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South Carolina Real Estate Broker — Requirements & Free Practice

US-SC · License preparation

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broker-in-charge

Official license classification under Section 40-57-110.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Real Estate Commission · Application information

Active license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background checks
Required every third renewal; follow Commission cycle instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Continuing education
Ten approved hours biennially including four mandatory core hours; broker-in-charge also completes four advanced broker-in-charge hours. Statutory age/experience, nonresident, prior-course and military-duty waivers apply on their stated conditions.
Fees
Pay required fees; active-military-duty fee exemption applies under Section 40-1-620.
Interval
Renew biennially by expiration, whether or not notice was received.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Additional office designation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit Commission additional-office online application.
Existing license
South Carolina broker-in-charge.
Responsibility
Written acknowledgment of understanding and fully assuming duties and compliance responsibility for each office.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Designation from active sc broker
Antecedent examinations
Section 40-57-310 expressly includes broker-in-charge applicants and requires the applicable state and national examination portions. Previously accepted passing results on currently offered registered examinations remain leaves; the implementing designation page does not require repeating examinations already accepted. Statutory and reciprocal waivers are applicant conditions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Existing license
Hold an active South Carolina broker or broker-in-charge license before designation.
Emergency acting authorization
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
Department discretion, up to six months.
Existing license
Supervised licensee temporarily permitted to act as broker-in-charge; this is a permission under the existing statutory classification.
Trigger
Death or medical incapacitation prevents the current broker-in-charge from carrying out duties.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expired license age experience renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Continuing education
Exempt upon renewal under the statute.
Eligibility
Expired license was in good standing at expiration; at least 25 years South Carolina licensure and 65 years of age as specified in Section 40-57-345.
Fee
Apply and pay statutory renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Inactive license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal, fees and applicable recurring background checks.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Continuing education
Exempt while inactive under Section 40-57-340(B)(1)(b).
Status
Renew inactive license in the same manner as active licenses; no practice while inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial academic exemption
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Initial course experience
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Lapsed license reinstatement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reinstatement application, applicable continuing-education proof, renewal fees and monthly reinstatement fees.
Background checks
Comply with recurring renewal background-check cycle if applicable.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Window
Within 24 months after expiration and before cancellation; no practice until an active license issues.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensing agreement state examination
Agreement eligibility
South Carolina licensing agreement signed October 24, 2024, clause I(c): hold an active North Carolina broker or broker-in-charge license in good standing, with five or more years active broker practice excluding provisional practice. Submit official license/experience/disciplinary certification, broker application and fee, required background checks, complete South Carolina Unit IIIA and IIIB and pass the South Carolina broker state portion.
Agreement provenance
tmp/examkit/family-recheck-evidence/real-estate-broker/2026-09-22-807ba00b3041/US-SC/sc-reciprocity-agreement-2.pdf; South Carolina requirements in clause I(c)(iv)-(v) on scanned page 2 were visually verified from the fetched official document. Claim quotes use text-bearing South Carolina statute and implementing package.
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Other jurisdiction academic exemption
South Carolina Real Estate Broker State Portion
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Other jurisdiction eligibility
Hold an active real estate license in another state or jurisdiction, or one expired no more than six months at application. Section 40-57-320(B)(6) requires only the state licensing portion, without waiving South Carolina education requirements. Another jurisdiction's license and examinations are applicant conditions.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Other jurisdiction course experience
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Other jurisdiction eligibility
Hold an active real estate license in another state or jurisdiction, or one expired no more than six months at application. Section 40-57-320(B)(6) requires only the state licensing portion, without waiving South Carolina education requirements. Another jurisdiction's license and examinations are applicant conditions.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Reactivation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reactivation application, supervision information as applicable and fee through Document Submission.
Background check
The implementing form requires a new fingerprint and social-security-number check if none was completed in 2021 or later.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Classification
Reactivate the same classification formerly placed on inactive status.
Continuing education
Provide required education for the relevant inactive renewal periods, subject to exemptions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication after cancellation
Academic exemption
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Cancellation conditions
Reapply using paper application; ordinary cancellation cannot be reinstated. The separately stated Section 40-57-345 special expired-license route applies on its own eligibility terms.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Current eligibility
Meet current initial licensure requirements; statutory and reciprocal waivers depend on current qualifying evidence.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Reciprocal license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Continued eligibility
Maintain the qualifying originating license active, subject to the agreement's resident-conversion provision.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Reciprocity
Qualify under the South Carolina agreement signed May 29, 2025 with Georgia: equivalent active license in good standing originally obtained by examination, official sealed license-history certificate, application and fees, service-of-process consent, and agreement to comply with South Carolina law and cooperate with investigations. Additional real estate education, experience and examinations are waived; the other jurisdiction's examination is a condition.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after voluntary surrender
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board vote
Commission reinstatement by majority vote.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Individual conditions
Comply with the case-specific conditions imposed by the Commission under Section 40-1-150; the defining statute identifies no currently offered examination for this pathway.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure after revocation
Academic exemption
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Current eligibility
Meet current initial licensure requirements; statutory and reciprocal waivers depend on current qualifying evidence.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Revocation conditions
Unless revocation is permanent, wait three years, appear before the Commission for competency and fitness evaluation, and meet educational, examination and experience requirements applicable to never-licensed applicants.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Restoration after dishonored fee payment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Payment
Pay the required fee and statutory or regulatory penalties under Section 40-1-50(G).
Suspension reason
Required payment was dishonored.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Real Estate Broker

