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South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson — Requirements & Free Practice

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Real Estate Associate

South Carolina’s real-estate salesperson license is named Associate. Active and inactive status are statuses of this same license. Broker and property-manager classifications are distinct professions.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Real Estate Commission · Application information

Initial licensure following a qualifying Commission approved apprenticeship
Active duty
The pinned Commission FAQ directs active-duty applicants to the paper application with military orders and expedited processing. Sections 40-1-610–620 exempt qualifying active-duty personnel from CE and license fees; all other licensure requirements apply.
Application documents
Submit the application and fee, identification, Social Security card, residency/education evidence, notarized lawful-presence verification, applicable nonresident consent to jurisdiction and service, legal name-change documents and explanations/supporting documents for affirmative personal-history responses. License verifications must come directly from issuing authorities.
Apprenticeship
Applies only if the Commission approves an eligible apprenticeship with similar scope under §40-1-77 and no exclusion in subsection (J) applies. This survey does not assert approval of any particular real-estate apprenticeship.
Background checks
Follow Commission instructions to complete the fingerprint and Social Security number checks; §40-57-115 requires SLED, FBI and Social Security number checks at applicant expense.
Education alternatives
Section 40-57-320(A)(1)(b) accepts a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate or master’s degree with a real-estate major from an accredited institution, or another Commission-approved course of study. The June 3, 2026 overview lists the law-degree and real-estate-degree exemptions.
Examination eligibility
Commission approval precedes PSI scheduling. Examination eligibility lasts 12 months. Pass all required portions in that period, and apply for licensure within one year after passing both portions or reapply and retake all portions (§40-57-320(B)(3)–(4)).
General education
High-school graduation or recognized equivalency. The Commission requests equivalency evaluation when education is not approved by a U.S. state Department of Education.
Military training
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of evidenced military education, training and experience; it does not automatically waive eligibility or examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 (§40-57-310(2)).
Other requirements
Meet all other requirements imposed on ordinary applicants. Apprenticeship completion does not itself waive Chapter 57 education or examinations; the statute restricts higher scores, fees or apprenticeship duration.
Real estate education
Unless exempt, complete 60 hours of fundamentals and 30 advanced hours within five years before application. The advanced course may follow examination but must precede issuance. For examination reapplication, §40-57-320(B)(3) separately requires qualifying courses completed fewer than three years before applying.
Supervision
An active Associate must be affiliated with one South Carolina broker-in-charge. Submit supervision attestation and the initial fee before issuance. Without a supervising brokerage the license is inactive and practice is prohibited.
Change from another Commission classification to Associate
Active duty
The pinned Commission FAQ directs active-duty applicants to the paper application with military orders and expedited processing. Sections 40-1-610–620 exempt qualifying active-duty personnel from CE and license fees; all other licensure requirements apply.
Application documents
Submit the application and fee, identification, Social Security card, residency/education evidence, notarized lawful-presence verification, applicable nonresident consent to jurisdiction and service, legal name-change documents and explanations/supporting documents for affirmative personal-history responses. License verifications must come directly from issuing authorities.
Background checks
Follow Commission instructions to complete the fingerprint and Social Security number checks; §40-57-115 requires SLED, FBI and Social Security number checks at applicant expense.
Education alternatives
Section 40-57-320(A)(1)(b) accepts a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate or master’s degree with a real-estate major from an accredited institution, or another Commission-approved course of study. The June 3, 2026 overview lists the law-degree and real-estate-degree exemptions.
Examination eligibility
Commission approval precedes PSI scheduling. Examination eligibility lasts 12 months. Pass all required portions in that period, and apply for licensure within one year after passing both portions or reapply and retake all portions (§40-57-320(B)(3)–(4)).
General education
High-school graduation or recognized equivalency. The Commission requests equivalency evaluation when education is not approved by a U.S. state Department of Education.
Military training
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of evidenced military education, training and experience; it does not automatically waive eligibility or examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 (§40-57-310(2)).
