South Carolina contractor law only: each answer shows the Code section it was written from.
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board. Bank checked October 12, 2026.
What the candidate bulletin says about the exam
Questions
50
To pass
35 of 50 right
Time limit
125 minutes
Fee
$75
Format
Open book, on a computer at a test center. Up to ten unscored trial questions may be added.
Who takes it
Every commercial general and mechanical contractor candidate except fire alarm and burglar alarm candidates, along with the technical examination of the classif
Content outline
Business management 2 questions; estimating and bidding 10; contracts and agreements 12; project management 5; insurance and bonding 2; safety recordkeeping and
Retakes
This examination can be taken any number of times in a 12-month period.
On this page
Questions on the law only. Estimating, project management, financial management and the other reference-book subjects are not asked.
A licensed entity changes its federal employer identification number and does not report it in time. What follows?S.C. Code § 40-11-240(D), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A licensee becomes subject to the bankruptcy laws. Within how many days must it notify the board?S.C. Code § 40-11-380, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A primary qualifying party leaves a licensee. Within how many days must the department be told in writing?S.C. Code § 40-11-230(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A primary qualifying party passed only the limited building contractor examination. What limit applies to structures the licensee builds?S.C. Code § 40-11-230(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A qualifying party wants to be primary qualifying party for two entities. What ownership does the statute require?S.C. Code § 40-11-230(C), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Above what total cost of construction does general contracting work in South Carolina require a license under Chapter 11?S.C. Code § 40-11-30, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
After proper notice that its primary qualifying party has left, how long does a license stay in good standing?S.C. Code § 40-11-230(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Show all 86 questions (79 more)
Licenses and qualifying parties, continued
An individual has not been certified as a qualifying party for how long before the board may require the examinations again?S.C. Code § 40-11-230(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How long is a board member's term?S.C. Code § 40-11-10(C), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How many members sit on the Contractor's Licensing Board, and how many of them must be licensed contractors?S.C. Code § 40-11-10(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How often may an individual take an examination in one license classification?S.C. Code § 40-11-230(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How often may contractor licenses be renewed?S.C. Code § 40-11-250(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What employment experience must a primary qualifying party verify by affidavit?S.C. Code § 40-11-230(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What grade must a qualifying party applicant reach on the examination of South Carolina law regulating general and mechanical contracting?S.C. Code § 40-11-230(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Which body does Chapter 11 create to license general and mechanical contractors?S.C. Code § 40-11-10(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Within what period after expiration may a lapsed license still be renewed by filing a renewal application with renewal and late fees?S.C. Code § 40-11-250(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
License groups, bids and prime contractors 15
A contractor bids without the required license, then gets licensed. May the same bid be resubmitted?S.C. Code § 40-11-200(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A contractor licensed in the Building classification wants to be sole prime contractor. What share of the work must fall under its own classifications?S.C. Code § 40-11-340, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A general contractor holds a Group Two license. What is its limit per job?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A mechanical contractor holds a Group Three license. What is its limit per job?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A mechanical contractor wants to act as sole prime contractor. What share of the work must fall under its classifications?S.C. Code § 40-11-340, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
An owner splits one project into several small contracts so that no contractor needs a higher license group. How does the statute treat this?S.C. Code § 40-11-300(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
May an unlicensed contractor be a party to a joint venture bid?S.C. Code § 40-11-330, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
On a project with one sole prime contractor, who must obtain the building permit?S.C. Code § 40-11-420(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Several prime contractors work under a construction manager. Who obtains the building permit?S.C. Code § 40-11-420(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Two licensed contractors submit a joint venture bid. How large may the contract be?S.C. Code § 40-11-330, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What is the most a Group One general contractor may bid on one job?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What is the most a Group One mechanical contractor may bid on one job?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What is the per-job limit of a Group Three general contractor license?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
When does the "total cost of construction" include the cost of design services?S.C. Code § 40-11-20(26), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Which general contractor license group is limited to $3,000,000 per job?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Financial statements and surety bonds 12
A licensee's surety bond is canceled. How long does it have to give proof of net worth or working capital before the license is suspended?S.C. Code § 40-11-262(C), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
