How to Become a Real Estate Agent in South Carolina

Who can apply

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate.
• Complete Unit I (60 hours) and Unit II (30 hours) unless an exemption applies.
• Complete the fingerprint and Social Security number background checks.
• Pass the national and state exams.
• Provide notarized verification of lawful presence and a copy of your signed Social Security card.

Step by step

1. Complete Unit I Fundamentals of Real Estate (60 hours) with a Commission-approved provider.
2. Send the associate application with the $25 fee, ID, education proof and lawful presence verification.
3. When the Commission emails instructions, complete the fingerprint and Social Security number background checks.
4. After approval, register with PSI and pass both exam portions within 1 year.
5. Complete Unit II Advanced Real Estate Principles (30 hours) if you have not already.
6. Send the $50 initial license fee, the Supervision Attestation Form and your Unit II certificate to get the license issued.

Training and exam

Training: 90 hours of Commission-approved classroom instruction completed within 5 years before applying: Unit I Fundamentals of Real Estate (60 hours) and Unit II Advanced Real Estate Principles (30 hours). You may take the exam before finishing Unit II. Exempt: law degrees and bachelor's or higher degrees with a real estate major, plus some Georgia and North Carolina reciprocity applicants.

Exam: Given by PSI. National portion: 80 questions, 120 minutes, pass with 56 correct. State portion: 40 questions, 80 minutes, pass with 28 correct. Both together: 200 minutes. Fee: $67 for both portions or $59 for one. Eligibility lasts 1 year with unlimited retakes. After passing, you must apply for the license within 1 year or retake both portions. People with an active license elsewhere (or one expired 6 months or less) take only the state exam.

What it costs in South Carolina

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

The Commission says it can take three or more weeks for it to receive your fingerprint and Social Security number background check results; it processes applications in the order received.

What other sites get wrong about South Carolina

After you're licensed

Renewal: Licenses renew every 2 years and expire June 30 of the renewal year; about half of licensees renew in even years and half in odd years. The associate renewal fee is $45. You need 10 hours of approved CE each 2-year cycle, including a 4-hour mandatory core course, and a new criminal background check at every third renewal. Up to 4 extra elective hours can carry forward.

Good to know in South Carolina

Supervision: Before the license is issued, you must submit a Supervision Attestation Form for the broker-in-charge who will supervise you.

Reciprocity: South Carolina has reciprocity only with Georgia and North Carolina. Georgia licensees licensed by written exam take no exams, and North Carolina reciprocity applicants take the SC state exam.

Application deadline: Your application is good for one year from the date it is received. If everything is not received within that year, you must start over, including paying the application fee again.

Sources

• SC LLR — Associate Licensure Requirements and Application Process (v2.1, 09/29/2025)
• SC LLR — Real Estate Commission FAQ
• SC LLR — License Renewal Resource
• SC Code Title 40 Chapter 57 (Real Estate License Law)
• PSI — South Carolina Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 8/27/2026)