If you failed the South Carolina residential electrical exam, you can retake it as long as your eligibility is still good. You get 3 attempts within 12 months of your eligibility letter. After 3 failures, you wait 12 months from your last attempt before you can reapply. Each retake is a new PSI registration and fee. The rules come from the Residential Builders Commission and the PSI candidate bulletin (updated November 1, 2026).
| At a glance | South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | 1 year from your RBC eligibility letter |
| Attempts | 3 within the 12-month period |
| After 3 failures | Wait 12 months from the last attempt, then reapply |
| Retake fee | $75 for one exam, $94 for both, paid to PSI each time |
| Trade exam | 60 questions, 44 correct to pass, 180 minutes, open book |
| Business and law | 50 questions, 34 correct to pass, 120 minutes |
| NEC edition | 2023 NEC with SC changes from Nov 1, 2026. 2020 NEC allowed until July 1, 2027. |
Know where your eligibility stands
The RBC sends an eligibility letter before you can book PSI. You must pass both exams, the Residential Electrical trade exam and the Business Management & Law for Residential Builders exam. The PSI bulletin says eligibility "is valid for 1 year and you are allowed 3 attempts to pass the examination within a 12-month period."
- Failed once or twice, still inside 12 months: register with PSI again and pay the fee.
- Failed 3 times: wait 12 months from the date of your last attempt (§40-59-220(E)), then reapply to the RBC.
- Eligibility ran out before you passed both parts: the application package says you must reapply.
The bulletin doesn't list a waiting period between attempts 1, 2 and 3. If you want to retest quickly, check open dates with PSI.
Register and pay again
PSI charges $75 for one exam or $94 for both on the same registration. There's no separate retake fee. Each attempt is a new registration, and PSI fees are not refundable or transferable. If you passed one exam and failed the other, ask PSI or the RBC whether you only need to retake the one you failed before you register.
Use your score report
Read your PSI score report closely. If it breaks your results down by content area, let that decide what you study first.
- Write down your score in each area, lowest first.
- Mark which areas are calculations and which are code lookups.
- If you ran out of time, that's a speed problem, not a knowledge problem. With 60 questions in 180 minutes, you get 3 minutes a question.
- Keep a mistake log of every practice question you miss: the topic, the NEC section, and why you missed it.
A four-week retake plan
| Week | Trade exam (NEC) | Business and law |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tab the code book. Do index drills until you find most answers in under 2 minutes. | Read the chapters tied to your weakest score areas. |
| 2 | Calculations: dwelling load calcs, box fill, conductor sizing, voltage drop | Practice questions on lien law, contracts and payroll |
| 3 | Your two lowest score-report areas, plus everything in your mistake log | A timed set of 25 questions |
| 4 | Two full timed mock exams: 60 questions in 180 minutes | One full timed mock: 50 questions in 120 minutes |
Study with the NEC edition you'll bring in. Since November 1, 2026, the exam uses the 2023 NEC with SC modifications, and the 2020 NEC is allowed until July 1, 2027. Bring the same edition you studied with.
Want a structured retake plan? JCR's South Carolina exam prep package is $495. It's built on the 2020 NEC, which the residential exam accepts until July 1, 2027, with practice exams and video lessons. Not sure where you stand? Start with 25 free practice questions.
Exam-day checklist
- Your PSI confirmation and a valid ID that matches your registration
- Your code book in the edition you studied (2023 NEC, or 2020 NEC until July 1, 2027), with only the tabs and highlighting the bulletin allows
- The other references listed in the bulletin for your exam
- A pacing plan: 3 minutes a question on the trade exam, about 2.4 on business and law
- Skip hard questions on the first pass, then come back
SC residential exam retake FAQ
How many times can I take the SC residential electrical exam?
Three times within 12 months of your eligibility letter. After 3 failures, you wait 12 months from your last attempt before reapplying.
How much does a retake cost?
PSI charges $75 for one exam or $94 for both. Each attempt is a new registration, and fees aren't refundable.
Is there a waiting period between retakes?
The PSI bulletin doesn't list one for attempts 1 through 3. Check open dates with PSI.
What happens if my eligibility expires before I pass?
You must reapply to the Residential Builders Commission for a new eligibility letter.
Which NEC edition can I use?
The 2023 NEC with SC modifications from November 1, 2026. The 2020 NEC is also allowed until July 1, 2027.
More South Carolina guides
Pass the SC residential exam next time
JCR's $495 South Carolina exam prep package covers the 2020 NEC, which the residential exam accepts until July 1, 2027. It includes practice exams and video lessons. Pair it with the four-week plan above.
Not sure you're ready? Try 25 free practice questions first.
Official sources
- SC RBC residential electrician licensing
- Residential electrical license application
- RBC exam information
- PSI: SC residential exams
- SC Code Title 40, Chapter 59
JCR checked these rules against the board's public pages and forms on November 5, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the board before you file.
