South Carolina licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in South Carolina
A practical step-by-step guide to South Carolina licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
South Carolina licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 27, 2026
- License type
- Salesperson
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 90 hours
- Exam provider
- PSI Services (PSI)
- Estimated cost
- $350–$800
- Estimated timeline
- 3–5 months
- Renewal cycle
- Biennial (every 2 years)
Active salesperson licensees must complete 10 hours of continuing education each renewal cycle—4 hours of mandatory/core coursework and 6 hours of elective topics.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Meet eligibility requirements
You must be at least 18 years old and possess a high‑school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 90 hours of pre‑licensing education
Finish 60 hours of Unit I (Real Estate Fundamentals) and 30 hours of Unit II (Advanced Real Estate Principles) at a commission‑approved school.
Submit application and fingerprints
File the Salesperson or Associate License Application with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, pay the $25 application fee and submit a fingerprint‑based background check.
Pass the PSI licensing exam
Schedule and take the South Carolina salesperson examination administered by PSI. The national and state portions cost approximately $63 combined.
Obtain your license
After passing the exam, pay the $50 initial license fee and the Guaranty Fund assessment (if applicable), secure sponsorship from a broker‑in‑charge and receive your license.
Maintain license and continuing education
Renew your license every two years, paying the renewal fee (currently about $45 for associates). Complete 10 hours of continuing education each renewal cycle, including 4 hours of mandatory/core coursework and 6 hours elective topics.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $350–$800. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing course | $135–$500 | Cost of the 90‑hour pre‑licensing curriculum (60‑hour Unit I and 30‑hour Unit II) varies by provider. |
| Application fee | $25 | Non‑refundable application fee. |
| Exam fee | $63 | PSI charges approximately $63 for the salesperson exam. |
| Initial license fee | $50 | Fee to obtain the initial salesperson license. |
| Renewal fee | $45 | Biennial renewal fee for an associate license. |
| Continuing education | $50–$100 | Cost for the 10‑hour continuing‑education package every two years. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
Who administers the South Carolina licensing exam?
The South Carolina Real Estate Commission contracts with PSI Services LLC to develop and administer the salesperson examination.
How many hours of continuing education are required?
Salesperson licensees must complete 10 hours of continuing education every two years—4 hours of mandatory/core coursework and 6 hours of electives.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.