Are you contemplating a career in plumbing?
Becoming a plumber is an excellent career move for those unafraid to roll up their sleeves and tackle hands-on work.
Plumbers act as the unsung heroes of our homes, akin to medics ensuring the seamless operation of systems responsible for heating, sanitation, and water supply.
They’re the first responders to a bursting pipe or any unforeseen damage.
In this article, we’ll guide you through all the essential information you need to pursue a plumbing career in South Carolina.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in South Carolina – Step by Step
There are no age or education level requirements to begin your plumbing journey in South Carolina.
And like in most other states, South Carolina requires a certain level of training and experience before you can get licensed as a plumber.
You can obtain your plumbing training in one of the following ways:
- enroll in a Board approved apprenticeship program
- work directly under the supervision of a licensed plumbing professional, who will also be your mentor
- earn a certificate or diploma by enrolling in a community or technical college, vocational school, plumber specific programs
South Carolina issues the following plumbing licenses:
- Residential Plumber License
- Commercial Plumber License
Residential Plumber License
To apply for the Residential Plumber License you are required to obtain at least 1 year of full-time work experience under the supervision of a licensed plumber.
This experience should be gained within the last 5 years.
Submit the application form and pay the $100 application fee.
After you receive your Examination Eligibility Letter you will go on, and take the residential plumbing exam.
The exam consists of 2 portions:
- Residential Plumber Trade Exam
- Business Management & Law
The exam fee is $75 for one portion and $90 for two portions.
The Residential Plumber Trade exam is an open-book exam that consists of 65 questions, and it has a 3-hour time limit.
The exam covers the following topics:
- General plumbing knowledge and regulations
- Piping, valves, and controls
- Fixtures and equipment
- Water supply
- Drain, waste, vent, and sewers
- Isometric analysis
- Safety
- Specialty applications
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam.
The Business Management & Law exam is an open-book exam that consists of 50 questions and has a 2-hour time limit.
The exam covers the following topics:
- Business management
- Licensing laws and rules
- Estimating and bidding
- Contracts and agreements
- Project management
- Insurance and bonding
- Safety recordkeeping and reporting
- Labor laws and employment regulations
- Financial management
- Tax laws
- Liens
- Environmental laws and regulations
You need a score of 68% or higher to pass this portion of the exam.
After passing both portions of the exam you will go on to receive your Residential Plumber License.
The licensure fee differs depending on when you take it out.
If the license is granted on July 1, odd-numbered year, through June 30, even-numbered year, the fee is $160.
If the license is granted on July 1, even year, through June 30, odd year, the fee is $80.
Commercial Plumber License
To apply for the Commercial Plumber License, you must have at least 2 years of full-time experience working in the commercial plumbing field, within the last 5 years.
Submit the application form and pay the application fee.
After you receive your Examination Eligibility Letter you will go on, and take the commercial plumbing exam.
The exam consists of 2 portions:
- Plumbing Technical Exam
- Business Management & Law
There is an additional exam fee, $75 per exam portion or $150 total.
Plumbing Technical Exam
The Plumbing Technical exam is an open-book exam that consists of 80 questions and has a 4-hour time limit.
Topics on the exam include:
- ADA Accessibility
- General plumbing knowledge and regulations
- Hangers and supports
- Materials
- Joints and connections
- Fixtures and equipment
- Water heaters
- Backflow prevention
- Sanitary drainage systems
- Cleanouts
- Indirect and special waste
- Sanitary venting
- Traps and interceptors
- Storm piping systems
- Plumbing-developed length
- DWV isometric analysis
- Water supply isometric analysis
- Roof drain isometric analysis
- Pipe assembly
- Valves
- General fuel knowledge
- Natural gas
- LP-gas
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam.
Business Management & Law Exam
The Business Management & Law portion of the exam is an open-book exam that consists of 50 questions and has a 125-minute time limit.
