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Handyman License Requirements in Myrtle Beach, SC

By , Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · South Carolina rules checked November 2, 2026 · Myrtle Beach local rules checked November 2, 2026

City business license from Business License Division (Financial Services Dept., 921 N Oak St, 843-918-1200), renewals due April 30; Horry County Treasurer business license only for work in unincorporated Horry County ('outside the city limits'); City Master Trade Card from Construction Services required before trade permits.

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Myrtle Beach requirements

City business license from Business License Division (Financial Services Dept., 921 N Oak St, 843-918-1200), renewals due April 30; Horry County Treasurer business license only for work in unincorporated Horry County ('outside the city limits'); City Master Trade Card from Construction Services required before trade permits.

Source link: cityofmyrtlebeach.com · cityofmyrtlebeach.com · cms6.revize.com · checked November 2, 2026

Local business license

Required

  • Name: City of Myrtle Beach Business License
  • Office: Business License Division, Financial Services Department, City Services Building, 921 North Oak Street; 843-918-1200; buslic@cityofmyrtlebeach.com
  • Fee: Not stated on page fetched; renewals due April 30 (5%/month penalty after)
"The Business License Division is housed within the Financial Services Department at the City Services Building, 921 North Oak Street. ... All regulatory permits issued by the State of South Carolina, if applicable. Examples include ... LLR License for Contractors ... City Trade Cards"

Source: cityofmyrtlebeach.com · checked November 2, 2026

Local contractor or handyman license

Depends

  • Name: City of Myrtle Beach Master Trade Card (Construction Services Department)
  • Applies when: CONDITIONAL
  • Trigger: Pulling electrical/plumbing/gas/mechanical trade permits in the city
"Submit all electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical trade permits and trade card applications to permittech@cityofmyrtlebeach.com. ... They must also possess a City of Myrtle Beach Master Trade Card before the trade permit(s) are issued."

Source: cityofmyrtlebeach.com · checked November 2, 2026

County: Horry 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)

$500
South Carolina job-size figure

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

  1. 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).
  2. Line up the Myrtle Beach items listed on this page.
  3. 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.