Category Archives: Laws

Laws, rules, and regulations regarding the trades.

South Carolina LLR Involved In Sting Operation

I was going through my email and just got this today from the South Carolina LLR.
It is nice to see our state getting proactive to help stop these unlicensed contractors.
This will go a long way in stopping illegal businesses as well as protecting the consumers in our state.

Sting Nets 73 Cases of Unlicensed Builders/Contractors in State
Investigators for the S.C. Residential Builders Commission (RBC) and S.C. Contractor’s Licensing Board (CLB) found 73 cases of unlicensed activity when they participated in a national sting operation during the week of June 16, 2015, with NASCLA, the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies.

Six investigators from the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s Office of Investigations and Enforcement and three staff members reviewed internet listings and physically monitored home improvement store parking lots across the state to look for people who were advertising plumbing, electrical, carpentry, HVAC, roofing, home inspecting and other building services requiring licensure by LLR.

“The goal of the sting was to work together with NASCLA and other boards across the country to protect consumers and deter illegal construction activity,” Residential Builders Administrator Janet Baumberger said. “This is the second time we have participated in the sting, and each time we have discovered at least 70 cases. We look forward to participating again to further protect consumers.”

In addition to South Carolina, eight states participated in the sting: Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Washington.

“LLR is committed to its mission of protecting the health and safety of South Carolina citizens,” LLR Director Richele Taylor said. “Operations like these help us educate the public on how to protect themselves from unlicensed contractors and highlights the steps individuals must take to become licensed.”

Contractor’s Licensing Board Administrator Roger Lowe added: “Persons holding themselves out to be a general or mechanical contractor while not licensed presents a threat to the general public. By participating in this operation, it is clear that unlicensed practice presents a very real problem in South Carolina.”

To review copies of Cease and Desist orders issued as a result of the sting, visit:
http://www.llronline.com/POL/NASCLA_Orders/

Orders are posted to this site as the Boards receive notice the orders have been served on the individuals.

boards across the country to protect consumers and deter illegal construction activity,” Residential Builders Administrator Janet Baumberger said. “This is the second time we have participated in the sting, and each time we have discovered at least 70 cases. We look forward to participating again to further protect consumers.”

In addition to South Carolina, eight states participated in the sting: Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Washington.

“LLR is committed to its mission of protecting the health and safety of South Carolina citizens,” LLR Director Richele Taylor said. “Operations like these help us educate the public on how to protect themselves from unlicensed contractors and highlights the steps individuals must take to become licensed.”

Contractor’s Licensing Board Administrator Roger Lowe added: “Persons holding themselves out to be a general or mechanical contractor while not licensed presents a threat to the general public. By participating in this operation, it is clear that unlicensed practice presents a very real problem in South Carolina.”

To review copies of Cease and Desist orders issued as a result of the sting, visit:
http://www.llronline.com/POL/NASCLA_Orders/

Orders are posted to this site as the Boards receive notice the orders have been served on the individuals.

 

The person that has taken over the SC LLR Department is really doing a great job in turning things around and taking care of the contractors as well as the people of South Carolina

State License

State License

While you will hear some people say that a state license is not needed to do HVAC (Mechanical Work), Electrical, Plumbing, and many other trades that are required to obtain a license with the local state boards to be able to run a company. The truth is that this is false.

I can’t speak for other states, but in the state of South Carolina you have to have a license to practice in any industry regulated by their governing body. Anyone not obtaining a license to operate their business is working illegally as you can see by the email they sent out to all legally
licensed businesses and people who will be operating in the State of South Carolina.
You can lookup anyone that is legally allowed to operate a regulated business in South Carolina at https://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/LookupMain.aspx

[Begin Email]

TO ALL RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, HVAC, SPECIALTY REGISTRANTS AND COA’S LICENSED IN SOUTH CAROLINA:

You are required to renew your South Carolina license/registration before midnight on June 30, 2015, in order to continue practicing in this state.  Online renewal is now available at https://eservice.llr.sc.gov/SecurePortal/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fOnlineRenewals%2f .  You should have received renewal instructions in the mail that included your USERID and password for renewing online.

The Residential Builders Commission changed to biennial licensure periods for individuals.  This means when you renew your license, it will be valid until June 30, 2017.

Bond On File, Limited and Unlimited will no longer print on the pocketcard, your bond expiration date or “no bond on file” will be listed on Licensee Lookup.

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE, please contact the Board by e-mail at contact.rbc@llr.sc.gov and indicate in the subject line, “Do not wish to renew Residential license”.  Please include your name and license number.  If you later wish to renew, you may do so until June 30, 2015, upon payment of the renewal fee.  If you do not renew your license before June 30, 2018, you will be required to file a new application and take and pass the examination again (no exam required for COA or Specialty Registrant RBS).

If you cannot renew online, please go to the Board web site http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/ResidentialBuilders/index.asp?file=pub.htm and download the blank renewal form.  The Board will not be able to accept requests for forms by phone, fax or e-mail.

It is critical that the board has your current e-mail and mailing addresses because the pocket card will be mailed to you.  Please send mailing address and e-mail changes to contact.rbc@llr.sc.gov prior to renewing online.

[/End Of Email]

 

Laws and Legal Help

State LawRegulated FieldsReport Unlicensed Workers

Here is the law regarding the SC LLR:
SECTION 40-1-30. Authorization to practice.

It is unlawful for a person to engage in a profession or occupation regulated by a board or commission administered by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation without holding a valid authorization to practice as required by statute or regulation.

