Small-business cover in South Carolina.
Workers’ comp threshold in South Carolina: Required for employers with 4 or more employees (part-time workers and family members count; employers with annual payroll under $3,000 are exempt)[S].
Updated 2026-05-16 · Beaconcover editorialThe short answer: In South Carolina, workers' compensation is required for employers with 4 or more employees (part-time workers and family members count; employers with annual payroll under $3,000 are exempt). Most clients and licenses also ask for general liability before you can take a job.
What does South Carolina require?
Required for employers with 4 or more employees (part-time workers and family members count; employers with annual payroll under $3,000 are exempt)[C]
Workers' compensation is required for South Carolina employers with four or more employees (including part-time workers and family members). Employers with an annual payroll of less than $3,000 are exempt regardless of employee count. Contractors above a monetary tier require state licensure and bonding. Regulated by the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission.
What licensing and bonding does South Carolina require?
- Contractor licensing tiered by project value with bonding requirements
- Four-employee / payroll-based workers' comp trigger