Licensed jobs in South Carolina
South Carolina: 11 occupations, 10 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in South Carolina
South Carolina licenses 11 of the 11 occupations below at the state level. Real estate agents have the most levels here (5 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 3 credentials in all | Board of Cosmetology | Training 1,500 clock hours1 | – | Every 2 years1 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 2 credentials in all | SOS | – | $254 | Every 10 years5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse (RN), single-state license (South Carolina only) 3 credentials in all | Board of Nursing | – | $907 | Every 2 years8 |
| Insurance agent | Resident producer (insurance producer license) 3 credentials in all | SCDOI | – | $259 | Every 2 years10 |
| Plumber | Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing subclassification (license issued to an entity by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board, license groups 1-5) 2 credentials in all | South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board | Experience 2 years12 | $3507 | Every 2 years12 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), listed on the South Carolina Registry of Certified Nurse Aides 2 credentials in all | South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services | Training 75 clock hours14 | – | – |
| Electrician | Mechanical Contractor - Electrical subclassification (license issued to an entity by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board, license groups 1-5) 2 credentials in all | South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board | Experience 2 years12 | $3507 | Every 2 years12 |
| Security guard | Private Security Officer Registration (unarmed) 4 credentials in all | SLED | Training 4 clock hours15 | $6515 | Every year15 |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapy Establishment license 4 credentials in all | Board of Massage Therapy | – | – | Every 2 years16 |
| Real estate agent | Associate 5 credentials in all | South Carolina Real Estate Commission | Training 60 clock hours17 | $2517 | Every 2 years17 |
| General contractor | General Contractor (license issued to an entity by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board, in license groups 1-5 and classifications such as General Contractors-Building) 3 credentials in all | South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board | Experience 2 years12 | $3507 | Every 2 years12 |
Licensing boards
10 agencies issue the South Carolina licenses we cover:
- South Carolina Real Estate Commission: real estate agents
- South Carolina Residential Builders Commission: plumbers, electricians and general contractors
- South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED): security guards
- Board of Massage Therapy: massage therapists
- Board of Cosmetology: cosmetologists
- Board of Nursing: registered nurses
- South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI): insurance agents
- South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board: plumbers, electricians and general contractors
- South Carolina Secretary of State (SOS): notaries
- South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: nursing assistants
Moving to South Carolina with a license
No South Carolina board we cover publishes a list of accepted states for the main license. The boards for notaries, nursing assistants, security guards and massage therapists publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses23 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route6 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses83 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver11 |
| Plumber | Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses1213 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | – |
| Electrician | Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses1213 |
| Security guard | – |
| Massage therapist | No reciprocity route16 |
| Real estate agent | Reciprocity agreements and Exam waiver17 |
| General contractor | Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses1213 |
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 13 - Cosmetologists, Estheticians, and Nail TechniciansSouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code of Regulations Chapter 35 - Board of CosmetologySouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 1 Professions and Occupations (general provisions)South Carolina LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
- South Carolina Application/Renewal for Notary Public (June 2024)South Carolina Secretary of State (form hosted by Horry County Legislative Delegation)Checked November 7, 2026
- South Carolina Notary Public Reference Manual (2024)South Carolina Secretary of State (manual hosted by Horry County Legislative Delegation)Checked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 26 Chapter 1 - Notaries PublicSouth Carolina Legislature (Legislative Council)Checked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code of Regulations Chapter 10 Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (board fees)South Carolina LegislatureDated June 26, 2015Checked November 8, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 33 Nurse Practice ActSouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
- Producer (SCDOI producer licensing page, resident and non-resident tabs)South Carolina Department of InsuranceChecked November 8, 2026
- License RenewalSouth Carolina Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 38 Chapter 43South Carolina LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 11 - ContractorsSouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 1 - Professions and OccupationsSouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- 42 CFR 483.35 and 483.151-483.158 (nurse aide training, competency evaluation and registry)Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)Checked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code of Regulations Chapter 73 (State Law Enforcement Division)South Carolina Legislative Services Agency (S.C. Code of Regulations)Checked November 7, 2026
- South Carolina Code of Laws Title 40 Chapter 30 Massage Therapy PracticeSouth Carolina Legislative Services AgencyChecked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 57 Real Estate Brokers, Associates, and Property ManagersSouth Carolina Legislature (Legislative Services Agency), Code of Laws Title 40 Chapter 57Checked November 6, 2026