Pathway conditions
Apply as a new applicant, meet Associate requirements and pay fees. Approval cancels the previous classification; concurrent classifications are prohibited.
Real estate education
Unless exempt, complete 60 hours of fundamentals and 30 advanced hours within five years before application. The advanced course may follow examination but must precede issuance. For examination reapplication, §40-57-320(B)(3) separately requires qualifying courses completed fewer than three years before applying.
Supervision
An active Associate must be affiliated with one South Carolina broker-in-charge. Submit supervision attestation and the initial fee before issuance. Without a supervising brokerage the license is inactive and practice is prohibited.
Return to a previously held Associate classification
Active duty
The pinned Commission FAQ directs active-duty applicants to the paper application with military orders and expedited processing. Sections 40-1-610–620 exempt qualifying active-duty personnel from CE and license fees; all other licensure requirements apply.
Application documents
Submit the application and fee, identification, Social Security card, residency/education evidence, notarized lawful-presence verification, applicable nonresident consent to jurisdiction and service, legal name-change documents and explanations/supporting documents for affirmative personal-history responses. License verifications must come directly from issuing authorities.
Background checks
Follow Commission instructions to complete the fingerprint and Social Security number checks; §40-57-115 requires SLED, FBI and Social Security number checks at applicant expense.
Education alternatives
Section 40-57-320(A)(1)(b) accepts a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate or master’s degree with a real-estate major from an accredited institution, or another Commission-approved course of study. The June 3, 2026 overview lists the law-degree and real-estate-degree exemptions.
Examination eligibility
Commission approval precedes PSI scheduling. Examination eligibility lasts 12 months. Pass all required portions in that period, and apply for licensure within one year after passing both portions or reapply and retake all portions (§40-57-320(B)(3)–(4)).
General education
High-school graduation or recognized equivalency. The Commission requests equivalency evaluation when education is not approved by a U.S. state Department of Education.
Military training
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of evidenced military education, training and experience; it does not automatically waive eligibility or examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 (§40-57-310(2)).
Pathway conditions
Reapply on the Commission form, pay fees and meet all current requirements. Prior possession of the classification does not itself remove currently offered examinations.
Real estate education
Unless exempt, complete 60 hours of fundamentals and 30 advanced hours within five years before application. The advanced course may follow examination but must precede issuance. For examination reapplication, §40-57-320(B)(3) separately requires qualifying courses completed fewer than three years before applying.
Supervision
An active Associate must be affiliated with one South Carolina broker-in-charge. Submit supervision attestation and the initial fee before issuance. Without a supervising brokerage the license is inactive and practice is prohibited.
Licensure based on active or recently expired licensure elsewhere
Real Estate Associate — State-Specific Portion (South Carolina Real Estate Laws and Real Estate Commission Rules)
Active duty
The pinned Commission FAQ directs active-duty applicants to the paper application with military orders and expedited processing. Sections 40-1-610–620 exempt qualifying active-duty personnel from CE and license fees; all other licensure requirements apply.
Application documents
Submit the application and fee, identification, Social Security card, residency/education evidence, notarized lawful-presence verification, applicable nonresident consent to jurisdiction and service, legal name-change documents and explanations/supporting documents for affirmative personal-history responses. License verifications must come directly from issuing authorities.
Background checks
Follow Commission instructions to complete the fingerprint and Social Security number checks; §40-57-115 requires SLED, FBI and Social Security number checks at applicant expense.
Education alternatives
Section 40-57-320(A)(1)(b) accepts a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate or master’s degree with a real-estate major from an accredited institution, or another Commission-approved course of study. The June 3, 2026 overview lists the law-degree and real-estate-degree exemptions.
Examination eligibility
Pass the required state portion within Commission eligibility and finish the application within the applicable one-year period; the national portion is exempt.
General education
High-school graduation or recognized equivalency. The Commission requests equivalency evaluation when education is not approved by a U.S. state Department of Education.
