How to get a South Carolina real estate license

Getting a South Carolina real estate license takes five main steps: meet the basic requirements, finish your pre-licensing education, pass a background check, pass the state exam, and join a sponsoring broker. From scenic coastlines to growing metro markets, the Palmetto State is a strong place to build a real estate career.

This guide walks through each step, what it costs, and how long it takes, with the requirements drawn from the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.

What are the requirements to get a South Carolina real estate license?

To get a South Carolina real estate license, you must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete 90 hours of approved pre-licensing education, pass a background check, pass the state exam, and work under a sponsoring broker. A South Carolina salesperson license is the state credential, issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, that lets you represent buyers and sellers under a broker. The Commission, part of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), sets and enforces these requirements.

How much pre-licensing education do you need in South Carolina?

South Carolina requires 90 hours of approved pre-licensing education, split into a 60-hour Unit I course and a 30-hour Unit II course. Unit I covers real estate fundamentals like property law, contracts, and basic practice, and qualifies you to sit for the salesperson exam. Unit II, called Advanced Real Estate Principles, builds on Unit I. You take a school-administered final exam at the end of your coursework to earn your completion certificate.

If you want a flexible way to finish the requirement, see US Realty Training's South Carolina pre-licensing program.

How do you apply for and pass the South Carolina exam?

You apply through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, then schedule the exam with PSI once you're approved. After your education and background check are done, submit the SCREC exam application with your course certificate. The Commission confirms your eligibility, which is valid for one year, and PSI handles scheduling and testing.

The salesperson exam has a national portion and a South Carolina portion, and you need 70% on each to pass. For the full question breakdown, current fees, testing locations, and study tips, read our dedicated guide to the South Carolina real estate exam. To sharpen your test-taking, our guides on passing the PSI exam and passing the real estate exam on your first try help too.

How much does a South Carolina real estate license cost?

Expect to spend roughly $500 to $1,000 total. Pre-licensing courses run about $300 to $700 depending on the provider, the exam costs $88 (a $25 application fee plus a $63 exam fee), the background check and fingerprinting run about $80, and the license fee is paid to the Commission. Here's the breakdown:

Do you need a sponsoring broker in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina salespeople cannot work independently and must affiliate with a licensed sponsoring broker before the license is active. Choose your brokerage on training, mentorship, and culture, not only the commission split, especially in your first year. The right firm gives a new agent leads, support, and a faster path to closing the first deals.

How long does it take to get licensed in South Carolina?

Most people get licensed in about three to five months, depending on how quickly you finish the 90 hours and clear the background check and application steps. The coursework is self-paced at most schools, so your timeline is largely in your hands. Build in a few weeks for the Commission to process your application and for PSI scheduling.

The bottom line on getting licensed in South Carolina

Earning your South Carolina real estate license comes down to five steps: meet the basics, finish 90 hours of education, clear your background check, pass the exam, and sign with a broker. Handle them in order and you'll be representing clients in the Palmetto State before long.

Ready to start? Enroll in US Realty Training's South Carolina pre-licensing program and get the courses, certificates, and support to move through the process with less stress.