Official license classification under Section 40-57-110.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Real Estate Commission · Application information

Active license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background checks
Required every third renewal; follow Commission cycle instructions.
Continuing education
Ten approved hours biennially including four mandatory core hours; broker-in-charge also completes four advanced broker-in-charge hours. Statutory age/experience, nonresident, prior-course and military-duty waivers apply on their stated conditions.
Fees
Pay required fees; active-military-duty fee exemption applies under Section 40-1-620.
Interval
Renew biennially by expiration, whether or not notice was received.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Broker in charge stepdown
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit removal-and-transfer form, applicant attestation and receiving broker-in-charge supervision information and signature.
Old office
Replacement broker-in-charge required or old office closes and its supervised licensees become inactive.
Prior classification
Current broker-in-charge becomes supervised broker at another firm.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expired license age experience renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Exempt upon renewal under the statute.
Eligibility
Expired license was in good standing at expiration; at least 25 years South Carolina licensure and 65 years of age as specified in Section 40-57-345.
Fee
Apply and pay statutory renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Inactive license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal, fees and applicable recurring background checks.
Continuing education
Exempt while inactive under Section 40-57-340(B)(1)(b).
Status
Renew inactive license in the same manner as active licenses; no practice while inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial academic exemption
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Initial course experience
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Lapsed license reinstatement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reinstatement application, applicable continuing-education proof, renewal fees and monthly reinstatement fees.
Background checks
Comply with recurring renewal background-check cycle if applicable.
Window
Within 24 months after expiration and before cancellation; no practice until an active license issues.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensing agreement state examination
Agreement eligibility
South Carolina licensing agreement signed October 24, 2024, clause I(c): hold an active North Carolina broker or broker-in-charge license in good standing, with five or more years active broker practice excluding provisional practice. Submit official license/experience/disciplinary certification, broker application and fee, required background checks, complete South Carolina Unit IIIA and IIIB and pass the South Carolina broker state portion.
Agreement provenance
tmp/examkit/family-recheck-evidence/real-estate-broker/2026-09-22-807ba00b3041/US-SC/sc-reciprocity-agreement-2.pdf; South Carolina requirements in clause I(c)(iv)-(v) on scanned page 2 were visually verified from the fetched official document. Claim quotes use text-bearing South Carolina statute and implementing package.
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Other jurisdiction academic exemption
South Carolina Real Estate Broker State Portion
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Other jurisdiction eligibility
Hold an active real estate license in another state or jurisdiction, or one expired no more than six months at application. Section 40-57-320(B)(6) requires only the state licensing portion, without waiving South Carolina education requirements. Another jurisdiction's license and examinations are applicant conditions.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Other jurisdiction course experience
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Other jurisdiction eligibility
Hold an active real estate license in another state or jurisdiction, or one expired no more than six months at application. Section 40-57-320(B)(6) requires only the state licensing portion, without waiving South Carolina education requirements. Another jurisdiction's license and examinations are applicant conditions.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Reactivation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reactivation application, supervision information as applicable and fee through Document Submission.
Background check
The implementing form requires a new fingerprint and social-security-number check if none was completed in 2021 or later.
Classification
Reactivate the same classification formerly placed on inactive status.
Continuing education
Provide required education for the relevant inactive renewal periods, subject to exemptions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication after cancellation
Academic exemption
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Cancellation conditions
Reapply using paper application; ordinary cancellation cannot be reinstated. The separately stated Section 40-57-345 special expired-license route applies on its own eligibility terms.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Current eligibility
