Who requires it
South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (LLR)
License & permit · South Carolina
South Carolina Residential Builders Commission Bond
Residential builders and specialty contractors file surety with the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission under Chapter 59. Commission practice uses fixed amounts—$15,000 for builders and certificates of authorization, $10,000 for licensed electrical/HVAC/plumbing specialty, and $5,000 for specialty registrants—on the current Commission bond form.
Common bond amount
$5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000
Match your credential: registrant $5,000, licensed specialty $10,000, builder or certificate of authorization $15,000 per current Commission practice.
How you file
Upload the Commission license bond form (or a continuation) through LLR
Renewal
Keep an active bond on file for renewal
Who requires it
Residential builder applicants and renewing licensees need a Commission-approved bond of not less than $15,000 or other proof of financial responsibility the Commission accepts. Licensed specialty contractors (electrical, HVAC, plumbing) and specialty registrants must post a Commission-approved bond when an undertaking for an individual property owner crosses the statutory $5,000 cost threshold. Firms practicing through a residential business certificate of authorization post a $15,000 firm bond under § 40-59-410.
How much is required
Chapter 59 establishes a builder bond floor of not less than $15,000 and requires a Commission-approved specialty bond when an undertaking for an individual owner exceeds $5,000. Commission practice provides the amounts currently used on Commission materials: $15,000 for builders (and certificate-of-authorization bonds), $10,000 for licensed electrical/HVAC/plumbing specialty, and $5,000 for specialty registrants. Confirm the amount on the form you are filing.
How to get and file it
Use the current Residential Builders Commission license bond form. Commission instructions generally require the bond in your name—not a company name—unless it is a certificate-of-authorization bond. Attach the power of attorney. Upload the original or continuation certificate through LLR Document Submission when the Commission accepts electronic filings, or follow the paper path on the current checklist. Builders must keep the required bond on file. Before online renewal, confirm the Commission already has a current bond or continuation. If the bond ends on or before the renewal cycle the Commission posts, upload a new bond or continuation first. Keep specialty bonds aligned with work that triggers the $5,000 threshold rules.
Cost note
The $5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000 figures are the required bond amount, not the premium you pay. See bond amount vs premium. Bond amount vs premium →
Requirement checklist
- Residential builder / COA
- $15,000 on the Commission-approved form
- Licensed specialty (electrical / HVAC / plumbing)
- $10,000 when the Chapter 59 cost threshold applies
- Specialty registrant
- $5,000 when the Chapter 59 cost threshold applies
- Form
- Current Residential Builders Commission License Bond PDF
Official sources
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a CLB commercial bond for a Residential Builders Commission license?
No. Different statutes, agencies, and forms. File the Commission bond the residential packet requires.
Is the builder bond different from the specialty contractor bond?
Yes in amount and credential. Builders and certificates of authorization use $15,000; licensed electrical, HVAC, and plumbing specialty use $10,000; specialty registrants use $5,000 when the Chapter 59 cost threshold applies. All file with the same Commission.
Surety basics (not repeated here)
Universal surety concepts explained once—linked here instead of repeated on every state or bond page.
Continue with a South Carolina application
South Carolina will be preselected. Choose your bond type in the application—we confirm the correct product against your agency form before anything is issued.
Last verified 2026-08-07. This guide is based on verified educational content and official sources.
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