South Carolina State Requirements

South Carolina Real Estate Commission

110 Centerview Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
Phone: 803-896-4400
Email: contact.REC@llr.sc.gov
Website: https://llr.sc.gov/re/ 

Associate Prelicensing Education Requirements

A. Be at least 18 years or older.
B. Provide proof of high school diploma or equivalent.
C. Be lawfully eligible to work in the United States.
E. Complete 60 hours of education (Unit 1 Fundamentals of Real Estate) and an additional 30 hours of classroom education, Unit II Advanced Real Estate Principle Course) before applying to take the exam.
F. Exemptions to Pre-Licensing Education:

a.  Applicant with a law degree
b.  Applicant with a bachelor or higher degree with a major in real estate 
c.  Georgia reciprocity applicant that has been licensed by a written exam and is a current GA resident
d. North Carolina reciprocity applicant: 

i. A NC Provisional Broker may apply for a SC associate license with proof of completing 90 hours of NC post-licensing education or 90 hours or SC pre-licensing education 
ii.  A NC Broker may apply for a SC associate license
iii.  Update May 2024 - Reciprocal agreements between the Commission and another jurisdiction’s real estate regulatory authority must be in place in order for an applicant licensed by the other jurisdiction to be granted a license via reciprocity. The applicant must also comply with all requirements as detailed in the reciprocal agreement in order to be eligible for licensure via reciprocity

G. Complete the Commission-approved fingerprint and social security number background checks. For more information click HERE
H. Successfully pass the State and National portions of the exam.
I. Submit completed application and pay required fees.
J.  Provide valid identification
K. Within one year of passing the exam, must be sponsored by a broker-in-charge and apply for a license.
L. All applicants for initial Associate, Broker, Broker in Charge, Property Manager or Property Manager licensure with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission will be required to obtain state and national fingerprint-based criminal records checks form the State Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The transition from the previous background check provider is due to the law change in 2017. After the Real Estate Commission reviews the initial application, background check instructions will be provided to the application by email.

Broker Pre Licensing Education Requirements

A. Be at least 21 years or older.
B. Provide proof of high school diploma or equivalent.
C. Be lawfully eligible to work in the United States.
D. Have 5 years of “Active” SC associate licensure within the past 7 years prior to application to upgrade license. Note: this applies to any broker applicant that applies on or after May 21, 2024.
F. Successfully complete Unit III A Broker Management and Unit III B Brokerage Principles courses (60 hours) then apply to take the exam.
G Complete the Commission-approved fingerprint and social security number background checks. 
H. A broker qualified applicant can also apply to become a Broker in Charge and establish an office under their supervision.
I. Successfully pass the State and National portions of the exam.
J. Must apply for license within one year of taking exam.

Associate and Broker Continuing Education Requirements

A. Must complete 10 hours of education to include:

a. 4 hours must be the mandatory/core course 
b. 6 hours can be elective courses

Broker in Charge Continuing Education Requirements

A. Must complete 10 hours of education to include:

a. 4 hour mandatory BIC Duties and Responsibilities 
b. 4-hour mandatory core course
c. 2 hours of electives

Property Manager Continuing Education Requirements

A. Continuing Education is not required

Exam Provider Information

A. Must submit application to the state to be approved to take State and National Exam.
B. Upon receipt of approval to sit for the State and National exam, please visit PSI’s website. 
C. Any questions about exam specifically please contact PSI at: 800-733-9267 or via email at examschedule@psionline.com.