South Carolina Associate Pre-Licensing SC Real Estate License FAQs

To get a South Carolina real estate salesperson license, you must complete the following steps as required by the SC Real Estate Commission:

• Successfully complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education through an approved provider

• Apply with the Commission to take the licensing examination

• Complete a South Carolina criminal background check

• Register to take the exam with PSI Exams Online

• Find a sponsoring broker-in-charge

• Apply for a salesperson license within one year of taking the exam

The two most time-consuming factors to getting your South Carolina real estate salesperson license include completing the criminal background check and completing the pre-licensing education requirement. Background checks can take up to 16 weeks. The quickest way to complete the 90 hours of required pre-licensing education is to choose a course provider that allows you the ability to control the pace and tempo of your coursework, such as The CE Shop.

The previous 30-hour post-licensing requirement required of licensees in their first year changed at the beginning of 2017*. The previous 30-hour requirement is now part of the 90-hour pre-licensing requirement that must be completed before applying for a license.

For agents renewing starting in 2018, a total of 10 continuing education hours must be completed every two years by June 30. The 10 hours consist of a 4-hour mandatory core course and 6 hours of electives.

*A revision to the South Carolina Real Estate Licensing Law (S.1013/Act.170) was signed into law on May 23, 2016, and went into effect on January 1, 2017. Of note, a total of 90 hours of pre-licensing education must be completed before taking the licensing exam and applying for a salesperson license. There will no longer be a one-year “provisional” license issued after taking 60 hours of pre-licensing education and taking the exam.

The fixed costs involved in getting your South Carolina real estate salesperson license include:

• License Examination Fee – $63.00

• Salesperson Exam Application Fee – $35.00 (includes $10 for credit check)

• Salesperson License Fee – $25.00 (paid after passing exam)

Variable costs include tuition and fees for pre-licensing education. Other costs may apply, such as a fee for the criminal background check.

Note: These costs are subject to be changed by the state at any time.

No. A South Carolina residency is not required for licensure in South Carolina.

South Carolina residents can receive their real estate Pre-Licensing education online through an approved provider.

According to the South Carolina statute, a felony conviction or an offense involving the breach of trust, moral turpitude, fraud, or dishonest dealing can disqualify applicants from obtaining a real estate license. However, each candidate's record will be reviewed and approved accordingly.

In order to become a licensed real estate agent in South Carolina, candidates must have at least a high school diploma or GED.

It's difficult to determine an "average salary" of a real estate agent in South Carolina, as many factors influence an agent's income. However, full-time agents with years of experience frequently make over $100k a year. Real estate income is associated with how hard the agent is willing to work to find leads and generate sales.

To become a real estate agent in South Carolina, applicants must be at least 18 years old.

You can schedule your South Carolina real estate examination with PSI at 855.340.3701 or by visiting their website.

South Carolina students are required to take a 90-hr. package comprising their Pre-Licensing coursework. One course is the 60-Hr. Salesperson Pre-Licensing course, and the other is the 30-Hr. Advanced Real Estate Principles course.

Every two years, South Carolina real estate agents are required to complete 10 hours of Continuing Education.

South Carolina has "full reciprocity" with all states. That means that anyone with an out-of-state real estate license will have the opportunity to expedite the South Carolina licensing process. For more information about how reciprocity works and which states offer it nationwide, visit our Guide to Reciprocity and Portability. Or, visit the South Carolina Real Estate Commission website to ask personalized questions.