Meet current initial licensure requirements; statutory and reciprocal waivers depend on current qualifying evidence.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Reciprocal license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Continued eligibility
Maintain the qualifying originating license active, subject to the agreement's resident-conversion provision.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Reciprocity
Qualify under the South Carolina agreement signed May 29, 2025 with Georgia: equivalent active license in good standing originally obtained by examination, official sealed license-history certificate, application and fees, service-of-process consent, and agreement to comply with South Carolina law and cooperate with investigations. Additional real estate education, experience and examinations are waived; the other jurisdiction's examination is a condition.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after voluntary surrender
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board vote
Commission reinstatement by majority vote.
Individual conditions
Comply with the case-specific conditions imposed by the Commission under Section 40-1-150; the defining statute identifies no currently offered examination for this pathway.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure after revocation
Academic exemption
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Current eligibility
Meet current initial licensure requirements; statutory and reciprocal waivers depend on current qualifying evidence.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Revocation conditions
Unless revocation is permanent, wait three years, appear before the Commission for competency and fitness evaluation, and meet educational, examination and experience requirements applicable to never-licensed applicants.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Restoration after dishonored fee payment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Payment
Pay the required fee and statutory or regulatory penalties under Section 40-1-50(G).
Suspension reason
Required payment was dishonored.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Real Estate Broker-in-Charge License for a Military Spouse

Temporary military-spouse license under Section 40-1-630, valid for one year and nonrenewable.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Real Estate Commission · Application information

Military spouse academic exemption
South Carolina Real Estate Broker State Portion
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
Expedited application
Use LLR Military Spouse Expedited Licensure Request Form and furnish further required documentation; ordinary state standards still apply.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Military spouse
Married to an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces assigned to a South Carolina duty station by official orders; provide marriage and orders evidence.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Other jurisdiction eligibility
Hold an active real estate license in another state or jurisdiction, or one expired no more than six months at application. Section 40-57-320(B)(6) requires only the state licensing portion, without waiving South Carolina education requirements. Another jurisdiction's license and examinations are applicant conditions.
Qualifying license
Valid professional license in another jurisdiction in good standing, evidenced by official certification.
Term
One year from issuance, nonrenewable.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Military spouse course experience
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Broker in charge qualification
Own an interest in the company or actively manage and operate it. The Commission's Broker-in-Charge page says: "If you do not hold an active Broker or Broker-in-Charge license with South Carolina, you must first apply for a SC Broker license." Submit the designation form, establish compliant office and trust-account arrangements when applicable, and pay the applicable licensing fee.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
Expedited application
Use LLR Military Spouse Expedited Licensure Request Form and furnish further required documentation; ordinary state standards still apply.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Military spouse
Married to an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces assigned to a South Carolina duty station by official orders; provide marriage and orders evidence.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Other jurisdiction eligibility
Hold an active real estate license in another state or jurisdiction, or one expired no more than six months at application. Section 40-57-320(B)(6) requires only the state licensing portion, without waiving South Carolina education requirements. Another jurisdiction's license and examinations are applicant conditions.
Qualifying license
Valid professional license in another jurisdiction in good standing, evidenced by official certification.
Term
One year from issuance, nonrenewable.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.

