Plumber / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the South Carolina data shows for Plumbers

To practice as a plumber in South Carolina, the state licensing board requires 4,865 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, and 4 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under South Carolina's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

The initial price tag is $88, and renewal costs $78 every 1 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 1-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, plumbers should know: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
31/100
Plumber · South Carolina

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
4,865 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C+
$88
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$78/yr
$78 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
4,865 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$88
Renewal Fee
$78
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Plumber All South Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina's requirements cover 4865 hours of education or training, the State Journeyman Plumber Exam exam, and an initial fee of $88. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina licenses plumbers who complete its requirements (4865 education hours, 4 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the South Carolina licensing board.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to South Carolina from another state? ▼
Plumber licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The South Carolina licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for plumber licensing in South Carolina. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina ties continued plumber licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 1 year, alongside a $78 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

Plumber in South Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a plumber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how South Carolina's plumber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Plumber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state plumber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how South Carolina's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. South Carolina overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the South Carolina licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.