License elsewhere
Hold an active real-estate license elsewhere or one expired no more than six months before application. Section 40-57-320(B)(6) waives the national portion but does not waive education.
Military spouse processing
Qualifying military spouses with active licenses in good standing receive expedited processing upon military orders, marriage evidence and all license verifications. Expedition itself does not waive examination.
Military training
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of evidenced military education, training and experience; it does not automatically waive eligibility or examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 (§40-57-310(2)).
Real estate education
Unless exempt, complete 60 hours of fundamentals and 30 advanced hours within five years before application. The advanced course may follow examination but must precede issuance. For examination reapplication, §40-57-320(B)(3) separately requires qualifying courses completed fewer than three years before applying.
Supervision
An active Associate must be affiliated with one South Carolina broker-in-charge. Submit supervision attestation and the initial fee before issuance. Without a supervising brokerage the license is inactive and practice is prohibited.
Special statutory renewal of an expired license for a qualifying older experienced licensee
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the Commission and pay the statutory renewal fee.
Continuing education
Upon renewal the licensee is exempt as provided by law.
Eligibility
Expired license in good standing at expiration, at least 25 years of South Carolina licensure, and the exact statutory age wording “who is sixty-five years of age”. This wording is preserved without inferring an age range.
Specific statutory route
Retain this 2025 statutory route alongside general cancellation/reapplication. The general renewal page directs canceled licensees to reapply but does not discuss this special provision; establish statutory eligibility with the Commission.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination
Active duty
The pinned Commission FAQ directs active-duty applicants to the paper application with military orders and expedited processing. Sections 40-1-610–620 exempt qualifying active-duty personnel from CE and license fees; all other licensure requirements apply.
Application documents
Submit the application and fee, identification, Social Security card, residency/education evidence, notarized lawful-presence verification, applicable nonresident consent to jurisdiction and service, legal name-change documents and explanations/supporting documents for affirmative personal-history responses. License verifications must come directly from issuing authorities.
Background checks
Follow Commission instructions to complete the fingerprint and Social Security number checks; §40-57-115 requires SLED, FBI and Social Security number checks at applicant expense.
Education alternatives
Section 40-57-320(A)(1)(b) accepts a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate or master’s degree with a real-estate major from an accredited institution, or another Commission-approved course of study. The June 3, 2026 overview lists the law-degree and real-estate-degree exemptions.
Examination eligibility
Commission approval precedes PSI scheduling. Examination eligibility lasts 12 months. Pass all required portions in that period, and apply for licensure within one year after passing both portions or reapply and retake all portions (§40-57-320(B)(3)–(4)).
General education
High-school graduation or recognized equivalency. The Commission requests equivalency evaluation when education is not approved by a U.S. state Department of Education.
Military training
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of evidenced military education, training and experience; it does not automatically waive eligibility or examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 (§40-57-310(2)).
Real estate education
Unless exempt, complete 60 hours of fundamentals and 30 advanced hours within five years before application. The advanced course may follow examination but must precede issuance. For examination reapplication, §40-57-320(B)(3) separately requires qualifying courses completed fewer than three years before applying.
Supervision
An active Associate must be affiliated with one South Carolina broker-in-charge. Submit supervision attestation and the initial fee before issuance. Without a supervising brokerage the license is inactive and practice is prohibited.
Reactivation of an inactive Associate license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed form, fee, CE evidence, §40-57-115 background checks and proper supervision before active practice.
Classification
Reactivate the same Associate classification that was inactive.
Continuing education
Regulation 105-3(B) requires ten hours for each biennial renewal cycle during inactive licensure, subject to applicable statutory exemptions; inactivity alone does not exempt the reactivation education.
Implementation background check
The current self-service page requests background checks if none were completed in 2021 or later; the controlling statutory/regulatory requirements remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New application following cancellation of a prior Associate license
Active duty
The pinned Commission FAQ directs active-duty applicants to the paper application with military orders and expedited processing. Sections 40-1-610–620 exempt qualifying active-duty personnel from CE and license fees; all other licensure requirements apply.
