South Carolina Business License: Who Needs One & How to Apply (2025)

What Is a Business License in South Carolina?

A business license is a permit issued by a local, state, or federal body in order to allow businesses to perform a specific business activity and/or operate legitimately. 

So, if there isn’t a “general business license” in South Carolina, what exactly is there?

Well, South Carolina — like the vast majority of states — imposes different requirements depending on where you’re located and what you actually do. 

For example:

• A restaurant in Charleston will need a Food Establishment License from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and health permits from the City of Charleston.
• A hair salon in Columbia will need professional licenses from LLR and a Retail License from the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
• A home-based CPA in Greenville will need a license from the South Carolina Board of Accountancy and a business license from the City of Greenville.
• A construction contractor in Rock Hill will need contractor licenses from LLR and a business license from the City of Rock Hill.

It all depends on what you do, and where you’re located. There is no “business license” that you will need to obtain just to operate no matter what, and while most businesses will need some form of business license to operate, this will not be the case for everyone. 

Do I Need a South Carolina Business License? 

Well, the answer to this will ultimately depend on your business’s situation. You can have a look at our table below in order to get a general idea:

South Carolina Business Licensing at a Glance

Jurisdiction	Business Licenses	Who Needs It & Where to Apply
Local	Health Permits, Zoning Permits, Occupancy Certificates, Industry-Specific Permits, etc.	Varies by location Contact your local municipality to determine local requirements.
State	Sales Tax Permit and Resellers Permit	Businesses selling physical products or taxable services. Apply via the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
	Professional Licenses	Required for professions (e.g., contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, etc.) Apply via the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food, liquor, environmental, vehicle dealers)  Apply through the relevant South Carolina agency.
Federal	Industry-Specific Licenses	Businesses involved in federally regulated activities such as agriculture, aviation, firearms, alcohol, broadcasting, or wildlife. Apply through the relevant federal agency (e.g., USDA, FAA, ATF, FCC, FWS)

*While this table is meant to give you a general idea, it’s by no means exhaustive. For all your licensing needs, we suggest either going with a professional licensing service or consulting with a business attorney.

How to Get a Business License in South Carolina

The process of obtaining a business license in South Carolina will depend on the permit in question, but generally involves completing the following steps:

1. Form a Business Structure & Obtain an EIN

We recommend formalizing your business before acquiring a business license in order to avoid potentially having to repeat this process again later down the line. 

This also gives other benefits depending on the business model, such as:

• Personal liability protection
• Improved legitimacy 
• Larger access to loans and corporate finance

Note: You should obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) after forming your LLC. You can have a look at our How to Get an EIN overview for more information. 

2. Apply for the Right Business License in South Carolina

This step will depend on the business license in question.

South Carolina Local Business Licenses

Many South Carolina cities and counties require local business licenses or permits to be obtained. This can be in addition to the common state-wide licenses talked about above.

Here are some common local permits you may need:

• General Business License: Most cities in South Carolina require businesses operating within city limits to obtain a general business license. These are typically based on gross income and must be renewed annually by April 30th (e.g., if your business is based in Florence, you would apply through the City of Florence Licensing & Permitting Office).
• Zoning Permits: Required to ensure your business location is zoned appropriately for your type of business and complies with local ordinances (e.g., if your business is based in Spartanburg, you would check with the City of Spartanburg Planning Department).
• Sign Permits: Required before installing any business signage to ensure compliance with local sign ordinances (e.g., if your business is based in Rock Hill, you would apply through the City of Rock Hill Planning and Development Department).
• Certificate of Occupancy: Required for most businesses before they can legally occupy a building or space. This verifies that the structure meets building codes and is safe for the intended use (e.g., if your business is based in North Charleston, you would apply through the City of North Charleston Building Department).
• Home Occupation Permits: Required for businesses operating out of a residence to ensure compliance with residential zoning regulations (e.g., if your home-based business is in Aiken, you would check with the City of Aiken Planning Department).

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, you can visit the South Carolina Association of Counties or the Municipal Association of South Carolina.

South Carolina State Business Licenses

Below we’ve included the most common business licenses that are required on a state level. 

South Carolina Retail License

You can register for a South Carolina retail license (also called a seller’s permit) online through the Department of Revenue. 

Apply Online With the South Carolina Department of Revenue

Apply Online

Fee: $50

Keep in mind that you’ll need a NAICS code in order to apply. For more information on this, you can have a look at our South Carolina Sales Tax guide.

Tip: Your business does not need to pay sales and use tax when purchasing goods for resale. Have a look at the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s Sales and Use Tax Resale Certificate for more information.