Temporary Professional License for a Military Spouse

Temporary military-spouse license under Section 40-1-630, valid for one year and nonrenewable.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Real Estate Commission · Application information

Military spouse academic exemption
South Carolina Real Estate Broker State Portion
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Provide a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate degree or master's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university under Section 40-57-320(A)(2)(b); the academic path replaces the course/experience path, including course finals.
Expedited application
Use LLR Military Spouse Expedited Licensure Request Form and furnish further required documentation; ordinary state standards still apply.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Military spouse
Married to an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces assigned to a South Carolina duty station by official orders; provide marriage and orders evidence.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Other jurisdiction eligibility
Hold an active real estate license in another state or jurisdiction, or one expired no more than six months at application. Section 40-57-320(B)(6) requires only the state licensing portion, without waiving South Carolina education requirements. Another jurisdiction's license and examinations are applicant conditions.
Qualifying license
Valid professional license in another jurisdiction in good standing, evidenced by official certification.
Term
One year from issuance, nonrenewable.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.
Military spouse course experience
Application documents
Application and fee, identification, signed Social Security card copy, notarized lawful-presence verification, highest education evidence, applicable course certificates, applicable name-change documentation and explanations with supporting records for affirmative personal-history responses.
Background checks
State and FBI fingerprint-based criminal records checks and a social-security-number-based criminal records check at applicant expense; wait for Commission application instructions.
Contact information
Provide a physical address; maintain current residential and mailing address, email and telephone information.
Education and experience
Complete 30-hour Unit IIIA Broker Management and 30-hour Unit IIIB Brokerage Principles courses and have five years active associate licensure within the preceding seven years. Each separate unit has a proctored final examination requiring 70%; statutory academic and applicable reciprocal waivers apply on their stated terms.
Expedited application
Use LLR Military Spouse Expedited Licensure Request Form and furnish further required documentation; ordinary state standards still apply.
General education
High-school graduation or equivalency recognized by the State Department of Education; submit official proof. The June 3, 2026 package requires evaluation evidence for foreign education as applicable.
Issuance
Submit supervision attestation and initial licensing fee. Active brokers are supervised by a South Carolina broker-in-charge; no brokerage identified results in inactive status, without authority to practice.
License history
Each issuing jurisdiction sends licensure/license-history certification directly to the Commission.
Military credit
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of satisfactorily documented military education, training and experience; it does not automatically dispense with testing or other licensure standards.
Military spouse
Married to an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces assigned to a South Carolina duty station by official orders; provide marriage and orders evidence.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Nonresident consent
Nonresidents submit irrevocable consent to jurisdiction and service of process.
Other jurisdiction eligibility
Hold an active real estate license in another state or jurisdiction, or one expired no more than six months at application. Section 40-57-320(B)(6) requires only the state licensing portion, without waiving South Carolina education requirements. Another jurisdiction's license and examinations are applicant conditions.
Qualifying license
Valid professional license in another jurisdiction in good standing, evidenced by official certification.
Term
One year from issuance, nonrenewable.
Time windows
One year from receipt to complete the application; twelve-month examination eligibility under Section 40-57-320(B)(3); apply for a license within one year after passing under (B)(4), otherwise reapply and retest.

Unit IIIA Brokerage Management Prelicensing Course Final Examination

Provider
Commission-approved prelicensing course providers
Format
Proctored course final examination
Passing score
70%
Practice scope

The authority has not published an examination outline; the practice questions follow the scope of the existing question bank.