An applicant gives a surety bond instead of a financial statement. In what amount?S.C. Code § 40-11-262(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How does Chapter 11 define "working capital"?S.C. Code § 40-11-20(28), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How much notice must the board receive before a license surety bond is canceled?S.C. Code § 40-11-262(C), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How recent must the balance sheet date of an applicant's financial statement be?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What may a claimant recover on the license surety bond?S.C. Code Regs. 29-14, South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 29 (scstatehouse.gov)
What net worth must a Group Five general contractor show?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What net worth must a Group Two general contractor show?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Where does a claimant file a claim on a contractor's license surety bond?S.C. Code Regs. 29-14, South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 29 (scstatehouse.gov)
Which financial statement does a Group Five general contractor file with an initial application?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Which financial statement may a Group One general contractor file with an initial application?S.C. Code § 40-11-260(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Who is named as obligee on the surety bond given in lieu of a financial statement?S.C. Code § 40-11-262(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Contracts, payment and defect claims 12
A claimant files suit over a nonresidential construction defect without first serving a notice of claim. What must the court do on a party's motion?S.C. Code § 40-11-520, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A claimant sends a contractor a notice of a construction defect on a nonresidential building. How long does the contractor have to inspect, offer to remedy, offer to settle or deny?S.C. Code § 40-11-540(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
A contractor receives a periodic payment from the owner. Within how many days must it pay its subcontractor for that subcontractor's work?S.C. Code § 29-6-30, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
An entity without the required license sues an owner for the unpaid balance of its construction contract. What does Chapter 11 say?S.C. Code § 40-11-370(C), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How long does a written notice of a nonresidential defect claim toll the statute of limitations?S.C. Code § 40-11-570, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
May a licensee use unlicensed subcontractors?S.C. Code § 40-11-270(E), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
The parties to a nonresidential defect claim cannot settle. After how long is the claim considered denied, so the claimant may sue?S.C. Code § 40-11-540(C), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What interest does Section 29-6-50 set on a late construction payment?S.C. Code § 29-6-50, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
When is no interest due on a late payment under Section 29-6-50?S.C. Code § 29-6-50, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Where may a licensee use an abbreviated version of its license name?S.C. Code § 40-11-370(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Which claims fall outside the Notice and Opportunity to Cure Nonresidential Construction Defects Act?S.C. Code § 40-11-550(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Within how many days of receiving a pay request must an owner pay the contractor the undisputed amount?S.C. Code § 29-6-30, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Mechanics' liens 11
A subcontractor has given the owner written notice of its labor and the amount. What is the effect of the owner's later payments to the contractor?S.C. Code § 29-5-50, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
The amount an owner owes the contractor is too small to pay every lienor. What must the owner do?S.C. Code § 29-5-60(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
An owner wants to discharge a filed mechanics' lien by written undertaking. In what amount must it be?S.C. Code § 29-5-110, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
In a mechanics' lien action, what caps the attorney's fee and court costs the prevailing party may recover?S.C. Code § 29-5-10(a), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
To what extent does a supplier of rented equipment have a lien for it?S.C. Code § 29-5-22, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What is the ceiling on the total of liens that subcontractors and suppliers may set up against an owner under Section 29-5-40?S.C. Code § 29-5-40, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What must a contractor who is required to be licensed put on a mechanics' lien document when it is filed?S.C. Code § 29-5-15(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What penalty does the lien chapter set for a contractor who files a frivolous lien?S.C. Code § 29-5-15(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Within how many days after ceasing to furnish labor or materials must a mechanics' lien statement be served on the owner and filed?S.C. Code § 29-5-90, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Within how many days of the commencement of work must a notice of project commencement be filed?S.C. Code § 29-5-23, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Within what time must suit to enforce a mechanics' lien be commenced and notice of pendency filed?S.C. Code § 29-5-120(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Wages, workers' compensation and tax 8
A South Carolina business hires a nonresident contractor for temporary work under a $50,000 contract. What must it withhold from each payment unless an exemption applies?S.C. Code § 12-8-550(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
An employer fails to pay wages due. What may the employee recover in a civil action?S.C. Code § 41-10-80(C), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
An employer separates an employee from the payroll. By when must all wages due be paid?S.C. Code § 41-10-50, South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
For how long must an employer keep records of wages paid and deductions made?S.C. Code § 41-10-30(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How far ahead must an employer give written notice of a change in pay terms, other than a wage increase?S.C. Code § 41-10-30(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