Application documents
Submit the application and fee, identification, Social Security card, residency/education evidence, notarized lawful-presence verification, applicable nonresident consent to jurisdiction and service, legal name-change documents and explanations/supporting documents for affirmative personal-history responses. License verifications must come directly from issuing authorities.
Background checks
Follow Commission instructions to complete the fingerprint and Social Security number checks; §40-57-115 requires SLED, FBI and Social Security number checks at applicant expense.
Education alternatives
Section 40-57-320(A)(1)(b) accepts a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate or master’s degree with a real-estate major from an accredited institution, or another Commission-approved course of study. The June 3, 2026 overview lists the law-degree and real-estate-degree exemptions.
Examination eligibility
Commission approval precedes PSI scheduling. Examination eligibility lasts 12 months. Pass all required portions in that period, and apply for licensure within one year after passing both portions or reapply and retake all portions (§40-57-320(B)(3)–(4)).
General education
High-school graduation or recognized equivalency. The Commission requests equivalency evaluation when education is not approved by a U.S. state Department of Education.
Military training
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of evidenced military education, training and experience; it does not automatically waive eligibility or examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 (§40-57-310(2)).
Pathway conditions
A canceled license cannot undergo ordinary renewal/reinstatement. Submit a new paper application and meet current requirements, subject to the distinct §40-57-345 special renewal route. Qualifying current licensure elsewhere or reciprocity can excuse an otherwise involved examination.
Real estate education
Unless exempt, complete 60 hours of fundamentals and 30 advanced hours within five years before application. The advanced course may follow examination but must precede issuance. For examination reapplication, §40-57-320(B)(3) separately requires qualifying courses completed fewer than three years before applying.
Supervision
An active Associate must be affiliated with one South Carolina broker-in-charge. Submit supervision attestation and the initial fee before issuance. Without a supervising brokerage the license is inactive and practice is prohibited.
Reapplication after a previous Commission licensure denial
Active duty
The pinned Commission FAQ directs active-duty applicants to the paper application with military orders and expedited processing. Sections 40-1-610–620 exempt qualifying active-duty personnel from CE and license fees; all other licensure requirements apply.
Application documents
Submit the application and fee, identification, Social Security card, residency/education evidence, notarized lawful-presence verification, applicable nonresident consent to jurisdiction and service, legal name-change documents and explanations/supporting documents for affirmative personal-history responses. License verifications must come directly from issuing authorities.
Background checks
Follow Commission instructions to complete the fingerprint and Social Security number checks; §40-57-115 requires SLED, FBI and Social Security number checks at applicant expense.
Education alternatives
Section 40-57-320(A)(1)(b) accepts a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate or master’s degree with a real-estate major from an accredited institution, or another Commission-approved course of study. The June 3, 2026 overview lists the law-degree and real-estate-degree exemptions.
Examination eligibility
Commission approval precedes PSI scheduling. Examination eligibility lasts 12 months. Pass all required portions in that period, and apply for licensure within one year after passing both portions or reapply and retake all portions (§40-57-320(B)(3)–(4)).
General education
High-school graduation or recognized equivalency. The Commission requests equivalency evaluation when education is not approved by a U.S. state Department of Education.
Military training
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of evidenced military education, training and experience; it does not automatically waive eligibility or examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 (§40-57-310(2)).
Pathway conditions
Wait 24 months after denial unless successful on appeal under the Administrative Procedures Act; meet current licensure requirements and applicable endorsement/reciprocal exceptions.
Real estate education
Unless exempt, complete 60 hours of fundamentals and 30 advanced hours within five years before application. The advanced course may follow examination but must precede issuance. For examination reapplication, §40-57-320(B)(3) separately requires qualifying courses completed fewer than three years before applying.
