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How to get a real estate license in South Carolina. 90 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: 178. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-04-02. Data verified 2026-04-02. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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36% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$178
Total Gov Fees
120
Exam Questions
2.7 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
CE Required
Renewal Fee
18 years old
Min. Age
South Carolina Real Estate Commission
Authority
⚠ Recent Changes in South Carolina
Take SCREC-approved Unit I (60 hrs) and Unit II (30 hrs) courses.
Estimated time: 3–8 weeks
Schedule via IdentoGO for SLED + FBI check. Cost: ~$40–$50. Can run concurrently with education.
Estimated time: 3+ weeks processing
Submit education completion proof. Pay $25 exam application fee. Commission must approve before you can schedule.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Register at candidate.psiexams.com after receiving eligibility approval. Pay $63 exam fee. Pass both National (56/80 = 70%) and State (28/40 = 70%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Secure sponsorship with a licensed SC BIC. As of 2024, may only work under one BIC.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Apply with $50 fee, proof of passing exam, and BIC sponsorship. License is digital (printable from self-service portal).
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks processing
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Residency | Not required Non-resident licenses available. |
| Citizenship | Not required Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. |
| Background Check | Required Dual check: fingerprint-based (SLED + FBI) AND Social Security number verification via IdentoGO. Cost: ~$40–$50. Processing: 3+ weeks. Every 3rd renewal requires new fingerprint background check. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must be sponsored by a SC-licensed Broker-in-Charge (BIC). As of 2024, associates may only work under ONE BIC. |
Not sure if you need a real estate license? Check whether your state requires one.
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
SCREC-approved schools (online and in-person)
Required Courses
Course cost typically $500–$700 depending on provider and format.
You can also compare approved pre-licensing schools in South Carolina or see our picks for the best real estate programs in South Carolina.
Find approved Real Estate Agent pre-licensing courses at The CE Shop →(affiliate link)
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
120
Total Time
160 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. Available in-person at PSI test centers or via online remote proctoring.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 120 min | 70% |
| State (South Carolina) | 40 | 40 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
Unlimited retakes within 1 year of first attempt. Must wait until the day after a failed attempt. Only failed section needs retaking. If pass one section but fail other, must pass remaining within 6 months or retake both. $63 exam fee + $25 application fee per retake. Single-section retake: $55.
Must pass both portions within 1 year. Must apply for license within 1 year of passing. Test centers: Greenville, Columbia, North Charleston, Beaufort, Myrtle Beach. Exams Monday–Saturday. Cannot self-register — must receive eligibility approval from Commission first. Remote proctoring available through PSI Online.
For study strategies and what to expect on test day, see our guide to passing the real estate exam.
Prepare with realistic Real Estate Licensing Exam practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Application Fee Paid to: SCREC | |
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: PSI Services | |
License Application Fee Paid to: SCREC | |
Fingerprinting / Background Check Paid to: IdentoGO / SLED | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $178 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Budget tip: Online courses are often more affordable than in-person programs. Compare options →(affiliate link)
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in South Carolina with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
June 30 expiration date. Lapsed licenses cancelled if not reinstated within 24 months of expiration.
First Renewal Notes
Same CE requirements as subsequent renewals. No reduced hours for first renewal.
Current Core course (2024–2026): 'Legal Hot Tips.' Military active duty exempt from fees and CE.
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our real estate license renewal guide.
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Limited Reciprocity
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Georgia (GA) | Full reciprocity since 1991 — no exam required. Must be GA-licensed and GA resident. Submit application, license history, and background check. |
| North Carolina (NC) | Reciprocity since January 2024. Must pass SC state exam. Education requirements vary by NC license tier and experience level. |
All other states: endorsement path available. Must pass SC state exam and meet education requirements. Active out-of-state license or expired <6 months required.
Use our reciprocity lookup tool to compare license transfer options across all 50 states.
Real Estate Agent Schools in South Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#31 of 49
Salary
#28 of 49
Cost
#8 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$38,730
25th percentile
Median
$49,990
-11% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$73,040
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,900 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+18% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$49,990
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$49,990
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$54,300
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$59,080
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
State Real Estate Licensing Exam — 2024-2025National rate
61%
First-time Pass Rate
National average. Varies significantly by state (e.g., CA ~44%, FL ~50-55%, TX ~56%).
Source: Colibri Real Estate / State Licensing Boards (2024)
Pass rates are approximate national averages and may vary by state, exam provider, and candidate preparation.
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: SC LLR — Real Estate Commission
Estimated total: 5–24 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: SC LLR — Real Estate Commission
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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South Carolina ranks #7 out of 51 for lowest real estate agent licensing fees ($178). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours · Fewest Training Hours
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Real Estate Agent requirements in nearby states
| State | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (you) | 5–24 wks | |
| Georgia | 5–24 wks | → |
| North Carolina | 4–24 wks | → |
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Carolina.
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