South Dakota licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in South Dakota
A practical step-by-step guide to South Dakota licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
South Dakota licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 29, 2026
- License type
- Broker Associate (salesperson equivalent)
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 116 hours
- Exam provider
- PSI Services
- Estimated cost
- $800–$1,300
- Estimated timeline
- 3–6 months
- Renewal cycle
- Biennial (every 2 years)
South Dakota broker associates and brokers renewing an active license must complete **24 hours of continuing education** during the preceding two license years. At least 12 hours must cover required subject areas and the remaining hours may be electives. New broker associates must complete **60 hours of post‑licensing education** during their first two license cycles (two 30‑hour segments).
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Complete 116‑hour pre‑licensing education
Enroll in a South Dakota Real Estate Commission‑approved program totaling 116 hours and covering principles, law, finance and real‑estate practices.
Submit application and background check
Submit your broker‑associate application with the required fee and fingerprint/background documents (approximately $225) to the Commission.
Schedule and pass the PSI exam
Schedule the national and state exams with PSI. The combined exam fee is $98.
Obtain license and affiliate with a broker
After passing the exam, pay the license issuance fee and affiliate with a South Dakota brokerage.
Complete post‑licensing education
During your first two licensing cycles, complete 60 hours of post‑licensing education (two 30‑hour courses).
Renew license and complete continuing education
Every two years, complete 24 hours of continuing education—12 hours required topics and 12 hours electives—before renewing your license.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $800–$1,300. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing education | $500–$800 | Cost for 116‑hour pre‑license coursework. |
| Application & background fees | $225 | Approximate cost for application, fingerprint processing and license issuance. |
| Exam fee | $98 | PSI examination fee for the combined broker associate exam. |
| Post‑licensing courses | $200–$400 | Cost for the 60‑hour post‑licensing program required over the first two cycles. |
| Continuing education | $150–$300 | Cost for 24‑hour CE package every two years. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
How many hours of pre‑licensing education are required?
South Dakota requires broker‑associate candidates to complete 116 hours of commission‑approved pre‑licensing education.
What continuing education is required?
Broker associates and brokers must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, including 12 hours in required subjects.
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.