Getting a South Carolina real estate license involves completing pre-licensing education at a Commission-approved real estate school, passing a two-part licensing exam, clearing a background check, and affiliating with a broker-in-charge. The South Carolina Real Estate Commission[1], operating under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), regulates brokers, associates, and property managers under SC Code 40-57-10 and oversees every step from application through renewal.
To obtain a South Carolina associate real estate license, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete 90 hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing education: Unit I (60 hours) and Unit II (30 hours). Unit I must be completed before taking the PSI-administered licensing exam, which requires 70% on both the national and state portions (120 questions total); Unit II can be completed after the exam but must be finished before the license is issued. The applicant must also complete fingerprint and background checks (which can take 3 or more weeks for the Commission to receive results), affiliate with a broker-in-charge, and apply for the license within 1 year of passing the exam. An applicant with a juris doctor, bachelor of law, or baccalaureate or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited institution is exempt from the pre-licensing education requirement.See the answer for every state
The overall timeline varies based on your study pace and how quickly the background check processes.
South Carolina requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education (a 60-hour Unit I course and a 30-hour Unit II course), a fingerprint and Social Security number-based background check that can take three or more weeks for the Commission to receive, and a passing score on the licensing exam administered by PSI. Most candidates complete the process within a few months, though the timeline depends on study pace and scheduling. Applicants must submit a license application within one year of passing the exam.See the answer for every state
Who qualifies for a South Carolina real estate license
The state sets minimum age, education, and legal-status prerequisites for associate license applicants, and a copy of your Social Security card is required before a license is issued, per the SC Real Estate Commission FAQ[2]. You must be legally eligible to work in the United States, and DACA status recipients are not able to receive a professional license in South Carolina.
Foreign diplomas must be evaluated for equivalency through a NACES or AICE member organization if not already approved by a U.S. state Department of Education.
To obtain an SC associate real estate license, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete 90 hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing education: Unit I (60 hours) and Unit II (30 hours). Applicants must pass both the national and state portions of the PSI-administered licensing exam with at least 70% on each, complete fingerprint and background checks through SLED and FBI, and affiliate with a broker-in-charge to activate the license. An applicant with a juris doctor degree, bachelor of law, baccalaureate, or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited institution is exempt from pre-licensing education.See the answer for every state
The difficulty of obtaining a license depends on preparation and background check outcomes.
Obtaining a South Carolina real estate license requires completing 90 hours of pre-licensing education, passing a 120-question licensing exam with a 70% minimum score on each portion, and clearing state and federal background checks. The first-time pass rate for the exam is approximately 56%, based on available testing data, though no South Carolina regulator or exam vendor officially publishes a statewide pass rate. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or equivalent.See the answer for every state
Complete pre-licensing education
Pre-licensing education is the first substantive step toward licensure, and courses must be taken through a Commission-approved provider. The course certificate is valid for 5 years for first-time applicants; for applicants reapplying after failing both portions of the exam, the certificate is valid for 3 years, per the SC Real Estate Commission FAQ[2].
If you fail a course final exam, you may retake it twice. A third failure requires retaking the entire pre-licensing course, under Regulation 105-6(C)(5)(f)[2].
South Carolina requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education for an associate license: Unit I (60-hour Principles and Practices) and Unit II (30-hour Advanced Real Estate Principles). Unit I must be completed before taking the licensing exam, and Unit II must be completed before a license is issued. For a broker license, Unit IIIA and Unit IIIB (60 hours total) are required, and for a property manager license, a Property Management Course is required. Applicants with a juris doctor degree, bachelor of law degree, baccalaureate degree, or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited institution are exempt from pre-licensing education.See the answer for every state
Course format flexibility is an important consideration for working adults balancing study with employment.
Yes, the South Carolina Real Estate Commission allows pre-licensing courses to be completed online. Commission-approved courses are offered both online and in-person, and all pre-licensing courses must be approved by the SC Real Estate Commission. The Commission's Pre-Licensing page lists approved providers and courses under Document 140, with a course calendar under Document 150.See the answer for every state
Finding an approved provider is the next step after deciding on a format.
Pre-licensing courses must be approved by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, and Commission-approved courses are offered both online and in person. Approved providers and courses are listed under Document 140 (Pre-Exam Course Provider and Courses) on the SC LLR Pre-Licensing page, and a calendar of scheduled courses appears under Document 150. The SC Real Estate Commission allows all coursework, including proctored final exams, to be completed entirely online through approved providers.See the answer for every state
Submit your application and background check
The associate license application is submitted online through the LLR portal with notarized documents and payment, per the SC Real Estate Commission publications page[3]. The online application must be submitted within 30 days of starting it, and it is not complete until payment is received. Once submitted, you have 1 year to complete and submit all required information.
