Everything you need to know about getting a South Carolina real estate license exam
Are you ready to embark on a challenging and rewarding career journey in South Carolina real estate?
To become a licensed real estate agent or broker in SC, you must complete a set of requirements and fulfill qualifying requirements.
Working in real estate is a lucrative professional path that can give you financial independence and the flexibility to work on your schedule.
However, to achieve your professional dream, you must first earn a real estate license in South Carolina.
According to the South Carolina Real Estate Commission (SCREC), all applicants must complete pre-licensing education and successfully clear the state licensing exam to obtain their license.
Preparing for the real estate licensing exam is a crucial step in your journey to steer your career in a successful direction.
The exam requires practice and preparation and you must equip yourself with the knowledge of all the important subjects and topics.
While clearing the exam is an achievable task, you must understand the different aspects involved in the process.
In this article, we are going to give you a detailed look into the South Carolina real estate salesperson exam.
From the exam structure and topics to preparation tips and best practices, you will learn all about taking and clearing the licensing exam with confidence.
Importance of the South Carolina Real Estate Licensing Exam
For many beginners, students, and aspiring professionals, one of the most important questions is how to get a South Carolina real estate license to start their career.
Getting a license requires you to go through a series of pre-established steps and actions so you can fulfill the SC licensing requirements and qualifying criteria.
One such step is completing your pre-licensing education is to take the SC real estate salesperson licensing exam.
The exam consists of questions based on your pre-licensing education curriculum and courses.
Like any exam, the real estate salesperson licensing test is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of the key topics, industry practices, and state and federal level laws.
Passing the licensing exam successfully has two important benefits for your real estate career.
Firstly, it will give you the golden chance of earning your South Carolina real estate salesperson license.
With a license, you will see new opportunities open up for your career as you will be legally able to work with clients who want to buy, sell, or lease real estate in SC.
Only licensed real estate agents and brokers are free to work without restrictions and limitations.
Having a license means you will be completely open to opportunities to work with clients in the state of South Carolina.
Secondly, clearing the real estate salesperson licensing exam in SC will give you the confidence you need to succeed in a hyper-competitive industry.
When you prepare for the real estate licensing exam, you will learn about the key fundamental topics and foundational subjects.
During the completion of the 90-hour South Carolina real estate license course, you will also be taught about state laws, real estate guidelines, and industry best practices.
This means your exam preparation will not only help you clear the exam, but it will also give you the required knowledge and understanding of your job role, industry, and its principles.
How to Schedule the South Carolina Real Estate Licensing Exa
Before you schedule the South Carolina real estate licensing exam, you must first become eligible to do so.
The foremost step towards eligibility for taking the licensing exam is to fulfill the qualifying prerequisites as established by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission (SCREC) which are as follows:
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older
- You must have a high school diploma in education or a GED equivalent
- You must complete 90 hours of state-approved pre-licensing education
After you have completed the mandatory pre-licensing education and received a certificate of completion from a state-approved education provider, you can proceed toward taking the licensing exam.
As the next step, you must complete and submit a licensing application to schedule the SC licensing exam.
Along with your application, you are also required to submit proofs for background verification and criminal history checks.
The required proofs are an electronic copy of your digital fingerprints and a criminal clearance document from the state’s sheriff’s office.
The background check is used by the state and federal authorities to verify your identity and determine your criminal background.
Once you have procured all the necessary documents, you can submit them along with your application.
After the state authority reviews and approves your application, you can move to the next step.
To schedule your licensing exam, you must go through the SCREC website and online application portal.
Next, you must submit your license application to the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Once the SCREC reviews and approves your application, you will be able to choose your desired day, date, and time slot for taking the licensing exam.
How Much Does the Real Estate Exam Cost?
To take the real estate license exam in SC, you will have to pay a one-time application fee of $63 to process your application.
This fee includes the fee for both state’s as well as national-specific sections.
Additionally, you will also have to pay a $25 application fee once your application is approved.
Where Do You Take the South Carolina Real Estate License Exam?
