Broker and real estate agent: South Carolina real estate broker license guide

Becoming a real estate broker in South Carolina requires 5 years of active associate licensure within the past 7 years, 60 hours of broker pre-licensing education, and a passing score on the PSI-administered broker exam. The 2024 Real Estate Practice Act (Act No. 204, effective May 21, 2024) updated these requirements, increasing the experience threshold from 3 to 5 years and replacing the term "salesperson" with "associate" throughout state licensing law. The distinction between a broker and real estate agent matters here: a broker is a state license classification with expanded authority, while a REALTOR® is a membership designation from the National Association of REALTORS® that any licensee can obtain.

What a real estate broker can do in South Carolina

A real estate broker can practice independently, operate a brokerage firm, and supervise associate licensees, while an associate must work under a broker-in-charge and cannot conduct real estate transactions on their own. No individual may hold more than one license classification at the same time, according to the SC LLR Real Estate FAQ^[1].

A broker who wants to manage a brokerage office and supervise associates must obtain the broker-in-charge (BIC) designation. The BIC oversees trust accounts, compliance, and office operations. A supervised licensee can work under only one BIC at a time.

The same broker license applies to residential, commercial, and industrial transactions.

Broker, associate, and REALTOR® designations in South Carolina

South Carolina regulates license classifications separately from voluntary professional memberships, and the 2024 Practice Act updated the official terminology for each.

The distinction between a broker and an associate centers on supervision and independence.

Comparing all three designations reveals differences in licensing, education, and membership requirements.

A broker can also hold REALTOR® membership by joining the national association.

Eligibility requirements for a South Carolina broker license

Three prerequisites determine eligibility for the South Carolina broker license: age, experience, and education. The associate license is the entry point for South Carolina real estate licensure and the prerequisite for broker licensure.

SC Code § 40-57-310^[2] sets the minimum age for a broker applicant at 21. SC Code § 40-57-320(A)(2)^[2] requires 5 years of active licensure as an associate during the preceding 7 years. Act No. 204, effective May 21, 2024, amended both provisions and replaced the term "salesperson" with "associate" throughout the licensing statutes.

Before May 21, 2024, the experience threshold was 3 years of active licensure within the last 5 years. The 2024 Act increased this to 5 years within the past 7 years, and this change affects all broker applications submitted on or after that date.

Applicants must also pass a criminal background check through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the FBI. DACA status recipients are not eligible for professional licensure in South Carolina, per the SC LLR publications page^[3].

Broker pre-licensing education in South Carolina

Broker applicants must complete 60 hours of Commission-approved broker pre-licensing education, per SC Code § 40-57-320(A)(2)^[2]. This education builds on the associate pre-licensing courses already completed.

Course delivery options vary by approved provider.

Certain degree holders may be exempt from the education requirement, per the SC LLR Real Estate FAQ^[1].

For first-time broker applicants, the course completion certificate is valid for 5 years. Applicants reapplying after failing both exam portions have 3 years of certificate validity, per the SC LLR Real Estate FAQ^[1].

The South Carolina broker licensing exam

The broker licensing exam is administered by PSI Services LLC^[4] and tests both national and state-specific real estate knowledge. The exam is proctored and offered at PSI test centers or through online proctoring. According to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin^[5], the broker exam consists of two portions with distinct question counts, point values, and passing thresholds:

These thresholds are higher than the salesperson exam, which requires 70% on both portions, per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin^[5].

Applicants become exam-eligible after the Commission approves their completed application. The SC LLR publications page^[3] states that it takes 48 hours after approval for applicants to receive PSI notification authorizing exam registration. The examination registration fee is paid directly to PSI upon registration.

Applying for your South Carolina broker license

After passing both portions of the broker exam, an applicant has one year to apply for a broker license. SC Code § 40-57-320(B)(4)^[6] requires applicants to submit their license application within one year of passing the exam; applicants who miss this deadline must reapply and retake both exam portions.

The application process follows the online or paper submission route outlined on the SC LLR publications page^[3]. The online application allows 30 days for submission and requires payment to be considered complete. After submission, applicants have one year to provide all required documentation. Pages 4 and 6 of the paper application must be notarized.

Becoming a broker-in-charge in South Carolina

A broker-in-charge (BIC) is a broker who has obtained the BIC designation to supervise associates and manage a brokerage office. To attain BIC licensure, an applicant who does not already hold an active broker or BIC license must first obtain a broker license, according to the SC LLR publications page^[3].

The BIC application process requires completing the Broker-in-Charge Designation Form, submitting it through the document submission portal, and paying the $250 initial licensing fee. The Commission issues the BIC license within 3 to 5 business days of receiving a complete submission.

BICs must maintain a physical office address; PO Boxes and UPS stores are not acceptable, per the SC LLR Real Estate FAQ^[1]. The Commission conducts office inspections on a three-year cycle. Online license transfer is available for brokers moving between brokerages, but only for active-status licenses.

Career outlook for South Carolina real estate brokers

Real estate brokers earn a median annual wage of $72,280, compared to $56,320 for sales agents, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics^[7] (May 2024 data). The BLS projects 3% job growth for real estate brokers and sales agents from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 46,300 openings each year on average. About 54% of brokers and sales agents are self-employed.

Active broker licensees must complete continuing education (CE) to maintain an active license.

The broker renewal fee is $55 per two-year cycle, and the BIC renewal fee is $75 per office, according to the SC LLR Renewal FAQ^[8]. Licenses expire on June 30 every two years, with the renewal period opening on April 1. Associates who complete the broker pre-licensing courses are exempt from CE for the renewal period in which they took the courses, even if they upgrade their license before the renewal period begins, per the SC LLR CE page^[9].

If you meet the experience requirement, your next step is to enroll in Commission-approved broker pre-licensing courses, then submit your application through the SC LLR portal^[3] to become exam-eligible.