South Carolina Residential Builder License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 5 min read

South Carolina Residential Builder licenses from the Residential Builders Commission are in the 2026-2028 license period, and the deadline to renew without a late fee was June 30, 2026. A license not renewed by then can still be renewed with a $50 late fee until June 30, 2027; after that it can no longer be renewed and has to be reinstated. Before you can renew online, the Commission needs a current surety bond on file, and the renewal software needs a valid email address on file.

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone who constructs or superintends, or offers to, the construction, repair or improvement of a residential building not over three floors high, with no more than sixteen units in any single apartment building, when the cost of the undertaking exceeds $5,000. Regulated commercial construction over $10,000 needs a General or Mechanical Contractor's license from the Contractor's Licensing Board
License term: The Commission's current license period is 2026-2028. The deadline to renew for it without a late fee was June 30, 2026
Before you can renew: You must have a current surety bond on file with the Commission. If your bond expires on or before July 1, 2026, upload a new surety bond or a Surety Bond Continuation Form through Document Submission. If the original bond is already on file, only the continuation certificate is needed
Bond paperwork: Every bond submission needs the surety's and the principal's original signatures (DocuSign isn't accepted), the surety company seal visible, and the Power of Attorney document attached. The Commission's renewal application asks for a current $15,000 surety bond, in the builder's name only and signed by the builder
Renew: Online through the Commission's renewal portal, or by mailing its paper 2026-2028 renewal application with a check or money order payable to SC Residential Builders Commission. The online renewal needs a valid email on file: to add or change yours, email the Commission with your name, license number, the last 5 digits of your Social Security number or FEIN, and your current email address
One license at a time: Every license or registration is renewed separately by its credential number. The online renewal has a proxy payment link you can email to someone else to pay; you're responsible for making sure they pay on time
Renewal fee: $220 if renewed on or before June 30, 2026
Late renewal: Renewals postmarked from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: $50 late fee + $220 renewal fee = $270
After June 30, 2027: The license can no longer be renewed and must be reinstated, for $480 ($220 renewal fee + $260 reinstatement fee). A license lapsed for more than three years needs a new application as a new applicant, with re-examination
Continuing education: None: Title 40, Chapter 59 lets the Commission require CE by regulation, and its regulations (Chapter 106) set none
On the renewal form: State law requires renewal forms to list any outstanding judgments against you, or against any entity you were associated with, for the past five years. The 2026-2028 application also asks personal-history questions (convictions, discipline, pending complaints) and whether your lawful presence status has changed
Changes: Tell the Commission in writing within 30 days of any change to the information it has on file, your mailing address included
Contact: South Carolina Residential Builders Commission, 110 Centerview Dr, Columbia, SC. 803-896-4696, Contact.RBC@llr.sc.gov

This guide covers the Residential Builder license. Home inspector licenses and Certificates of Authorization from the same Commission have their own fees and rules (a Certificate of Authorization not renewed by June 30, 2026 must reapply): see the Commission's renewal page.

How to renew

Check that a current surety bond is on file with the Commission. If yours expires on or before July 1, 2026, upload a new bond or a continuation form through Document Submission, with original signatures, the surety seal and the Power of Attorney.
Make sure the Commission has a valid email address for you: the online renewal won't let you in without one.
Renew online (one license at a time by credential number) or on the paper application, answering its personal-history questions, including any judgments, liens or claims from the past five years not already disclosed.
The $220 fee applied through June 30, 2026. Renewing now costs $270 with the late fee, through June 30, 2027. After that, apply for reinstatement ($480).

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

Now, if not yet renewedCheck your $15,000 surety bond is current and on file, then renew with the $50 late fee ($270 in all).
June 30, 2027Last day of late renewal. After that, the license can no longer be renewed and must be reinstated ($480).
Three years lapsedA license lapsed for more than three years needs a new application, with re-examination.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your surety bond, filed with the Commission
Any residential specialty contractor license or registration you also hold (electrical, plumbing, HVAC or another trade): check its renewal date with the Commission
Your general contractor license from the Contractor's Licensing Board, if you also do commercial work
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When is the South Carolina residential builder license renewal deadline?

The Commission's current license period is 2026-2028, and the deadline to renew for it without a late fee was June 30, 2026.

How much does it cost to renew a South Carolina residential builder license?

$220 if renewed on or before June 30, 2026. Renewals postmarked from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 cost $270 ($50 late fee + $220 renewal fee).

What do I need before I can renew my South Carolina residential builder license?

A current surety bond on file with the Commission, and a valid email address on file for the renewal software. If your bond expires on or before July 1, 2026, upload a new surety bond or a Surety Bond Continuation Form through Document Submission.

Do South Carolina residential builders need continuing education to renew?