An authorization to practice issued pursuant to this title is valid for up to two years and is renewable on renewal dates as established by the Director of Labor, Licensing and Regulation with the consent of each applicable regulatory board.

HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 453, Section 2.

Board of Accountancy

Board of Architectural Examiners

Athletic Commission

Auctioneers Commission

Board of Barber Examiners

Accessibility Committee of the Building Codes Council

Building Code Council

Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Contractors’ Licensing Board

Board of Cosmetology

Board of Dentistry

Engineers and Land Surveyors Board

Environmental Certification Board

Board of Registration for Foresters

Board of Funeral Service

Board of Registration for Geologists

Manufactured Housing Board

Board of Medical Examiners

Modular Buildings Board of Appeals

Board of Nursing

Long Term Health Care Administrators Board

Board of Occupational Therapy

Board of Examiners in Opticianry

Board of Examiners in Optometry

Board of Pharmacy

Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

Pilotage Commission

Board of Podiatry Examiners

Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors and Marital and Family Therapists

Board of Examiners in Psychology

Board of Pyrotechnic Safety

Real Estate Appraisers Board

Real Estate Commission

Residential Builders Commission

Board of Social Work Examiners

Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Here is the link to help you file your complaint:
https://eservice.llr.sc.gov/OnlineComplaint/

HVAC Contractors Must Be Licensed with the SC LLR

Every two years everyone that practices in a field that is regulated by the South Carolina LLR must register with the state every two years and pay their fee for registration. Some people try to lie and say that it is just a suggestion and that you don’t really need a license to operate a regulated business in the state of South Carolina, but as you can see in this letter they sent out to everyone that is a legal business in the state of South Carolina you can see that you must have a license to operate any business that they regulate that includes anyone doing Heating and Cooling, Electrical, Plumbing, and a whole lot of other regulated businesses out there.

Below is the exact email the state sent out to every legal business:

TO ALL RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, HVAC, SPECIALTY REGISTRANTS AND COA’S LICENSED IN SOUTH CAROLINA:

You are required to renew your South Carolina license/registration before midnight on June 30, 2015, in order to continue practicing in this state.  Online renewal is now available at https://eservice.llr.sc.gov/SecurePortal/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fOnlineRenewals%2f .  You should have received renewal instructions in the mail that included your USERID and password for renewing online. 

The Residential Builders Commission changed to biennial licensure periods for individuals.  This means when you renew your license, it will be valid until June 30, 2017.

Bond On File, Limited and Unlimited will no longer print on the pocketcard, your bond expiration date or “no bond on file” will be listed on Licensee Lookup.

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE, please contact the Board by e-mail at contact.rbc@llr.sc.gov and indicate in the subject line, “Do not wish to renew Residential license”.  Please include your name and license number.  If you later wish to renew, you may do so until June 30, 2015, upon payment of the renewal fee.  If you do not renew your license before June 30, 2018, you will be required to file a new application and take and pass the examination again (no exam required for COA or Specialty Registrant RBS).

If you cannot renew online, please go to the Board web site http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/ResidentialBuilders/index.asp?file=pub.htm and download the blank renewal form.  The Board will not be able to accept requests for forms by phone, fax or e-mail.

It is critical that the board has your current e-mail and mailing addresses because the pocket card will be mailed to you.  Please send mailing address and e-mail changes to contact.rbc@llr.sc.gov prior to renewing online. 

Spotting an unlicensed contractor

How to verify a licensed contractor

 Avoid Unlicensed Contractor

Original publish date by America’s Service Repair  Saturday, 04 June 2011

Many people on Craigslist are saying they are licensed contractors in fact they are actually an Unlicensed Contractor.
Sad to say almost all of them are lying about it.
As a licensed contractor in the state of South Carolina
I will attempt to help you learn to spot the Unlicensed Contractor.

The easiest way first is that most of them list no license information at all.
As a licensed contractor I am proud of my license and don’t mind boasting about it.
I run a great business and am proud of it. So why would they hide it?
Easy enough answer is they really are not licensed.
The next thing to look for is; those that say they are licensed but only hold a EPA license
for freon. This is in no way at all a valid license to practice in the field of HVAC in this state.
This is a card that anyone must hold to handle freon that is it, IT IS NOT certification
that they know how to install or repair HVAC equipment.
They know this but, they are preying on the fact that you don’t know this. Shame on them.

There is only one true way to check to see if you have a REAL licensed contractor or a fraud:
https://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/LookupMain.aspx

This works not just for checking HVAC and other professionals but Electricians, Plumbers
and many other professions as well. Be fair with the contractors they might be listed with either
the Residential Builders board or the Commercial Contractors board.
Here is the South Carolina Laws regarding the right to practice in any field that is regulated by the LLR

SECTION 40-1-30. Authorization to practice. It is unlawful for a person to engage in a profession or occupation regulated by a board or commission administered by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation without holding a valid authorization to practice as required by statute or regulation. An authorization to practice issued pursuant to this title is valid for up to two years and is renewable on renewal dates as established by the Director of Labor, Licensing and Regulation with the consent of each applicable regulatory board.

SECTION 40-1-200. Unlawful practice. A person who practices or offers to practice a regulated profession or occupation in this State in violation of this article or who knowingly submits false information for the purpose of obtaining a license is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars.

Don’t hire an Unlicensed Contractor not only is it illegal, it is also what is killing the trade. Every time you hire an Unlicensed Contractor you are taking away work from someone that does deserve it, and you are creating a situation where the honest, and good contractors won’t be around due to not having enough work to stay in business. Be honest, and do the right thing, and make sure you hire only State Licensed Contractors.