Handyman License Requirements in Anderson, SC
Anderson County: 'Currently, Anderson County does not require a county business license.'
Anderson requirements
Anderson County: 'Currently, Anderson County does not require a county business license.'
Source link: cityofandersonsc.com · andersoncountysc.org · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: City of Anderson Business License
- Office: Business License Office, Municipal Business Center, 601 S. Main St., Anderson (resident businesses first need an occupancy / home occupancy permit from Building Inspection, 864-231-2217)
- Fee: Based on gross revenues per the Classification and Rate schedule of the Business License Ordinance; non-resident fees based on revenues/contracts within the city, not prorated; license year May 1-Apr 30
"The City of Anderson Business License Ordinance requires that anyone who operates a business inside the City must obtain a business license. The city ordinance also requires that anyone who has a business located outside of city limits, but conducts business within the City, must obtain a business license."
Source: cityofandersonsc.com · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
Our check could not confirm this from an official page, so we don't state it. Ask the city or county office.
County: Anderson County
The South Carolina rule
Regulator: South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR): South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential builders and residential specialty contractors); South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (general and mechanical contractors, Title 40 Ch. 11)
Tiered. Residential specialty contractor (trades incl. carpenters, drywall, painters/wallpaperers, floor covering, roofers, masons, insulation, siding, stucco, plumbers, electricians, HVAC) is required 'when the undertakings exceed five hundred dollars' (i.e., $500 or less is exempt; over $500 requires registration, or an exam-based license for plumbing/electrical/HVAC). Residential builder license required 'when the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars'. Registration limited to 3 trade classifications; more than 3 requires a residential builder license. Chapter 11 (Contractor's Licensing Board): license required where 'the total cost of construction is greater than ten thousand dollars' for general or mechanical contracting (raised from $5,000 by 2023 Act No. 69, eff May 19, 2023).
What counts toward it: labor+materials (40-59-240(D) bond rule says 'total cost of materials and labor'; the definitions in 40-59-20 say 'undertakings exceed' / 'cost of the undertaking exceeds' without itemizing - treat as total job cost)
"when the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars. Anyone who engages or offers to engage in such undertaking in this State is considered to have engaged in the business of residential building."
Source: scstatehouse.gov · scstatehouse.gov · checked November 2, 2026
State registration
Residential Specialty Contractor Registration (RBS) with the Residential Builders Commission for non-exam trades over $500; no exam required for registered trades; application fee $100, renewal $100. Max 3 trade classifications. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC installers/repairers must pass an exam for a specialty contractor license. Business entities: residential business certificate of authorization (40-59-400/410; details not reviewed).
Source: llr.sc.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Insurance and bond
Residential specialty contractor: when total cost of materials and labor for an individual property owner exceeds $5,000, must obtain a surety bond in an amount approved by the commission (LLR application package: bond 'in the amount of $5,000'). No state general-liability insurance amount found.
Source: scstatehouse.gov · llr.sc.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Forming an LLC in South Carolina
State filing fee: $110.
Source: scstatehouse.gov · checked November 2, 2026
What to do, in order
- Read the South Carolina rule and confirm with South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR): South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential builders and residential specialty contractors); South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (general and mechanical contractors, Title 40 Ch. 11).
- Line up the Anderson items listed on this page.
- Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.
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