Cost to get a South Carolina real estate license

The total cost to get a South Carolina real estate license typically runs from approximately $580 to $1,100, with pre-licensing education as the largest variable expense. The South Carolina Real Estate Commission requires 90 hours of approved coursework, a PSI-administered exam, and a criminal background check before issuing an associate license. South Carolina also maintains reciprocity with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission and Georgia, which can reduce education costs for licensees transferring from those states.

Total cost breakdown for a South Carolina real estate license

The cost of a South Carolina real estate license falls into one-time expenses to get licensed and recurring expenses to stay active. The table below summarizes each cost item for an associate (salesperson) license.

Pre-licensing education drives the widest portion of the range because providers set their own prices. A candidate who selects a lower-cost package and passes the exam on the first attempt can expect to spend closer to $580, while premium education packages and exam retakes push the total above $1,000.

Pre-licensing education costs

Pre-licensing real estate classes are the largest expense in obtaining a South Carolina license, with course packages typically ranging from approximately $400 to $900. The SC Real Estate Commission^[1] requires two pre-licensing courses: Unit I (Principles and Practices) and Unit II (Advanced Real Estate Principles). Unit I must be completed before applying for the exam, and Unit II must be completed before applying for a license.

The Commission allows all pre-licensing courses to be completed online, and self-paced online formats typically cost less than in-person or virtual-live instruction. Course certificates remain valid for 5 years for first-time applicants, giving candidates flexibility in when they schedule their exam.

Exam and licensing fees

The real estate exam cost in South Carolina is $63 for both the national and state portions combined, or $55 for a single-portion retake, according to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for South Carolina^[2] (updated January 1, 2026). PSI administers the exam on behalf of the Commission, and the fee is paid directly to PSI at registration.

Before registering, applicants pay an exam application fee of approximately $25 to the Commission to become exam-eligible. The Commission's licensing publications page^[3] confirms that the exam registration fee is paid to PSI and that PSI notifies applicants within 48 hours of eligibility approval. After passing both portions, a license issuance fee of approximately $50 is paid to the Commission to receive the associate license.

If a candidate fails one portion, only that portion must be retaken at the $55 single-portion rate. Failing both portions requires a full retake at $63.

Background check and fingerprinting fees

South Carolina requires a criminal background check for all real estate license applicants, and the process typically costs around $40. The Commission FAQ^[1] states that background checks involve SLED (state), FBI (national), and Social Security number-based checks, and it can take three or more weeks for the Commission to receive results.

The Commission cannot accept third-party background checks from other agencies or boards. Background checks must be conducted specifically for South Carolina real estate licensure, even if an applicant has a recent check from another state or profession. Background checks are also required every third renewal cycle for active licensees, under SC Code Section 40-57-340^[4].

License renewal and continuing education costs

After obtaining a license, South Carolina agents face recurring costs for renewal and continuing education. The renewal cycle is biennial, with licenses expiring June 30 of even-numbered years, per the Commission's renewal FAQ^[4].

Active associates and brokers must complete 10 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle, per the Commission's CE page^[5]. Licensees can carry forward up to 4 hours of elective courses to the next period. Inactive licensees do not need CE until reactivation but must still renew their licenses.

Association dues, MLS, and insurance costs

Beyond renewal fees, agents should budget for professional association membership, MLS access, insurance, and continuing education. CE packages from approved providers typically cost approximately $100 to $250 per cycle, varying by provider and package features.

NAR membership costs $201 per year in national dues for 2027 ($156 dues plus $45 Consumer Advertising Campaign assessment), according to the NAR dues page^[6]. State and local association dues vary by location and are additional, bringing total REALTOR® membership to approximately $400 to $900 per year.

MLS access through South Carolina local associations typically costs approximately $300 to $600 per year and is often bundled with board dues. Errors and omissions insurance, while not mandated by the Commission for individual licensees, is commonly required by brokerages and typically costs several hundred dollars annually. The NAR Member Profile^[7] reports that REALTORS® spent a median of $8,010 on business expenses in 2024, covering marketing, transportation, office costs, and insurance.

South Carolina agent income and commission

South Carolina-specific data from the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics^[8] shows that 340 agents in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort metro area earned a mean of $72,350 annually as of May 2023. Transaction volume and commission rates negotiated with each client determine individual take-home pay.

Broker license costs in South Carolina

The Commission's publications page^[3] lists the initial licensing fee for a broker-in-charge at $250. Broker licensure requires additional pre-licensing education beyond the associate-level coursework.

Lowest-cost path to a South Carolina real estate license

Applicants who hold a JD, bachelor of law, baccalaureate, or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited institution are exempt from the entire pre-licensing education requirement, per the Commission FAQ^[1]. South Carolina also maintains reciprocity with Georgia and North Carolina, which can reduce or eliminate education requirements for licensees transferring from those states.

The Commission allows all pre-licensing courses to be completed online, and self-paced formats typically cost less than in-person instruction. Requesting pricing from multiple approved schools before enrolling can reveal savings of several hundred dollars across the required coursework. If you are ready to become a real estate agent in South Carolina, total your one-time costs using the breakdown above, compare education providers, and submit your exam application as soon as your coursework is complete.