Supervision
An active Associate must be affiliated with one South Carolina broker-in-charge. Submit supervision attestation and the initial fee before issuance. Without a supervising brokerage the license is inactive and practice is prohibited.
Licensure after a nonpermanent revocation
Active duty
The pinned Commission FAQ directs active-duty applicants to the paper application with military orders and expedited processing. Sections 40-1-610–620 exempt qualifying active-duty personnel from CE and license fees; all other licensure requirements apply.
Application documents
Submit the application and fee, identification, Social Security card, residency/education evidence, notarized lawful-presence verification, applicable nonresident consent to jurisdiction and service, legal name-change documents and explanations/supporting documents for affirmative personal-history responses. License verifications must come directly from issuing authorities.
Background checks
Follow Commission instructions to complete the fingerprint and Social Security number checks; §40-57-115 requires SLED, FBI and Social Security number checks at applicant expense.
Education alternatives
Section 40-57-320(A)(1)(b) accepts a juris doctor, bachelor of law, baccalaureate or master’s degree with a real-estate major from an accredited institution, or another Commission-approved course of study. The June 3, 2026 overview lists the law-degree and real-estate-degree exemptions.
Examination eligibility
Commission approval precedes PSI scheduling. Examination eligibility lasts 12 months. Pass all required portions in that period, and apply for licensure within one year after passing both portions or reapply and retake all portions (§40-57-320(B)(3)–(4)).
General education
High-school graduation or recognized equivalency. The Commission requests equivalency evaluation when education is not approved by a U.S. state Department of Education.
Military training
Section 40-1-640 requires favorable consideration of evidenced military education, training and experience; it does not automatically waive eligibility or examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 (§40-57-310(2)).
Pathway conditions
Revocation must not be permanent. Wait three years and appear before the Commission for competency/fitness evaluation; meet applicable education, examination and experience requirements for never-licensed applicants. The appearance is an applicant condition, not an independently identified examination.
Real estate education
Unless exempt, complete 60 hours of fundamentals and 30 advanced hours within five years before application. The advanced course may follow examination but must precede issuance. For examination reapplication, §40-57-320(B)(3) separately requires qualifying courses completed fewer than three years before applying.
Supervision
An active Associate must be affiliated with one South Carolina broker-in-charge. Submit supervision attestation and the initial fee before issuance. Without a supervising brokerage the license is inactive and practice is prohibited.
Reciprocal licensure from a qualifying Georgia license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the South Carolina Associate application, fees, identification, lawful-presence and background-check documents and nonresident consent to service where required.
Continued status
Maintain the originating active license; a later change to South Carolina residency may be recorded without further education, experience or examination under Agreement §II.
Qualifying license
Hold an active license in good standing earned by passing the originating jurisdiction’s licensing examination; that jurisdiction’s own examination is a condition, not a South Carolina leaf.
Reciprocal waivers
The agreement waives additional real-estate education, experience and examinations for qualifying applicants.
Supervision
Active South Carolina Associate practice requires South Carolina broker-in-charge supervision.
Verification
Provide license type/dates, examination-based issuance and disciplinary history under seal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reciprocal Associate licensure from a North Carolina broker
Real Estate Associate — State-Specific Portion (South Carolina Real Estate Laws and Real Estate Commission Rules)
Agreement eligibility
The Commission-signed October 24, 2024 licensing agreement §I(b), read as scanned pages 1–2, describes the Associate pathway for fewer than five years of active broker practice, excluding provisional licensure. The Commission overview does not repeat that experience qualifier; establish eligibility under the agreement.
Agreement evidence file
tmp/examkit/family-recheck-evidence/real-estate-salesperson/2026-09-22-263e69208b0a/US-SC/sc-reciprocity-agreement-b.pdf
Application
Submit the South Carolina application, fees, Commission background checks, lawful-presence/identity evidence and official licensing verification with dates and disciplinary history.
Education
The Commission overview lists this applicant as exempt from South Carolina Associate pre-licensing education.