State-required fees cover the exam application, exam administration through PSI, initial licensure, and background check.
The total cost to obtain a South Carolina real estate license varies based on the education provider chosen. Pre-licensing education is the largest variable cost, with 90-hour packages (Unit I and Unit II) varying in price by provider and format. Fixed costs include a $63 exam fee paid to PSI upon registration, fingerprinting and background check fees, and application and licensure fees paid to the Commission. Commission-approved providers and courses are listed under Document 140 on the Commission's Pre-Licensing page.See the answer for every state
Take the licensing exam through PSI
Once the Commission approves your application, PSI sends exam eligibility notification within 48 hours, and you register and schedule directly with PSI, per the SC Real Estate Commission publications page[3]. You receive your score report immediately after completing the test.
The South Carolina real estate licensing exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice test administered by PSI under contract with the SC Real Estate Commission. The Associate exam consists of 80 national questions (120 minutes) and 40 state questions (80 minutes), for 120 total questions across 200 minutes. The national portion covers property ownership, financing, agency, contracts, and valuation, while the state portion covers SC license law, agency relationships, and closing details. The minimum passing score is 70% on each portion (56 of 80 national, 28 of 40 state).See the answer for every state
PSI's role as the testing vendor covers more than exam day logistics.
PSI administers the South Carolina real estate licensing exam under contract with the SC Real Estate Commission. Once the Commission approves an application and makes the candidate exam eligible, PSI sends notification within 48 hours. The candidate then registers and schedules directly with PSI, and the examination registration fee is paid to PSI upon registration.See the answer for every state
Activate your license with a broker-in-charge
An active associate license in South Carolina must be affiliated with a broker-in-charge, and you cannot hold affiliations with more than one BIC simultaneously, per the SC Real Estate Commission FAQ[2]. The BIC submits the affiliation through the LLR Licensee Portal, and the license becomes active once processed.
South Carolina requires all active associate and broker licensees to work under the supervision of a licensed broker-in-charge (BIC). To find a sponsoring broker, applicants should research brokerages in their area, contact several to schedule interviews, and ask about commission splits, training programs, and mentorship opportunities. An active license cannot be issued without affiliation with a BIC; without one, the license is placed on inactive status and the licensee cannot practice real estate.See the answer for every state
What happens without a sponsoring broker
If you do not have a company to work for and are not under the supervision of a South Carolina-licensed broker-in-charge, your license will be placed on inactive status, per the SC Real Estate Commission FAQ[2]. Inactive licenses cannot practice real estate.
To reactivate an inactive license, you must submit a Reactivation of Licensure application with proof of continuing education and a reactivation fee through the LLR Licensee Portal[4]. Reactivation processing takes 7 to 10 business days, and a criminal background check is required if your last one was completed before 2021. Inactivation itself takes 3 to 5 business days to process.
Real estate agent, broker, and real estate agent in South Carolina
South Carolina issues five license classifications: associate, broker, broker-in-charge, property manager, and property manager-in-charge, per the SC Real Estate Commission[1]. Licensees may not hold multiple classifications simultaneously.
In South Carolina, an associate (formerly called a salesperson) must be licensed under a broker-in-charge and may not practice independently. A broker has completed additional pre-licensing education (Unit IIIA and Unit IIIB, 60 hours total) and must hold at least 5 years of active SC associate licensure within the past 7 years. A broker-in-charge is a broker who has been designated to supervise a real estate office, with responsibilities including reviewing contracts, maintaining trust accounts, and ensuring associated licensees hold active licenses. No individual may hold more than one license classification at the same time.See the answer for every state
A real estate agent is a generic term for anyone licensed to facilitate real estate transactions. A REALTOR® is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining a real estate license, then joining a local REALTOR® association and paying membership dues, which automatically provides membership in the state and national associations. NAR national dues for 2027 are $156 plus a $45 special assessment, totaling $201 per member, with additional state and local association dues varying by location.See the answer for every state
To become a REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent must join a local REALTOR® association and pay membership dues, which automatically provides membership in the state and national associations. NAR national dues are $156 per year plus a $45 special assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign, totaling $201 annually for 2027, with state and local dues additional and varying by location. The principal of a real estate firm must join a REALTOR® association before any non-principal can join. REALTORS® must adhere to NAR's Code of Ethics, which is an association requirement, not a state licensing requirement in South Carolina.See the answer for every state
Next steps
The first step is enrolling in a Commission-approved Unit I pre-licensing course. You can find approved providers through the SC LLR Real Estate Commission[1] website. After completing Unit I, begin the online application through the LLR portal to become exam eligible, then schedule your exam with PSI once approved. Complete Unit II and affiliate with a broker-in-charge to receive your active license.