  • Short and Long Range Planning
    • Brokerage planning, operations, staffing, insurance, and safety
  • Employment Laws
    • Employment classification, nondiscrimination, wages, leave, and workplace compliance
  • Liability of Broker for Torts of Agents
    • Broker liability for supervised licensees' misrepresentation, negligence, and other torts
  • Trust Accounting
    • South Carolina trust-account custody, deposits, records, reconciliation, and disputes
  • Due Diligence in Completing Forms
    • Selection, completion, review, delivery, and retention of brokerage forms
  • Ethics
    • Legal and ethical duties in brokerage management
Examination sources

Pre-licensing Course Examination

Provider
Commission-approved prelicensing course providers
Format
Proctored course final examination
Passing score
70%
Practice scope

The authority has not published an examination outline; the practice questions follow the scope of the existing question bank.

  • Real Property
    • South Carolina real-property ownership, interests, descriptions, and conveyances
  • Governmental Controls and Laws Affecting Real Estate
    • South Carolina taxation, land-use, environmental, disclosure, and housing controls
  • Pricing of Real Properties
    • South Carolina valuation, assessment, and market-analysis rules
  • Real Estate Finance
    • South Carolina financing instruments, consumer protections, and attorney preference
  • Settlement/Closing
    • South Carolina attorney-supervised closing, disbursement, recordation, and transfer charges
  • Agency and Other Brokerage Relationships
    • South Carolina agency, designated agency, dual agency, and transaction brokerage
  • Contracts
    • South Carolina brokerage agreements, offers, management agreements, and required clauses
  • Ethics
    • South Carolina statutory standards of honesty, competence, confidentiality, and supervision
Examination sources

South Carolina Real Estate Broker State Portion

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Computer-based examination
Exam questions
50 scored questions; additional experimental questions are unscored
Time limit
80 minutes
Passing score
36 correct answers
Examination outline
  • I. South Carolina Real Estate Commission and Licensing Requirements
    • A. Real Estate Commission Purpose, Powers, and Duties
    • B. Activities Requiring a License and Exemptions from Licensure
    • C. License Types, Maintenance, Duration, Statuses, and Changes
  • II. Statutes Governing the Activities of Licensees and Non-Licensees
    • A. Advertising
    • B. Broker, Associate, and Non-Licensee Relationships
    • C. Commissions and Other Compensation
    • D. Disclosure of Licensee's Interest in Real Estate Transactions
    • E. Offers and Counteroffers
    • F. Handling of Documents and Record Keeping
    • G. Handling of Monies and Accounting Practices
    • H. License Law Violations, Investigations, and Penalties
  • III. South Carolina Agency and Non-agency Relationships and Issues
    • A. Permissible Relationships and Obligations to Parties
    • B. Disclosure Requirements and Issues
    • C. Creation and Termination of Agency
    • D. South Carolina Agency and Non-agency Contracts
  • IV. Additional South Carolina Statutes and Topics
    • A. Consumer Protection Code
    • B. Homestead Exemption
    • C. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
    • D. Vacation Rental Act (Associate and Broker) and Time Sharing Plan Act (Broker Only)
    • E. Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statements
    • F. SC Fair Housing Law
    • G. SC Smoke Detector Law
  • V. Closing Details
Examination sources

National Broker Exam — National Portion (Real Estate Principles and Practices)