South Carolina Professional Licenses

If you’re interested in a professional license, you’ll need to head over to the relevant state commission, as this is not handled on a local level. We’ve provided the licensing boards of a few of the most common professions below to get you started:

• South Carolina Board of Accountancy: Regulates Certified Public Accountants, Public Accountants, and Accounting Practitioners.
• South Carolina Real Estate Commission: Regulates real estate brokers, associates, and property managers, as well as timeshare projects and out-of-state subdivided land sales.
• Contractor’s Licensing Board: Regulates general and mechanical contractors, construction managers, burglar and fire alarm contractors, and fire sprinkler contractors.
• South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners: Licenses physicians (M.D. and D.O.), physician assistants, respiratory care practitioners, acupuncturists, and other medical professionals.
• South Carolina Board of Nursing: Regulates the practice of nursing and issues licenses to registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses.
• South Carolina Board of Cosmetology: Oversees licensing for cosmetologists, barbers, nail technicians, estheticians, and massage therapists.
• South Carolina Bar: Handles the licensing and regulation of attorneys practicing law in the state.

For more information on how to go about getting licensed, you can have a look at StateRequirement’s in-depth licensing guides. 

Industry-Specific State Licenses

Some South Carolina businesses require additional licenses based on the specific industry they operate in. These licenses are issued by state agencies and must be obtained before the business can legally operate.

Here are some common examples of industry-specific state licenses in South Carolina:

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s Alcohol Beverage Licensing Division. License types vary based on whether you’re selling beer/wine only or liquor, and whether sales are for on-premises or off-premises consumption.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses selling more than five vehicles per year. Regulated by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. 
• Child Care License: Required for facilities caring for 7 or more children (group child care homes) or 13 or more children (child care centers). Regulated by the South Carolina Department of Social Services. 
• Private Security/Investigation License: Required for businesses providing security guard services, private investigation, or bodyguard services. Regulated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). 

South Carolina Environmental Permits

If your business activities could negatively impact the environment, there’s a good chance you’ll need some sort of license or permit from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Air Quality Permits: Required for facilities with air emissions or pollutant discharge. This includes manufacturing plants, power generation facilities, and any business with industrial processes that emit air pollutants. 
• Stormwater Permits: Required for construction activities disturbing one acre or more of land, as well as industrial facilities with stormwater runoff. Must submit engineering drawings showing erosion control and sediment management plans. 
• Underground Storage Tank Registration: Required for businesses with underground tanks over 110 gallons storing petroleum or hazardous substances. Includes gas stations, manufacturing facilities, and businesses with heating oil tanks over 1,100 gallons. 
• Hazardous Waste Generator ID: Required for businesses that generate, store, or dispose of hazardous waste. Includes manufacturers, dry cleaners, auto repair shops, and healthcare facilities. 
• Wetlands/Critical Area Permits: Required for any construction, dredging, or alteration in coastal waters, tidelands, beaches, or wetland areas. Includes dock construction, bulkheads, marinas, and coastal development projects.
• Asbestos Demolition/Renovation Permits: Required before demolishing any commercial building or renovating buildings with regulated asbestos-containing materials. Must notify SCDES 10 working days in advance and pay required fees.
• Water Discharge Permits: Required for facilities discharging wastewater or industrial process water. Includes manufacturing plants, food processors, and any facility with water treatment systems.
• Mining Permits: Required for quarries, sand/clay extraction, and mineral exploration operations. Subject to public notice requirements and environmental impact review.

Federal Business Licenses for South Carolina LLCs

If your business is in a federally regulated industry (which is uncommon), it’ll need to acquire the appropriate business license from the right body before starting to operate. 

A full list of industries regulated at a federal level can be found below:

• Agriculture: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Alcoholic Beverages: Overseen by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Local Alcohol Beverage Control Board
• Aviation: Overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Firearms, Ammunitions, and Explosives: Overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• Fish and Wildlife: Overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Commercial Fishing: Overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service.
• Maritime Transportation: Overseen by the Federal Maritime Commission.
• Mining and Drilling: Overseen by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
• Radio and Television Broadcasting: Overseen by the Federal Communications Commission.
• Transportation and Logistics: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation

South Carolina Business License Renewal

Depending on your business license, you may need to renew it periodically — usually within one or two years. 

This is not required for a sales tax permit, but is required for practically all professional licenses. 

Several of the local permits will also need to be renewed annually; this includes health department permits, signage permits, and fire department permits, which generally all need to be renewed annually.

Having said that, this will depend on both your location and the license in question.

South Carolina Business License FAQs

Quick Resources

• South Carolina Department of Revenue 
• South Carolina Business One Stop
• Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation 
• Municipal Association of South Carolina
• South Carolina Association of Counties