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Before you bid, work on, or contract any residential work involving heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems in South Carolina, you must obtain a residential HVAC license. To qualify for licensure, you must:

• Pass the HVAC Contractor Exam and Business & Law Exam
• Provide proof of experience
• Have a surety bond

Before submitting your application for licensure, you must take and pass the two relevant exams and prove that you have done so.

Working with a South Carolina Residential HVAC Contractor License

What kind of work can you perform with this type of license? Licensed professionals perform various tasks pertaining to HVAC systems for customers throughout the state. This includes working with furnaces, air conditioners, air ducts, and more.

Licensed HVAC contractors can install, repair, and replace air conditioning systems, parts, and equipment but are limited to units that produce five tons of cooling and 175,000 BTU/HR. 

They can also perform work on liquid fuel tanks and piping, water and gas piping from heating and service circuits, gas-fired furnaces, space heaters, and air handler systems. They cannot, however, work on systems that use liquid propane gas.

What Are the Requirements for Getting a Residential HVAC License in South Carolina?

You must submit proof that you have at least one year of experience working in the field under a licensed HVAC contractor or residential builder. The experience must have taken place within the preceding five years. 

As a candidate for licensure, you must also provide proof that you have a bond in the amount of $10,000. This must be provided along with the non-refundable licensing fee after you have passed both examinations. The power of attorney must be attached, and your name must be listed as principal.

Testing Requirements for SC HVAC Licenses

The contractor exam includes 80 questions, and you must answer at least 52 correctly to receive a passing grade. You will have 240 minutes to complete this exam. Some topics covered include:

• Insulation
• Sound
• Heating and cooling principles
• Testing
• Load calculations
• Chimneys
• Ducts and vents
• Heat pump equipment
• Fuel gas
• Combustion
• Piping
• Refrigerants
• Exhausts
• Combustion
• Safety 

The Business Management & Law Exam contains 50 questions, and you must answer 34 correctly to pass. You will have two hours to complete this exam. Some topics covered are the following:

• Safety recordkeeping and reporting
• Tax laws
• Business management
• Project management
• Environmental regulations
• Labor laws
• Liens
• Reporting
• Insurance and bonding
• Estimating and bidding
• Licensing rules and laws

Both the HVAC Contractor Exam and the Business Management & Law for Residential Contractors Exam are open-book tests. 

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