When is a person who hires a nonresident contractor not responsible for the withholding under Section 12-8-550?S.C. Code § 12-8-550(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
When must an employer tell a new employee in writing the normal hours and wages agreed upon?S.C. Code § 41-10-30(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
The workers' compensation title does not apply to a person who has regularly employed fewer than how many employees in the same business in the State?S.C. Code § 42-1-360(2), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Violations, penalties and exemptions 12
A cited contractor files no appeal. Within how long must the administrative penalties be paid?S.C. Code § 40-11-100(E), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
An owner-builder sells a house soon after finishing it under the residential owner exemption. Within what time is the sale prima facie evidence that the project was built for sale?S.C. Code § 40-11-360(5), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Besides other discipline, what civil penalty may the board require for each violation?S.C. Code § 40-11-110(C), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
The board suspends a license. What may the licensee still do?S.C. Code § 40-11-110(H), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
The chapter does not apply to an owner constructing a farm building used only for livestock or storage below what floor space?S.C. Code § 40-11-360(7), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How soon after the board revokes a license may the entity apply for another?S.C. Code § 40-11-110(F), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
How tall must the license number be on the vehicles of an air conditioning, heating or packaged equipment contractor?S.C. Code Regs. 29-13, South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 29 (scstatehouse.gov)
Unless the board directs otherwise, when does a revocation or suspension take effect?S.C. Code § 40-11-110(H), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What is the ceiling on an administrative citation penalty for a first violation of a provision?S.C. Code § 40-11-100(D), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What is the criminal penalty for practicing as a contractor in violation of Chapter 11?S.C. Code § 40-11-200(A), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
What is the most the department may assess in administrative penalties against one entity in one day?S.C. Code § 40-11-100(B), South Carolina Code of Laws (scstatehouse.gov)
Within how many days must a licensee tell the department of a change in its mailing address, business street address or business telephone number?S.C. Code Regs. 29-9, South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 29 (scstatehouse.gov)
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written from the South Carolina Code of Laws as the Legislature publishes it at scstatehouse.gov: Title 40, Chapter 11 (Contractors; https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c011.php), Title 29, Chapters 5 (Mechanics' Liens) and 6 (Payments to Contractors, Subcontractors and Suppliers), Title 41, Chapter 10 (Payment of Wages), Sections 42-1-360 and 12-8-550, and from Code of Regulations Chapter 29 (https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2029.pdf). Each section was read on 2026-10-12. The examination outline is the PSI candidate information bulletin for the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board, updated 1/17/2025 (https://proctor2.psionline.com/programs/Instructions/1382.pdf), read 2026-10-12. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site. The statutes and regulations are public law of the State of South Carolina. No question is taken from the state examination or from any study guide.
How it works
This unofficial SC contractors license practice test asks 86 questions of our own on South Carolina law: Chapter 11, liens, payment and wages. Estimating and accounting are not asked. Not affiliated with the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board.
Read the full guide
Who takes the law exam
General and mechanical contractor candidates take Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors along with the technical examination of their classification. Fire alarm and burglar alarm candidates take a separate laws examination.
What this page covers
This contractor licensing South Carolina practice test has seven subjects, each from the Code of Laws or the board's regulations: licenses and qualifying parties, license groups and bids, financial statements and bonds, contracts and payment, liens, wages and tax, and penalties.
Learn each license group as a pair, the job limit and the net worth: $100,000 with $20,000, up to unlimited with $350,000.
Fifteen days answers several questions: a departed qualifying party, a bankruptcy, a change of address. Learn each deadline with its duty.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the South Carolina contractor business and law exam?
Fifty scored questions in 125 minutes, open book, with 35 right to pass, by the candidate bulletin updated January 17, 2025. Up to ten unscored trial questions may be added.
Is there a general contractors license SC practice test for the trade exam here?
No. This page covers the law examination only. The technical examinations, such as building, grading or roofing, are written from code books and trade references, and none of those questions are here.
Is this a South Carolina general contractors practice test or a mechanical one?
Both. Chapter 11 licenses general and mechanical contractors and both take the same law examination, so the bank also serves as an SC mechanical contractors license practice test on the law. Each group's own job limits are asked.
Is there an SC free contractors license study guide?
The law itself is free: Title 40, Chapter 11 and the lien and payment chapters on the Legislature's site, each linked from the answers that cite it. The exam's reference book is sold, and this page does not use it.
Is this contractors license South Carolina free practice test the real exam?
No. It is free, unofficial practice written from the Code of Laws. The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board and PSI, its test vendor, did not write or review it, and no question comes from the state examination.