Topics on the exam include:
- Business management
- Licensing laws and rules
- Estimating and bidding
- Contracts and agreements
- Project management
- Insurance and bonding
- Safety recordkeeping and reporting
- Labor laws and employment regulations
- Financial management
- Tax laws
- Liens
- Environmental laws and regulations
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass this portion of the exam.
After passing your exam you should submit a completed licensure application along with the following items to the CLB:
- Score report,
- Financial statement or surety bond
- License fee
- Business registration
The licensing fee differs depending on when you apply for it.
if you get the license on or before August 1, an odd-numbered year, and July 31, an even-numbered year, the fee is $350
if you get the license on or before August 1, even-numbered year, and July 31, odd-numbered year, the fee is $175.
Plumbing Schools in South Carolina
South Carolina offers great vocational schools, apprenticeship programs, and exam prep programs for aspiring plumbers.
Plumbers Training Institute
Plumbers Training Institute offers South Carolina Online Plumbing Courses.
They offer online exam prep courses for both Residential and Commercial plumbers. 
Their Residential Plumber package contains:
- South Carolina Residential Plumber Exam Prep Course
- South Carolina Business Management & Law Exam Prep Course
- Book: South Carolina International Plumbing Code 2018
- Book: International Residential Code 2018
- Book: 29 CFR Part 1926 – Code of Federal Regulations
- Pre-printed tabs for all books
The regular price for this package is $797.
Their Commercial Plumber package contains:
- South Carolina Commercial Plumber Exam Prep Course
- South Carolina Business Management & Law Exam Prep Course
- Book: South Carolina International Plumbing Code 2018
- Book: South Carolina International Fuel Gas Code 2018
- Book: Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, 8th edition 2013
- South Carolina Excavator Manual Amendments
- Pre-printed tabs for all books
The regular price for this package is $1093.
To learn more about their courses and how to purchase them visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Plumbers Training Institute | Online |
Salary
Plumbers in South Carolina are paid fairly for their hard work to keep the community’s plumbing systems running smoothly.
Annual wages currently vary anywhere from $44960 up to $76266.
The current annual average wage around the state is $60553.
The city with the current highest annual wage is Rock Hill with $63131.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Rock Hill | $63,131 |
| Charleston | $60,908 |
| North Charleston | $60,908 |
| Mount Pleasant | $60,908 |
| Greenville | $60,604 |
| Spartanburg | $60,283 |
| Hilton Head Island | $59,878 |
| Columbia | $59,432 |
| Florence | $57,814 |
| Sumter | $57,352 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 900 | $51,500 | $24.76 | $69,670 | $36,690 |
| Columbia, SC | 820 | $47,440 | $22.81 | $66,050 | $30,600 |
| Florence, SC | 160 | $46,820 | $22.51 | $63,200 | $33,610 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 900 | $52,030 | $25.02 | $71,270 | $36,490 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 210 | $48,930 | $23.52 | $71,560 | $31,330 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 470 | $47,050 | $22.62 | $68,870 | $28,910 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 230 | $51,750 | $24.88 | $69,570 | $35,500 |
| Sumter, SC | 60 | $46,410 | $22.31 | $64,080 | $28,300 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the plumbing exams being taken in South Carolina?
You can take all the plumbing exams in South Carolina in one of the following cities:
- Beaufort
- Charleston
- Charlotte
- Columbia
- Greensville
- Myrtle Beach
What happens If I fail my plumbing exam?
Within a year after the date on your eligibility letter, you must pass your exams.
You must retake a test if you don’t pass it.
You will need to reapply for licensing if you fail both of the exams in three opportunities.
When should I renew my plumbing license in South Carolina?
Different licenses expire on different dates.
Residential Plumbing Contractor licenses expire on June 30th every odd-numbered year, so you should renew it by then.
Commercial Plumbing Contractor licenses expire on October 31st of every odd-numbered year, so you should renew your license by then.
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