South CarolinaElectrician License Requirements

South Carolina has an unusually split licensing structure with residential and commercial electrical work governed by two different boards. The state does not license individual electricians — journeyman and master certifications are handled at the municipal level, with the certification provider changing from MASC to Carolinas AGC (CAGC) as of January 1, 2026. Notably, no continuing education is required for renewal, and trade school or college degrees cannot substitute for hands-on experience.

South Carolina has a split licensing structure: residential electrical work (over $500) is licensed through the Residential Builders Commission (LLR), while commercial electrical work (over $10,000) requires a Mechanical Contractor license from the separate SC Contractor's Licensing Board.

Individual journeyman/master electrician certifications are issued at the municipal level, not by the state. As of January 1, 2026, Carolinas AGC (CAGC) replaced MASC as the certification program provider.

Two exams required for residential license: Business Management & Law + Residential Electrical Technical Examination.

Technical exam: 60 multiple-choice questions, open-book, 3-hour time limit, 73.3% passing (44 out of 60 correct).

Trade school or college degrees do NOT substitute for hands-on experience. If less than 1 year of supervised experience, applicant must appear before the Commission.

Technical exam waived for holders of: current SC Mechanical Contractor EL classification, current Master Residential/Master Electrician Certification (MASC/CAGC), or license from eligible reciprocity state.

No continuing education is currently required for SC residential electrical license renewal.

Lapsed more than 3 years requires new application with reexamination.

Workers' compensation required if employing 4 or more employees.

The fees shown ($370 total initial) apply to the residential electrical contractor license through the SC Residential Builders Commission. Commercial electrical work over $10,000 is licensed separately through the SC Contractor's Licensing Board. Individual journeyman/master electricians are certified at the municipal level through Carolinas AGC (CAGC) as of January 1, 2026 (previously MASC).

SC has a split licensing structure: Residential Builders Commission (LLR) handles residential work over $500. Contractor's Licensing Board handles commercial work over $10,000. Individual electrician certification is municipal through CAGC.

If license lapsed more than 3 years, applicant must apply as new applicant with reexamination.

Master Residential Electrician Certification or Master Electrician Certification issued by examination by MASC (through Dec 2025) or by CAGC after January 1, 2026.