Examination
Pass the South Carolina Associate state portion; the national portion is exempt.
License elsewhere
An active North Carolina broker license in good standing.
Supervision
Active practice requires a South Carolina broker-in-charge and supervision attestation.
Reciprocal Associate licensure from a provisional North Carolina broker
Real Estate Associate — State-Specific Portion (South Carolina Real Estate Laws and Real Estate Commission Rules)
Agreement eligibility
The Commission-signed October 24, 2024 licensing agreement §I(a), read as its scanned page 1, assigns this applicant to the South Carolina Associate pathway.
Agreement evidence file
tmp/examkit/family-recheck-evidence/real-estate-salesperson/2026-09-22-263e69208b0a/US-SC/sc-reciprocity-agreement-b.pdf
Application
Submit the South Carolina application, fees, Commission background checks, lawful-presence/identity evidence and official licensing verification with dates and disciplinary history.
Education
Proof of 90 hours of North Carolina post-licensing education or 90 hours of South Carolina pre-licensing education.
Examination
Pass the South Carolina Associate state portion; the national portion is exempt.
License elsewhere
An active North Carolina provisional broker license in good standing.
Supervision
Active practice requires a South Carolina broker-in-charge and supervision attestation.
Reinstatement within 24 months after license expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed reinstatement form, renewal fee and $15 per month reinstatement fee, applicable personal-history/lawful-presence updates, supervision information and required background checks.
Continuing education
Regulation 105-4(B) requires ten hours for reinstatement, not also creditable toward the current cycle. The form requests CE unless an exemption or exception applies, including qualifying military or approved waivers.
Eligibility
Lapsed but not canceled; apply within 24 months after expiration. Practice is prohibited while lapsed.
Status
The form allows active or inactive status. Without required supervision the license is inactive. Neither status adds a named licensing examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Commission reinstatement after voluntary surrender
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
Section 40-57-720(D) applies §40-1-150 to real-estate licensees.
Commission vote
Resume practice only after a Commission majority vote reinstates the authorization.
Individual order conditions
Satisfy conditions imposed by the Commission’s order. Section 40-1-150 names no currently offered examination; unidentified conditions remain applicant conditions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal on active status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background checks
The statute requires background checks every third renewal. The 2026 implementation says this renewal cycle does not require checks; the statutory recurrence remains.
Continuing education
Complete ten approved hours including at least four mandatory-topic hours, unless a statutory exemption or Commission-approved waiver applies; these include specified post-licensing/broker coursework, age/experience waivers and approved resident-jurisdiction equivalence.
Military exemption
Qualifying active-duty personnel submit orders for CE and fee exemptions under §§40-1-610–620. These exemptions do not extend automatically to spouses.
Renewal
Renew the same license biennially by expiration; submit the prescribed application, fee and updated personal/lawful-presence information.
Supervision
Maintain the required South Carolina broker-in-charge.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Section 40-57-340(B)(1)(b) exempts inactive licensees from biennial renewal CE; reactivation has separate requirements.
Inactive status
No brokerage practice or referrals while inactive.
Renewal
Renew the same credential with application, fees, required background checks and updated personal documents in the manner required for active renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration after suspension for a dishonored fee payment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Restoration
Payment of the fee and statutory/regulatory penalties reinstates authorization under §40-1-50(G).
Suspension
Practice authorization is suspended after dishonored fee payment, effective ten days after certified notice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Professional License — Real Estate Associate

Temporary Associate license for a qualifying military spouse under §40-1-630; expires one year after issue and cannot be renewed.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Real Estate Commission · Application information

Temporary Associate professional license for a qualifying military spouse
Real Estate Associate — State-Specific Portion (South Carolina Real Estate Laws and Real Estate Commission Rules)
Application
Submit the prescribed application, military orders, marriage evidence, license verifications and ordinary licensing documents; complete SLED/FBI fingerprints under §40-1-630 and applicable §40-57-115 checks.
