail, you will be able to file that original bond with the obligee since most obligees require the original document and not a copy. Always check your obligee’s bond filing requirements before mailing out your bond.

For more information, check out our comprehensive guide on all things related to the South Carolina Residential Specialty Contractor surety bonds here.