South Carolina · Contractor Licensing
South Carolina Contractor Exam Study Plan
South Carolina commercial and residential contractor paths through PSI typically require both a trade exam and a separate Business Management & Law exam. Exams are commonly open-book — tab your references early and practice navigation under time pressure.
Reference list (confirm editions with PSI bulletin)
Book List Confidence: Medium — verify the SC edition of the Business guide and allowed references before purchasing.
Topic emphasis
- IBC/IRC with SC amendments — wind uplift, flood-resistant design, seismic detailing
- Lien law (Title 29) — filing deadlines and prompt-pay requirements
- Business & Law — licensing statutes, unemployment insurance, OSHA coastal cleanup safety
- Lookup speed — open-book exams reward fast navigation, not just content review
Suggested 30-day study plan
- Week 1 — Confirm classification and NASCLA eligibility; tab trade and B&L references; practice navigation under time.
- Week 2 — IBC/IRC wind and flood chapters; daily timed lookup drills.
- Week 3 — Business & Law: lien law, licensing, payroll; alternate trade and B&L timed sets.
- Week 4 — Full timed simulation for each module; review repeat misses; confirm PSI authorization.
Common South Carolina confusion
- Two exams. Most commercial contractor paths require trade + Business Management & Law — confirm with the B&L checker.
- NASCLA covers trade only. You typically still need the SC-specific Business & Law exam.
- SC edition required. Buy the South Carolina edition of the NASCLA Business guide — generic editions may not be allowed.
- Coastal wind rules. Hurricane-prone detailing shows up frequently — prioritize uplift and flood sections in practice.