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
National portion of state real estate broker licensing examinations with its own minimum passing score; scenario-based questions with more than four options and one best answer, each option weighted zero, one or two points; candidates who fail one portion retake only that portion
Examination outline
  • I. Property Ownership (Broker 10%) (10%)
    • A. Real and personal property; conveyances
    • B. Land characteristics and legal descriptions: 1. Metes and bounds method of legal property description; 2. Lot and block (recorded plat) method of legal property description; 3. Government survey (rectangular survey) method of legal property description; 4. Measuring structures (linear and square footage); 5. Land measurement
    • C. Encumbrances and effects on property ownership: 1. Types of liens and their effect on the title and value of real property; 2. Easements, rights of way and licenses, including their effect on the title, value and use of real property; 3. Encroachments and their effect on the title, value and use of real property; 4. Potential encumbrances on title, such as probate, leases, or adverse possession; 5. Property rights that may be conveyed separately from use of the land surface, such as mineral and other subsurface rights, air rights, or water rights
    • D. Types of ownership: 1. Ownership in severalty/sole ownership; 2. Implications of ownership as tenants in common; 3. Implications of ownership in joint tenancy; 4. Forms of common-interest ownership, such as Timeshares, Condominiums and Co-ops; 5. Property ownership held in a trust or by an estate; 6. Ownership by business entities; 7. Life Estate ownership
  • II. Land use Controls (Broker 5%) (5%)
    • A. Government rights in land: 1. Government rights to impose property taxes and special assessments; 2. Government rights to acquire land through eminent domain, condemnation and escheat
    • B. Government controls on land use
    • C. Private controls: 1. Deed conditions or restrictions on property use; 2. Subdivision covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) on property use; 3. Condominium and owners’ associations regulations or bylaws on property use
  • III. Valuation (Broker 8%) (8%)
    • A. Appraisals: 1. Appraisals for valuation of real property; 2. Situations which require appraisal by a licensed or certified appraiser and brokerage-related actions that constitute unauthorized appraisal practice; 3. General steps in appraisal process
    • B. Estimating Value: 1. Economic principles and property characteristics that affect value of real property; 2. Sales or market comparison approach to property valuation and appropriate uses; 3. Cost approach to property valuation and appropriate uses; 4. Income analysis approach to property valuation and appropriate uses
    • C. Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): 1. Competitive/Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), BPO or equivalent; 2. Automated Valuation Method (AVM), appraisal valuation and Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
  • IV. Financing (Broker 9%) (9%)
    • A. Basic Concepts and Terminology: 1. Loan financing (for example, points, LTV, PMI, interest, PITI); 2. General underwriting process (e.g., debt ratios, credit scoring and history); 3. Standard mortgage/deed of trust clauses and conditions; 4. Essential elements of a promissory note
    • B. Types of Loans: 1. Conventional loans; 2. Amortized loans, partially amortized (balloon) loans, interest-only loans; 3. Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loans; 4. Government Loans — a. FHA insured loans; b. VA guaranteed loans; c. USDA/Rural Development loan programs; 5. Owner financing (for example, installment or land contract/contract for deed); 6. Reverse-mortgage loans; 7. Home equity loans and lines of credit; 8. Construction loans; 9. Rehab loans; 10. Bridge loans
    • C. Financing and Lending: 1. Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), including kickbacks; 2. Truth-in-Lending Act (Regulation Z), including advertising; 3. Requirements and time frames of TRID (TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures); 4. Equal Credit Opportunity Act; 5. Lending Process (application through loan closing); 6. Risky loan features, such as prepayment penalties and balloon payments
  • V. Contracts (Broker 19%) (19%)
    • A. General Contract Law: 1. General principles of contract law; 2. Elements necessary for a contract to be valid; 3. Effect of the Statute of Frauds; 4. Offer and a contract; 5. Enforceability of contracts; 6. Void, voidable and unenforceable contracts; 7. Bilateral and unilateral contracts; 8. Nature and use of option agreements; 9. Notice, delivery, acceptance and execution of contracts; 10. Appropriate use, risks, and advantages of electronic signatures and paperless transactions; 11. Rights and obligations of the parties to a contract; 12. Possible remedies for breach or non-performance of contract; 13. Termination, rescission and cancellation of contracts
