Who licenses plumbers in South Carolina
| Type of work | Licensing body (SC LLR) | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing in homes | Residential Builders Commission | A residential specialty contractor license or registration with a plumbing classification |
| Larger or commercial plumbing contracts | Contractor's Licensing Board | A mechanical contractor license with a plumbing classification. The cost level that triggers it was raised in 2023. |
| Work inside some city limits | The city itself | A city business license as well, for example inside Simpsonville |
How to check a license, step by step
- Ask on the call: "What's your South Carolina license number, and what name is it under?" A real company answers without hesitating.
- Open SC LLR's license lookup. Search "SC LLR license lookup" and use the official llr.sc.gov site.
- Search by number or by business name. Choose the residential builders or contractor's licensing board when asked.
- Check four things: the status is active, the classification includes plumbing, the name matches the company or person coming out, and there's no disciplinary note you'd want to read first.
- Write it on the estimate. Ask that the license number appear on the written price or invoice.
Need a plumber? Call, then check the license
Insurance: ask for the certificate
A license and insurance are two different things. Before a bigger job, ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage. The insurer can send it to you directly. If the company has employees, also ask about workers' compensation, so an injury on your property isn't your problem. A company that does this work every day can send the certificate the same day.
Licensed plumbers pull permits
Water heater replacements, repipes and sewer line replacements usually need a permit from your city or Greenville County Building Safety, (864) 467-7060. Permit offices generally only issue plumbing permits to properly licensed contractors, so "we'll skip the permit" is often a sign of something else being skipped too. Mauldin requires a permit for any water heater replacement; Simpsonville requires a city business license before it issues one.
Red flags
- No license number, or "I'll text it to you later."
- The license is under a different name than the business on the truck or invoice.
- A cash-only price that's far below other quotes, with no permit.
- Pressure to decide on the spot for a job that isn't an emergency.
- A large deposit up front for a routine repair.
Plumber or handyman?
A handyman can often swap a toilet flapper or a faucet cartridge. Anything involving gas lines, water heaters, sewer lines, new or relocated supply lines, or work that needs a permit belongs with a licensed plumber. If in doubt, ask the handyman whether the job needs a licensed plumber or a permit; a good one will tell you.
About the companies on our line
Calls to the number on this site go to independent plumbing companies, not to us. We tell every caller to ask for the license number and check it, the same way you would with any company you found yourself. See how it works and our guide to choosing a plumber in Greenville.
Ready to call a local plumber?
Plumber license questions
Do plumbers need a license in South Carolina?
Yes. Plumbing contractors are licensed by SC LLR: home work through the Residential Builders Commission, and larger or commercial contracts through the Contractor's Licensing Board.
How do I look up a plumber's license in SC?
Use SC LLR's online license lookup on llr.sc.gov. Search by license number or business name and check that the status is active and the classification includes plumbing.
Is a business license the same as a plumbing license?
No. A city business license lets a company operate in that city; it doesn't show the company is qualified to do plumbing. Check the state LLR license as well.
What if the plumber's license is expired?
Don't hire them for the job until it's renewed. An expired license can also mean the permit office won't issue a permit to them.
Can I report an unlicensed plumber in SC?
Yes. SC LLR accepts complaints about unlicensed contracting through its website. Keep any texts, estimates and receipts.
Should a plumber show proof of insurance?
For any sizable job, yes. Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance, sent by the insurer, before work begins.
Sources
- SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation: Residential Builders Commission and Contractor's Licensing Board licensing pages; CLB 2023 legislative update (Act 69).
- City of Mauldin permit requirements; City of Simpsonville building permit acknowledgement (business license requirement); Greenville County Building Safety.
Page history
October 2026: first published.