Duration
Expires one year after issue and cannot be renewed; this is license duration, not examination-version validity.
License elsewhere
Valid real-estate license in another U.S. state/district/territory/possession or foreign jurisdiction, in good standing and supported by official certification.
Military spouse
Spouse of an active-duty service member assigned to a South Carolina duty station under official orders.
Ordinary requirements
Section 40-1-630(A) preserves all state-law requirements. The active license elsewhere invokes §40-57-320(B)(6): national portion exempt, state portion involved. An applicable reciprocal waiver remains an applicant condition.
Supervision
Usual South Carolina broker-in-charge supervision is required for active Associate practice.

Time Share Salesperson Registration

Commission registration for third-party timeshare salespersons under §27-32-180, with seller-employee and associated-licensee exemptions described in the application.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Real Estate Commission · Application information

Annual renewal of Timeshare Salesperson Registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continued scope
Continue under seller supervision and keep affiliation/contact information current. Section 27-32-180(A) requires registration before covered sales following cancellation.
Examination
The personal-registration renewal mechanism in §27-32-180(E) requires an application and fee, with no licensing examination.
Renewal
Submit the prescribed renewal application and $50 fee on or before June 30 annually. Untimely renewal cancels registration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial Timeshare Salesperson Registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit Document 270, $100 initial fee, notarized lawful-presence verification, identification, Social Security card and any name-change evidence, with required contact/company information.
Examination
Section 27-32-180(A)–(E) and the complete Document 270 application prescribe personal registration, fees, information and supervision without an applicant examination. The Commission’s plan-document review under §27-32-190 is not an examination taken by this salesperson.
Scope
Third-party seller representative subject to §27-32-180 registration. Regular seller employees are exempt under subsection (B); Document 270 also identifies the exemption for an associated Commission licensee supervised by a broker-in-charge whose brokerage is the seller’s agent.
Seller supervision
The registered seller supervises, manages and controls offering and sales under §27-32-180(D).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Real Estate Salesperson Examination — National Portion (Real Estate Principles and Practices)

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
National portion of a state real estate salesperson examination delivered by PSI; a minimum score must be achieved on each portion, and a candidate who fails one portion (state or national) retakes only that portion
Exam questions
80 scored questions (80 points), plus one to ten unscored experimental items
Examination outline
  • I. Property Ownership (Sales 10%, 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 (Sales 5%, 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 (Sales 8%, 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 (Sales 10%, Broker 9%) (10%)
    • 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 (Sales 19%, 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 (Sales 13%, 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 (Sales 7%, 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 (Sales 3%, Broker 5%) — items marked (BROKER ONLY) in this area are not part of the salesperson examination (3%)
    • 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 (items 4. Property manager responsibility for maintenance, improvements, reporting and risk management; 5. Handling landlord and tenant funds; trust accounts, reports and disbursements; and 6. Provisions of property management contracts are marked BROKER ONLY)
    • B. Landlord and tenant rights and obligations
  • IX. Transfer of Title (Sales 6%, 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 (Sales 12%, Broker 12%) — subsection D. Supervisory Responsibilities is marked (BROKER ONLY) and is not part of the salesperson examination (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
  • XI. Real Estate Calculations (Sales 7%, Broker 6%) (7%)
    • 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

Real Estate Associate — State-Specific Portion (South Carolina Real Estate Laws and Real Estate Commission Rules)

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Computer-administered written examination
Exam questions
40 scored state-portion questions
Time limit
80 minutes for the state portion
Passing score
28 correct answers on the state portion
Examination outline
  • I. South Carolina Real Estate Commission and Licensing Requirements (Associate-9 items, Broker-10 items)
    • 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 (Associate-11 items, Broker-16 items)
    • 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 (Associate-11 items, Broker-13 items)
    • 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 (Associate-6 items, Broker-7 items)
    • 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 (Associate-3 items, Broker-4 items)
Examination sources