Key Takeaways
- South Carolina associate applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED
- Pre-license education requirement is 90 hours: Unit I (60 hours) + Unit II (30 hours)
- The exam has 120 scored questions: 80 national and 40 state-specific questions
- Passing score is 70% on each portion (56/80 national, 28/40 state)
- Total exam time is 200 minutes; applicants must pass both portions within one year
South Carolina License Requirements
South Carolina has specific requirements for associate (salesperson) and broker licenses. Understanding these requirements is essential for the state exam.
Associate (Salesperson) License Requirements
1. Age and Legal Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Show proof of good moral character
- Pass a criminal background check (SLED and FBI)
2. Education Requirements
Complete 90 hours of pre-license education from a Commission-approved school:
| Course | Hours | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Unit I: Fundamentals of Real Estate | 60 hours | Real estate law, contracts, financing, property ownership, agency |
| Unit II: Advanced Real Estate Principles | 30 hours | Ethics, fair housing, agency disclosure, practical applications |
| Total | 90 hours |
Important: Both courses have final exams requiring a 70% passing score.
Education Exemptions
These applicants may be exempt from pre-license courses:
- Law degree holders
- Four-year degree with major in real estate
3. Examination
| Detail | Associate Exam |
|---|---|
| Total Scored Questions | 120 multiple-choice |
| National Portion | 80 questions |
| State Portion | 40 questions |
| Time Limit | 200 minutes total (120 national, 80 state) |
| Passing Score | 70% on each portion |
| Required Scores | 56/80 national, 28/40 state |
| Exam Provider | PSI |
| Exam Validity | Must pass both portions within 1 year |
Note: You may see 5-10 pretest questions that don't count toward your score.
4. Background Check
All applicants must submit to two background checks:
- SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) check
- FBI criminal history review
- Fingerprints submitted through approved vendor
Broker License Requirements
To become a South Carolina real estate broker, you must meet additional requirements:
Experience Requirement
- Three to five years of active experience as a licensed associate within the preceding five to seven years
- Must be documented as "Active" status during that time
Note: The exact experience requirement may vary; check current SCREC rules for the most up-to-date information.
Education Requirements
Complete 60 additional hours of broker-level education:
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| Unit IIIA: Broker Management | 30 hours |
| Unit IIIB: Brokerage Principles | 30 hours |
| Total Broker Courses | 60 hours |
Education waiver: A four-year university degree in real estate may waive the broker education requirement.
Broker Examination
| Detail | Broker Exam |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 115 (80 national + 35 state) |
| Time Limit | 3 hours |
| National Passing Score | 60 correct (75%) |
| State Passing Score | 25 correct (approximately 71%) |
License Fees
| Fee Type | Associate | Broker | Broker-in-Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Application | ~$75 | ~$125 | ~$250 |
| Biennial Renewal | $45 | $55 | $75/office |
| Exam Fee | ~$65 | ~$65 | N/A |
| Background Check | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Application Process
- Complete education at Commission-approved school (90 hours)
- Submit application through LLR online portal
- Pay application fee
- Submit fingerprints for background checks (SLED and FBI)
- Receive examination eligibility
- Schedule and pass exam at PSI testing center
- Find sponsoring broker-in-charge (associates must affiliate)
- Activate license through sponsoring BIC
What is the minimum age requirement for a South Carolina real estate associate license?
How many hours of pre-license education are required for a South Carolina associate license?
What is the passing score for the South Carolina real estate associate exam?
If a candidate passes the national portion but fails the state portion of the SC exam, what must they do?