No: Title 40, Chapter 59 lets the Commission require CE by regulation, and its regulations (Chapter 106) set none.

What if I missed the June 30 renewal deadline?

You can still renew with the late fee ($270 in all) until June 30, 2027. After that the license can no longer be renewed and must be reinstated, for $480. A license lapsed for more than three years needs a new application, with re-examination.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (RBC), Renew My License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other South Carolina guides

All South Carolina guides on one page

General contractor guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

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How LicenseLedger works for general contractors

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South Carolina Residential Builder License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 5 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone who constructs or superintends, or offers to, the construction, repair or improvement of a residential building not over three floors high, with no more than sixteen units in any single apartment building, when the cost of the undertaking exceeds $5,000. Regulated commercial construction over $10,000 needs a General or Mechanical Contractor's license from the Contractor's Licensing Board
License term: The Commission's current license period is 2026-2028. The deadline to renew for it without a late fee was June 30, 2026
Before you can renew: You must have a current surety bond on file with the Commission. If your bond expires on or before July 1, 2026, upload a new surety bond or a Surety Bond Continuation Form through Document Submission. If the original bond is already on file, only the continuation certificate is needed
Bond paperwork: Every bond submission needs the surety's and the principal's original signatures (DocuSign isn't accepted), the surety company seal visible, and the Power of Attorney document attached. The Commission's renewal application asks for a current $15,000 surety bond, in the builder's name only and signed by the builder
Renew: Online through the Commission's renewal portal, or by mailing its paper 2026-2028 renewal application with a check or money order payable to SC Residential Builders Commission. The online renewal needs a valid email on file: to add or change yours, email the Commission with your name, license number, the last 5 digits of your Social Security number or FEIN, and your current email address
One license at a time: Every license or registration is renewed separately by its credential number. The online renewal has a proxy payment link you can email to someone else to pay; you're responsible for making sure they pay on time
Renewal fee: $220 if renewed on or before June 30, 2026
Late renewal: Renewals postmarked from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: $50 late fee + $220 renewal fee = $270
After June 30, 2027: The license can no longer be renewed and must be reinstated, for $480 ($220 renewal fee + $260 reinstatement fee). A license lapsed for more than three years needs a new application as a new applicant, with re-examination
Continuing education: None: Title 40, Chapter 59 lets the Commission require CE by regulation, and its regulations (Chapter 106) set none
On the renewal form: State law requires renewal forms to list any outstanding judgments against you, or against any entity you were associated with, for the past five years. The 2026-2028 application also asks personal-history questions (convictions, discipline, pending complaints) and whether your lawful presence status has changed
Changes: Tell the Commission in writing within 30 days of any change to the information it has on file, your mailing address included
Contact: South Carolina Residential Builders Commission, 110 Centerview Dr, Columbia, SC. 803-896-4696, Contact.RBC@llr.sc.gov

How to renew

Check that a current surety bond is on file with the Commission. If yours expires on or before July 1, 2026, upload a new bond or a continuation form through Document Submission, with original signatures, the surety seal and the Power of Attorney.
Make sure the Commission has a valid email address for you: the online renewal won't let you in without one.
Renew online (one license at a time by credential number) or on the paper application, answering its personal-history questions, including any judgments, liens or claims from the past five years not already disclosed.
The $220 fee applied through June 30, 2026. Renewing now costs $270 with the late fee, through June 30, 2027. After that, apply for reinstatement ($480).

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

Now, if not yet renewedCheck your $15,000 surety bond is current and on file, then renew with the $50 late fee ($270 in all).
June 30, 2027Last day of late renewal. After that, the license can no longer be renewed and must be reinstated ($480).
Three years lapsedA license lapsed for more than three years needs a new application, with re-examination.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your surety bond, filed with the Commission
Any residential specialty contractor license or registration you also hold (electrical, plumbing, HVAC or another trade): check its renewal date with the Commission
Your general contractor license from the Contractor's Licensing Board, if you also do commercial work
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When is the South Carolina residential builder license renewal deadline?

The Commission's current license period is 2026-2028, and the deadline to renew for it without a late fee was June 30, 2026.

How much does it cost to renew a South Carolina residential builder license?

$220 if renewed on or before June 30, 2026. Renewals postmarked from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 cost $270 ($50 late fee + $220 renewal fee).

What do I need before I can renew my South Carolina residential builder license?

Do South Carolina residential builders need continuing education to renew?

No: Title 40, Chapter 59 lets the Commission require CE by regulation, and its regulations (Chapter 106) set none.

What if I missed the June 30 renewal deadline?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (RBC), Renew My License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other South Carolina guides

All South Carolina guides on one page

General contractor guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for general contractors

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet