Key Takeaways
- South Dakota real estate licenses expire on November 30 of even or odd years depending on issue date
- Licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every 2 years
- At least 12 of the 24 CE hours must be in required subject areas (contracts, license law, fair housing, ethics)
- New broker associates must complete 60 hours of post-license education over their first two renewal cycles
- No more than 8 hours of CE may be taken in one day
License Maintenance and Renewal
South Dakota real estate licenses require ongoing maintenance through continuing education and timely renewal.
License Terms and Fees
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| License term | 2 years |
| Expiration date | November 30 (even or odd years based on issue) |
| Renewal fee | Varies by license type |
Continuing Education Requirements
General CE Requirements (24 hours per renewal cycle)
| Category | Hours |
|---|---|
| Required subject areas | 12 hours minimum |
| Elective courses | 12 hours maximum |
| Total | 24 hours |
Required Subject Areas (12 hours from these topics)
Licensees must complete at least 12 hours in any combination of:
- Real Estate Contracts
- Real Estate License Law
- Fair Housing
- Ethics
- Environmental Issues
- Antitrust
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Brokerage Services
CE By License Type
| License Type | CE Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Broker Associate | 24 hours |
| Responsible Broker | 24 hours |
| Property Manager | 24 hours |
| Residential Rental Agent | 12 hours |
Daily Limits
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum CE hours per day | 8 hours |
| Online CE hours limit | No limit |
Important: All CE courses must be approved by the South Dakota Real Estate Commission.
Post-License Education Requirements
New broker associates must complete 60 hours of post-license education over their first two renewal cycles:
Post-License Period 1 (First Renewal)
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Post-license education | 30 hours |
| Topics | Building on pre-license principles and practices |
Post-License Period 2 (Second Renewal)
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Post-license education | 30 hours |
| Topics | Real estate contracts, license law, fair housing, ethics, environmental issues, antitrust, ADA, brokerage services |
Key Point: Post-license education is separate from and in addition to regular continuing education requirements.
Property Manager Post-License
Property managers licensed on or after January 1, 2019 must complete 30 hours of post-license education, all in required course topics.
Renewal Process
- Complete CE before November 30 expiration
- Log into SDREC online portal
- Submit renewal application
- Pay renewal fee
- Receive renewed license
Non-Resident License Holders
Non-resident brokers and salespersons holding a South Dakota license are exempt from CE requirements if:
- The licensee meets the education requirements in their state of residence
- Proof of compliance is provided to SDREC
License Status Types
| Status | Meaning | Can Practice? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Current, affiliated with broker | Yes |
| Inactive | Not affiliated with broker | No |
| Expired | Not renewed | No |
| Suspended | SDREC disciplinary action | No |
| Revoked | License permanently cancelled | No |
How many hours of continuing education are required to renew a South Dakota broker associate license?
How many hours of post-license education must new South Dakota broker associates complete?
What is the maximum number of CE hours that can be taken in one day in South Dakota?