The South Carolina licensing exam must only be taken at a PSI-approved test center in South Carolina.
PSI is the regulatory body which is in charge of administering the exam and processing the licensing applications.
Here are some of the designated examination centers in South Carolina where you can choose to take the test:
- Columbia
- North Charleston
- Myrtle Beach
- Greenville
- Charlotte
- Beaufort
Note that you must take the licensing exam in the presence of a proctor. You can also choose to take the exam online on a computer.
What is on the South Carolina Real Estate Exam?
So far, we have discussed how you should apply for a licensing exam and take the test to become eligible for getting a South Carolina salesperson license.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the SC real estate exam itself and understand what it comprises.
The test is divided into two main parts - the national portion and the state-specific portion.
The national portion of the SC real estate salesperson exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions in total and you will get 120 minutes to attempt these questions.
The state portion of the SC real estate salesperson exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions and you will have 80 minutes in total to tackle these questions.
Here’s a summary of the key topics and subjects you will face as part of the national portion of the licensing exam:
- Principles of Real Estate
- Types of Real Estate Properties
- Property Ownership Principles
- Contracts and Deeds
- Real Estate Financing
- Property Valuation
- Land Use Controls
- Market Analysis
- Transfer of Title
- Practice of Real Estate
- Disclosures and Property Conditions
- Types of Agency
- Property Management
As you can see, the national-specific portion of the test is oriented toward the general industry principles, practices, and laws. To pass this portion, you must answer at least 56 questions correctly.
Next, let’s take a look at the most frequently asked questions and topics you will face during the state-specific portion of the licensing exam:
- South Carolina real estate laws and principles
- South Carolina real estate commission rules and licensing requirements
- Statutory laws and regulations
- State-specific topics such as agency relationships
- Additional South Carolina statutes
To pass the state-specific portion, you must answer at least 30 out of the 40 questions correctly.
Overall, the minimum passing score for both portions is 70 percent or above.
Is the South Carolina Real Estate Exam Hard?
If you are applying for an SC real estate salesperson exam, it is natural to ask a common question - how hard is the exam and what is the average passing rate?
Most students, especially those who are taking the exam for the first time, find the SC licensing exam difficult.
The exam is designed to be challenging for students as the real estate authority of SC wants to weed out non-serious and undeserving candidates from joining the industry.
Overall, It is a rigorous and demanding exam that requires skills and knowledge. It is formulated to evaluate the level of preparation of the applicants.
Although the SC real estate salesperson exam is tougher for many students, it is certainly not unachievable in any way.
Applicants who wish to clear the exam with confidence need to invest in getting a quality education and learning that can provide the right knowledge of all the key topics covered in the exam.
The best way to pass the licensing exam is to enroll in a South Carolina real estate license course online or in person based on your learning preferences.
These courses are designed to help you cover the mandatory 90 hours of pre-licensing education.
Plus, you will also get access to sample test questions, mock tests, simulated practice exams, and doubt-clearing sessions from expert trainers.
How Many Questions Are on the South Carolina Real Estate Exam?
In total, you will have to tackle 120 multiple-choice questions covering both state-specific and national-specific portions of the curriculum.
Out of these, there will be around 80 general knowledge questions whereas 40 industry-specific questions.
You will also see around 5 to 10 beta or test questions that do not contribute to your final score in the licensing exam.
What is the Passing Rate for the Real Estate Exam in South Carolina?
As per state-specific data and industry reports, it is estimated that the average pass rate for the national-specific portion is around 56 percent whereas only 47 percent of the applicants are able to clear the state-specific portion.
Tips to Pass the South Carolina Real Estate Exam
If you have set your sights on a career in South Carolina real estate, now is a good time to plan your learning and maximize your preparation.
Here are some actionable and practical tips to help you learn better and pass the exam with confidence:
- Set a consistent schedule for studying and practicing
- Enroll in a South Carolina real estate license course for expert guidance
- Make use of sample tests, practice questions, and mock tests
- Take notes of important topics and make flashcards for key concepts
- Opt for a learning buddy to share your progress and clear your doubts