Moving to South Carolina as a residential contractor: every state's rule

1. 1Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. South Carolina Residential Builder technical exam (PSI): 110 questions, 6 hours, open book, 70 percent to pass. Not required on the two exam-waiver routes, which lead to a limited license without the mechanical trades..
2. 2Law / code exam. Pass a law, rules, or code exam. Business Management and Law for Residential Builders exam (PSI): 50 questions, 2 hours, open book, scaled score of 68 to pass. Required on every route..
3. 3Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($98). PSI fee for both portions of the Residential Builder exam, per attempt; a single portion is $78. Paid to PSI after the Commission issues your exam eligibility letter..
4. 4Application fee. Pay the application fee ($135). Non-refundable application fee, paid at the end of the online application or by check or money order payable to SCRBC with a paper application.
5. 5License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($220). Residential Builder license fee, paid after you pass the exams and the Commission approves the application.
6. 6Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($15,000). Surety bond of $15,000 on the Commission’s form with the individual named as principal (not a company), with the surety’s and principal’s original signatures, the surety seal and the power of attorney attached.
7. 7Financial responsibility. Show financial responsibility. Complete credit report from TransUnion, Equifax or Experian dated no more than 30 days before the application, reviewed for liens and outstanding judgments. No minimum score or net worth is published..
8. 8Business license. Obtain a business license (if applicable). Only if you will work under a company name: a Certificate of Existence or Certificate of Authority from the SC Secretary of State, the articles of incorporation or organization and proof of ownership. You must own at least 51 percent; otherwise the company applies for its own Certificate of Authorization..
9. 9Background check. Complete a background check (if applicable). Only if you answer yes to the criminal conviction question: a criminal background report from the state where the conviction occurred (SLED for South Carolina), dated within 30 days of the application, with an explanatory statement.
10. 10Other. Copy of a driver’s license, state ID, passport or military ID, a copy of your Social Security card, a notarized Verification of Lawful Presence, and a license verification sent directly to the Commission by any other state where you hold or held a building-related license.

Published fees on this path total $453, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.