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How to become a licensed plumber in South Carolina. State-level licensing required. 8,000 apprenticeship hours required. Total initial fees: $190. Verified 2026-04-03. Data verified 2026-04-03. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Plumber
Governing Authority
SC Dept of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR): Residential Builders Commission (residential) + Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) + Municipal Association of SC (MASC — individual J/M certifications)
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
8,000
Apprentice Hours
4
License Levels
$190
Total Fees
0 hrs
CE Hours
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Code Version
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VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the SC Dept of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR): Residential Builders Commission (residential) + Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial) + Municipal Association of SC (MASC — individual J/M certifications)
Apprenticeship Program
8,000
Total Hours
4 yrs
Duration
576
Classroom Hours
7,424
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
Browse approved plumber training programs in South Carolina.
Browse Plumber study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
MASC Journeyman: 2 years experience (2-year degree = 1 year credit); Residential Specialty: 1 year full-time in past 5 years under licensed plumber; Mechanical Contractor PB: 2 years in past 5 years
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
MASC Master: Additional experience beyond journeyman; renewal $50 every 2 years
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
PSI (state exams) / Prov (MASC exams)
Plumbing Code Version
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
South Carolina has 34% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
South Carolina has below-average plumbers density — strong demand for new plumbers.
South Carolina ranks #48 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice registration fee | $25 |
Journeyman License MASC journeyman application fee; exam $100 (Prov); Residential Specialty app $100 + license $80-$160 | $25 |
Exam Fee MASC exam $100 via Prov; PSI state exams $75 each section | $100 (MASC/Prov) / $75 per section (PSI for contractor) |
Renewal Fee MASC journeyman $20/year; Mechanical Contractor PB $350 biennial (Oct 31 odd years) | $20 (MASC J/yr) / $350 (Mechanical Contractor, Oct 31 odd years) |
Total Initial Fees Estimated total for apprentice registration + journeyman license + exam | $190 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0
CE Hours Required
$40
Renewal Fee
No CE Requirement
Renewal fee per 2 years
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Use our reciprocity lookup tool to compare license transfer options across all 50 states.
COMPLEX MULTI-TRACK SYSTEM: 3 separate licensing paths through different authorities — Residential Builders Commission (residential >$200), Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial >$5,000), MASC (individual J/M certifications). Residential Specialty exam can be waived if holding current SC Mechanical Contractor PB for 1+ year.
COMPLEX MULTI-TRACK SYSTEM: 3 separate licensing paths — Residential Builders Commission (residential >$200), Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial >$5,000), MASC (individual J/M certifications)
MASC certifications are individual competency credentials, NOT contractor licenses
Residential Specialty can be obtained without exam if holding current SC Mechanical Contractor PB for 1+ year
Residential requires $10,000 surety bond for projects >$5,000
No CE requirement for plumbing
Uses SC State Plumbing Code (based on IPC)
Technical Exam Waiver with multiple states (B&L exam still required)
NASCLA Accredited Exam accepted for some classifications
Residential renewal: June 30 odd years; Commercial renewal: October 31 odd years
Plumber Schools in South Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#44 of 51
Cost
#5 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152)
Entry Level
$43,060
25th percentile
Median
$54,840
-13% vs. national avg ($62,970)Experienced
$65,210
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
5,480 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters" includes pipefitters and steamfitters in addition to plumbers. Wages for plumbers specifically may differ.
Source: BLS OEWS – Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.4%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+27,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
39,200
per year (avg.)
510,500 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Plumbing Career Ladder+35% salary growth potential
You are here
Plumber (Journeyman)
$54,840
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Plumber (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$54,840
Master plumber 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: 212–222 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: South Carolina LLR - Residential Builders Commission
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: South Carolina LLR - Residential Builders Commission
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Plumber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (you) | $190 | 212–222 wks | |
| Georgia | $250 | 212–222 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $240 | 212–222 wks | → |
South Carolina ranks #16 out of 45 for lowest plumber licensing fees ($190). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours · Fewest Apprenticeship Hours
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Study guides and code practice tests for the plumber licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in South Carolina
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Carolina.
Accessed 2026-03-24
Accessed 2026-03-06
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