How to Become a Real Estate Agent in South Carolina

South Carolina’s thriving real estate market–fueled by steady growth in cities like Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia–offers strong opportunities for those looking to launch a career in real estate. To legally represent buyers and sellers in property transactions across the state, you must first earn your South Carolina real estate license.

The South Carolina Real Estate Commission (SCREC) outlines the specific education, exam, and application steps required to become a licensed real estate agent. Whether you’re starting fresh or changing careers, completing the licensing process can open the door to rewarding work in residential or commercial real estate.

To get started, follow these steps to earn your South Carolina real estate license:

• Meet the basic eligibility requirements
• Complete 90 hours of SCREC-approved prelicensing education
• Pass the South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson Exam
• Complete fingerprinting and a background check
• Submit your license application to the SCREC
• Start working under the supervision of a licensed South Carolina broker

Table of Contents

• Steps to Get a South Carolina Real Estate License
• Continuing Education and License Renewal in South Carolina
• South Carolina Real Estate License Reciprocity

Steps to Get a South Carolina Real Estate License

Each step in South Carolina’s licensing process is designed to ensure new agents are well-prepared to represent clients and navigate real estate transactions professionally. Below is a breakdown of what you’ll need to complete to earn your license:

Step 1: Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a real estate salesperson license in South Carolina, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Be legally eligible to work in the United States

Step 2: Complete 90 Hours of Prelicensing Education

South Carolina requires prospective real estate agents to complete a total of 90 hours of approved prelicensing education, which is split into two parts:

• 60-Hour Unit I - Real Estate Principles and Practices: This foundational course covers the basics of real estate law, contracts, financing, property ownership, and agency relationships. You must complete this unit before scheduling the licensing exam.
• 30-Hour Unit II - Advanced Real Estate Principles: This course dives deeper into topics like ethics, fair housing, agency disclosure, and practical applications in real estate transactions. It can be taken before or after the exam, but must be completed prior to submitting your license application.

All coursework must be completed through a school approved by the SCREC.

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Step 3: Pass the South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson Exam

After completing the Unit I course, you are eligible to take the South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson Exam, which is administered by PSI. Here’s what to expect:

• The exam consists of two parts: national and state-specific sections
• You must pass both sections with a score of at least 70%
• You will receive a score report immediately after testing

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Step 4: Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check

South Carolina law requires all real estate applicants to undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting through a state-approved vendor. This process includes the following steps:

• You will receive instructions on how to complete this process after submitting your exam application
• The SCREC will review your background as part of the licensing decision

Step 5: Submit Your South Carolina Real Estate License Application

Once you’ve passed the exam and completed the prelicensing course, you can submit your Salesperson License Application to the SCREC. Your application must include:

• Proof of education completion
• Exam score reports
• Background check results
• Payment of the application fee

Be sure to submit your application within one year of passing the exam.

Step 6: Work Under a Licensed Real Estate Broker

South Carolina requires all new real estate agents and salespersons to work under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker-in-charge. You’ll need to include your sponsoring broker’s information on your license application.

Once your license is approved and issued, you may legally begin practicing real estate under your broker’s guidance.

Continuing Education and License Renewal in South Carolina

To maintain an active status, South Carolina real estate salespersons must complete 10 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years and renew their license by June 30th. The requirements are the same for both first-time and subsequent renewals.

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Continuing Education Requirements

• Mandatory Core Course (4 Hours): A required course approved by the SCREC that covers legal updates, regulatory changes, and professional conduct. The course content changes each renewal cycle to reflect current issues in South Carolina real estate.
• Elective Courses (6 Hours): Choose from topics such as ethics, contracts, fair housing, or finance. These courses enable you to tailor your learning to your interests or area of practice.
• Carryover Policy: You may carry over up to 4 unused elective hours into the next renewal cycle. Core course hours cannot be carried forward. 

License Renewal Timelines and Process

Licenses expire every two years on June 30th of their assigned renewal year. To renew your license:

• Complete the 10-hour CE requirement before June 30th of your renewal year
• Ensure your CE provider reports completions to CE Broker, South Carolina’s official tracking system
• Log in to the South Carolina LLR Licensee Portal between April 1st and June 30th to submit your renewal and pay the license fee
• If you are in your third renewal cycle, you will be required to complete a fingerprint-based background check

Late renewals may incur monthly penalties, and licenses become inactive if not renewed on time.

South Carolina Real Estate License Reciprocity

If you’re already licensed as a real estate agent in another state, you may be eligible to obtain a South Carolina real estate license without repeating the full licensing process. The SCREC offers reciprocity to out-of-state licensees who meet certain qualifications.

South Carolina Reciprocity Requirements

To qualify for reciprocity, you must:

• Hold an active real estate license in another U.S. state
• Be in good standing with your current licensing jurisdiction
• Pass the South Carolina portion of the real estate licensing exam
• Submit a reciprocal license application to SCREC
• Provide a certificate of licensure from your home state, issued within the last 90 days

Unlike some states with blanket reciprocity agreements, South Carolina evaluates each application individually.