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How to become a licensed electrician in South Carolina. Local jurisdictions handle licensing. Total initial fees: $370. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Governing Authority
South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (under SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - LLR)
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
80% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
No
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
0 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
No
Regulation Level
hybrid
License Types
Notes
Residential electrical work over $500 requires licensing through the SC Residential Builders Commission (under LLR). Commercial electrical work over $10,000 falls under the separate SC Contractor's Licensing Board (Mechanical Contractor license). Individual journeyman/master electricians are certified at the municipal level through Carolinas AGC (CAGC) as of Jan 1, 2026 (previously MASC).
Hybrid: State Contractor License + Local Electrician Licenses
Regulated by the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (under SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - LLR)
South Carolina issues electrical contractor licenses at the state level, but journeyman and master electrician licenses are issued by local cities and counties. Requirements for individual electrician licenses vary by jurisdiction.
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
1
Years
The exam information below applies to the state-level contractor exam. Journeyman and master electrician exams are administered by local jurisdictions and requirements vary.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Journeyman Exam
Not Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services
NEC Version
2020 NEC (used for all electrical examinations)
Open Book
Yes
Retake Policy
Trade exam may only be taken 3 times in a 12-month period.
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Fees vary by local jurisdiction. Ranges shown are typical but not universal.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee Per exam, paid directly to PSI. Two exams required (Business Management & Law + Residential Electrical Technical). (varies by jurisdiction) | |
Renewal Fee $50 if renewed within 12 months; $100 if more than 12 months lapsed (varies by jurisdiction) | |
Typical Total Initial Fees Not a statewide figure — actual total depends on your municipality |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (biennial, expires June 30 of odd years)
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$50 - $100
$50 if renewed within 12 months; $100 if more than 12 months lapsed. Lapsed more than 3 years requires reapplication and reexamination.
Regulatory Board
Electrician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering NEC code updates, safety practices, and applicable state/local amendments.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Endorsement
Transfer Details
Technical exam waiver available for applicants holding a current license obtained by examination in an eligible state for 1+ year. NC has a specific reciprocity application for SC. Grandfathered licensees do not qualify. Business Management & Law exam still required.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Electrician license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced electricians, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Carolina.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#44 of 51
Cost
#3 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$47,200
25th percentile
Median
$58,260
-7% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$65,010
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
7,830 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Electricians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+60,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
68,500
per year (avg.)
839,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+27% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$58,260
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$58,260
Master electrician license + contractor license
$74,240
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: South Carolina Residential Builders Commission — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: South Carolina Residential Builders Commission — Licensing Requirements
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Current official page
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Official homepage
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Official exam page
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PSI official document
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Industry reference
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Surety bonds guide
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Official reciprocity form
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South Carolina handles electrician licensing at the local level. All licensing is managed through the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (under SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - LLR).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.