    • B. Purchase and Lease Contracts: 1. Addenda and amendments to contracts; 2. Purchase agreements; 3. Contract contingencies and methods for satisfying them; 4. Leases and rental agreements; 5. Lease-purchase agreements; 6. Types of leases
    • C. Proper handling of multiple offers and counteroffers
  • VI. Agency (Broker 13%) (13%)
    • A. Agency and non-agency relationships: 1. Agency relationships and how they are established; 2. Types of listing contracts; 3. Buyer brokerage/tenant representation contracts; 4. Other brokerage relationships, including transaction brokers and facilitators; 5. Powers of attorney and other assignments of authority; 6. Conditions for termination of agency or brokerage service agreements
    • B. Agent Duties: 1. Fiduciary duties of agents; 2. Agent's duties to customers/non-clients, including honesty and good faith
    • C. Agency Disclosures: 1. Disclosure of agency/representation; 2. Disclosure of possible conflict of interest or self-interest
  • VII. Property Disclosures (Broker 7%) (7%)
    • A. Property Condition: 1. Seller's property condition disclosure requirements; 2. Property conditions that may warrant inspections or a survey; 3. Red flags that warrant investigation of public or private land use controls
    • B. Environmental and Government Disclosures: 1. Environmental issues requiring disclosure; 2. Federal, state, or local disclosure requirements regarding the property
    • C. Disclosure of material facts and material defects
  • VIII. Property Management (Broker 5%) (5%)
    • A. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Procurement and qualification of prospective tenants; 2. Fair housing and ADA compliance specific to property management; 3. How to complete a market analysis to identify factors in setting rents or lease rates; 4. Property manager responsibility for maintenance, improvements, reporting and risk management (BROKER ONLY); 5. Handling landlord and tenant funds; trust accounts, reports and disbursements (BROKER ONLY); 6. Provisions of property management contracts (BROKER ONLY)
    • B. Landlord and tenant rights and obligations
  • IX. Transfer of Title (Broker 6%) (6%)
    • A. Types of deeds
    • B. Title Insurance and Searches: 1. Title insurance policies and title searches; 2. Potential title problems and resolutions; 3. Marketable and insurable title
    • C. Closing Process: 1. When transfer of ownership becomes effective; 2. Process and importance of recordation; 3. Settlement procedures (closing) and parties involved; 4. Home and new construction warranties
    • D. Special Processes: 1. Special issues in transferring foreclosed properties; 2. Special issues in short sale transactions; 3. Special issues in probate transactions
  • X. Practice of Real Estate (Broker 12%) (12%)
    • A. Antidiscrimination: 1. Federal Fair Housing Act general principles and exemptions; 2. Protected classes under Federal Fair Housing Act; 3. Protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation; 4. Prohibited conduct under Federal Fair Housing Act (Redlining, Blockbusting, Steering, Disparate Treatment); 5. Fair housing advertising rules; 6. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) obligations pertaining to accessibility and reasonable accommodations
    • B. Legislation and Regulations: 1. Licensees’ status as employees or independent contractors; 2. Antitrust laws and types of violations, fines and penalties; 3. Do-Not-Call List rule compliance; 4. Proper use of Social Media and Internet communication and advertising
    • C. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Protection of confidential personal information (written, verbal or electronic); 2. Duties when handling funds of others in transactions; 3. Licensee responsibility for due diligence in real estate transactions
    • D. Supervisory Responsibilities (BROKER ONLY): 1. Broker's supervisory responsibilities (licensees, teams and unlicensed assistants and employees) (BROKER ONLY); 2. Broker relationship with licensees (employees or independent contractors and governing rules) (BROKER ONLY)
  • XI. Real Estate Calculations (Broker 6%) (6%)
    • A. Calculations for Transactions: 1. Seller’s net proceeds; 2. Buyer funds needed at closing; 3. Real property tax and other prorations; 4. Real property transfer fees; 5. PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance) payments estimate given loan rate and term
    • B. General Concepts: 1. Equity; 2. Rate of return/Capitalization rate; 3. Loan-to-Value ratio; 4. Discount points and loan origination fees
Examination sources