South Carolina real estate school and pre-licensing course requirements

South Carolina requires two Commission-approved pre-licensing courses to earn an associate real estate license: a 60-hour Unit I course and a 30-hour Unit II course, according to the SC LLR Real Estate FAQ^[1]. The Commission sets curriculum standards, approves providers, and regulates school final exam rules under S.C. Code Regs. § 105-6^[2]. Finding the right real estate school starts with understanding what each course covers and what the state requires before you can sit for the licensing exam.

South Carolina pre-licensing course structure

South Carolina's associate license requires two Commission-approved pre-licensing courses. A calendar of scheduled courses is published under Document 150 on the Commission's Real Estate Division^[3] page.

Unit I: Principles and Practices (60 hours)

Unit I covers the foundational knowledge every South Carolina real estate associate needs, spanning property ownership, contracts, agency relationships, finance, and state license law. The 60-hour course is the prerequisite for the state licensing exam, covering the national and state topics tested on the exam.

Topics covered in Unit I include:

• Real property characteristics and forms of ownership
• Government controls and laws affecting real estate
• Pricing of real properties
• Real estate finance
• Settlement and closings
• Agency and other brokerage relationships
• Contracts
• Ethics
• Fair housing
• South Carolina Real Estate License Law and Commission regulations

The state-specific portion addresses South Carolina license law, Commission regulations, the Residential Property Disclosure Act, the Landlord and Tenant Act, the Time Sharing Plans Act, the Land Sales Practice Act, and trust account guidelines, as listed in the SC LLR Real Estate FAQ^[1]. This real estate salesperson training forms the knowledge base for both the national and state portions of the licensing exam.

Unit II: Advanced Real Estate Principles (30 hours)

Unit II builds on Unit I with 30 hours of advanced topics in agency disclosure, contracts, ethics, valuation, and specialty areas. This course does not need to be completed before the licensing exam, but it must be finished before you submit your license application.

Topics covered in Unit II include:

• Agency and property disclosure
• Real estate contracts
• Ethics and real estate
• Measurements and valuation
• Real estate specialty topics, including fair housing and technology

Unit II goes deeper into the practical applications of real estate principles, preparing students for real-world transactions beyond exam content. Some providers integrate a real estate exam prep course into Unit II as a capstone review.

Can you take the pre-licensing course online?

Yes, South Carolina allows prospective agents to complete pre-licensing coursework entirely online. Commission-approved providers offer self-paced online real estate courses, live virtual classes, and in-person instruction, so students can choose the format that fits their schedule.

Many online providers also administer the required proctored final exam through remote proctoring services, allowing students to complete the entire process without visiting a physical testing center. For students who prefer face-to-face instruction, several South Carolina schools offer in-person real estate classes in cities including Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg. Live virtual classes combine scheduled sessions with online access for students who want to study real estate online with the structure of a classroom.

Course completion time varies by study pace. At 40 hours per week, a student can finish the coursework in approximately 2 weeks. At 20 hours per week, completion takes about 4.5 weeks. At 10 hours per week, expect 9 weeks, and at 5 hours per week, the coursework spans roughly 18 weeks.

School final exam: scoring, proctoring, and retake rules

Under S.C. Code Regs. § 105-6^[2], each pre-licensing course requires a proctored final exam with a minimum passing score of 70%. The regulation limits retake attempts to two: after two failed attempts, a student must retake the entire pre-licensing course before being eligible to sit for the course exam again, as confirmed by the SC LLR Real Estate FAQ^[1].

Some providers structure courses with chapter quizzes or level assessments in addition to the proctored final. These internal assessments may have different passing thresholds, but the proctored final exam must meet the regulatory minimum.

Course certificate validity

For first-time associate, broker, or broker-in-charge applicants, the pre-licensing course certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of completion, according to the SC LLR Real Estate FAQ^[1]. Candidates who do not pass both the state and national portions of the licensing exam within that window must retake the course.

For applicants reapplying after failing to successfully complete both portions of the examination, the certificate is valid for 3 years. This shorter period applies specifically to candidates who did not pass both sections on their initial attempt.

Pre-licensing course pricing

Pre-licensing course packages in South Carolina vary widely in price depending on the provider, format, and included features. Courses are sold as complete bundles or as individual units.

Additional state-required fees, including exam registration and license application fees, apply separately.

Choosing an approved real estate school in South Carolina

The South Carolina Real Estate Commission maintains a list of approved providers and courses under Document 140 on its Real Estate Division^[3] page. Verifying a school's approval status is the first step before enrolling, because only Commission-approved courses satisfy the pre-licensing education requirement.

When searching for a real estate school near me or comparing real estate classes near me, consider these factors:

• Format: Self-paced online, live virtual, or in-person classroom
• Schedule: Daytime, evening, weekend, or flexible self-paced options
• Course access period: Most providers allow 6 months; check extension and reactivation policies
• Exam prep integration: Some packages include a real estate license prep course with practice tests and sample questions
• Instructor support: Availability of live help, student community access, and response times
• Pass guarantee: Some providers offer tuition refunds or continued support if you fail the licensing exam

RealEstateU offers South Carolina pre-licensing courses in an online, self-paced format. Multiple other Commission-approved providers offer courses in online, in-person, and hybrid formats, with options ranging from self-paced modules to live classroom instruction. Schooling for real estate in South Carolina can begin with any approved provider, so comparing format, schedule, and support features helps match a course to your learning style.

Education exemptions from pre-licensing courses

Applicants who hold a juris doctor degree, bachelor of law degree, baccalaureate degree, or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university are exempt from the pre-licensing education requirement, according to the SC LLR Real Estate FAQ^[1]. These candidates can proceed directly to the licensing exam without completing either course.

South Carolina maintains reciprocity with Georgia and North Carolina only. Licensees from those states who qualify for licensure by reciprocity do not need to complete the South Carolina pre-licensing courses. All other out-of-state applicants must complete both required courses.

Broker and property manager pre-licensing courses

Broker and property manager licenses require coursework beyond the associate pre-licensing curriculum. The broker pathway adds broker-specific education across two courses, plus prior active experience as a licensed agent.

Property manager applicants must complete a Commission-approved Property Management Course. Those pursuing a Property Manager-in-Charge designation need an additional PMIC designation course. Both are separate from the associate pre-licensing curriculum.

What to do after completing the course

After completing Unit I and passing the school final exam, apply to the South Carolina Real Estate Commission for examination eligibility. Once the Commission approves a completed application, PSI sends exam authorization within 48 hours, according to the SC LLR publications page^[4]. After passing the state licensing exam, complete Unit II if you have not already, affiliate with a sponsoring broker-in-charge, and submit your license application within one year of passing the exam.