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.
South Carolina does not issue a separate license for commercial real estate; the state's license classifications (associate, broker, broker-in-charge, property manager, and property manager-in-charge) cover both residential and commercial practice. To become licensed as an associate, an applicant must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, complete 90 hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing education (60-hour Unit I and 30-hour Unit II), pass the PSI-administered exam with 70% on both the national and state portions, complete a background check, and affiliate with a broker-in-charge. An applicant with a juris doctor degree, bachelor of law degree, or a baccalaureate or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited institution is exempt from the pre-licensing education requirement.
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.
In South Carolina, a "real estate salesperson" and a "real estate agent" refer to the same license classification. The 2024 Real Estate Practice Act (Act No. 204, effective May 21, 2024) changed the statutory term from "salesperson" to "associate" throughout state law. An associate is an entry-level licensee who must work under the supervision of a broker-in-charge and may not practice real estate independently.
The distinction between a broker and an associate centers on supervision and independence.
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.
Comparing all three designations reveals differences in licensing, education, and membership requirements.
In South Carolina, an "associate" is the entry-level real estate license requiring 90 hours of pre-licensing education, while a broker must be at least 21, complete an additional 60 hours of broker pre-licensing education (Unit IIIA and IIIB), and have 5 years of active associate licensure within the past 7 years. A broker-in-charge is a broker designated to supervise associated licensees and manage a brokerage office. A REALTOR® is not a license type but a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) who agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics; the SC Real Estate Commission is separate from NAR, and ethics is not a state licensing requirement.
A broker can also hold REALTOR® membership by joining the national association.
A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a state-licensed professional who has completed additional education and experience requirements and can operate independently or manage a brokerage. In South Carolina, a broker must be at least 21 years old, hold 5 years of active associate licensure within the past 7 years, and complete 60 hours of broker pre-licensing courses. Becoming a REALTOR® is a voluntary, post-licensing step that requires joining a local association and paying annual dues; the SC Real Estate Commission does not require ethics courses for licensure, as ethics is an association requirement.
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.
To become a real estate broker in South Carolina, an applicant must be at least 21 years old and hold 5 years of active SC associate licensure within the past 7 years, per SC Code Section 40-57-320(A)(2) effective May 21, 2024. The applicant must complete Unit IIIA (Broker Management) and Unit IIIB (Brokerage Principles) pre-licensing courses totaling 60 hours, then pass both the national and state portions of the broker exam administered by PSI. After passing the exam, the applicant must apply for a broker license within one year. To become a Broker-in-Charge, an applicant must first hold an active broker license and then submit a BIC Designation Form with a $250 initial licensing fee.
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.
The dominant factor in obtaining a South Carolina broker license is the experience requirement: 5 years of active associate licensure within the past 7 years, effective May 21, 2024, per SC Act No. 204. The applicant must also be at least 21, complete 60 hours of broker pre-licensing education (Unit IIIA and IIIB), pass the broker exam, and apply for the license within 1 year of passing. Once the experience threshold is met, the coursework and exam can typically be completed within a few months.
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.
A South Carolina broker license requires completion of two pre-licensing courses: Unit IIIA (Broker Management) and Unit IIIB (Brokerage Principles), totaling 60 hours. Broker applicants must be at least 21 years old and have 5 years of active South Carolina associate licensure within the past 7 years, a requirement effective May 21, 2024. Applicants with a juris doctor degree, bachelor of law, baccalaureate, or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited institution are exempt from pre-licensing education.
Course delivery options vary by approved provider.
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.
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:
| Portion | Questions | Total points | Passing score | Passing % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National | 75 | 80 | 60 | 75% |
| State | 50 | 50 | 36 | 72% |
These thresholds are higher than the salesperson exam, which requires 70% on both portions, per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin[5].
The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for South Carolina outlines exam topics for both the national and state portions and serves as the primary study reference. Testable state subject matter includes SC License Law, SC Regulations, the Residential Property Disclosure Act, the Landlord Tenant Act, the Time Sharing Plans Act, the Land Sales Practice Act, and trust account guidelines. PSI also offers practice tests and study materials through its online store. The Commission sends exam-eligible candidates an email with scheduling information once their application is approved.
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.
Active broker licensees in South Carolina need 10 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle, consisting of 4 hours of mandatory core courses and 6 hours of elective courses. Broker-in-Charge licensees have a different 10-hour structure: 4 hours of BIC course, 4 hours of mandatory core, and 2 hours of electives. Up to 4 hours of elective courses may be carried forward to another renewal period. CE must be completed before submitting the license renewal.
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.
Sources
- SC LLR — Real Estate FAQGovernmentAugust 2026
- South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 40, Chapter 57, Section 40-57-310EducationAugust 2026
- SC LLR — Real Estate Commission Pubs (Applications & Requirements)GovernmentAugust 2026
- PSI — RE Exam OverviewGovernmentAugust 2026
- PSI Services LLC — South Carolina Real Estate Commission Candidate Information BulletinEducationAugust 2026
- South Carolina Code of Laws § 40-57-320(B)(4) via southcarolinastateauthority.com; SCLLR (llr.sc.gov)EducationAugust 2026
- BLS OOH — Real Estate Brokers & AgentsGovernmentMay 2026
- SC LLR — RE Renewal FAQGovernmentAugust 2026
- SC LLR — Real Estate CEGovernmentAugust 2026