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South Dakota Real Estate Salesperson — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Broker Associate

Entry-level general real estate license for new South Dakota residents; licensee works in association with a responsible broker.

Licensing authority: South Dakota Real Estate Commission · Application information

Activation of an inactive nonresident license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Certificate
Resident-jurisdiction certificate showing active status, good standing and no pending complaint.
Insurance
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
License status
Valid inactive nonresident license.
Supervision
Establish required broker or property manager supervision.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Activation of an inactive resident license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
ARSD 20:69:11:04 requires 24 hours in the current licensing period or the two preceding years, or applicable postlicensing hours during either initial cycle; activation hours cannot also count for renewal.
Insurance
Provide errors and omissions coverage.
License status
Valid inactive license.
Supervision
Establish required supervision.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure of an attorney admitted to practice in South Dakota
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Attorney status
South Dakota admitted attorney holding out or soliciting as being in the real estate business; SDCL 36-21A-29(7) permits a license without examination.
Other requirements
Remain subject to the other provisions of Chapter 36-21A.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination
South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate Examination — State Portion
Activation
Association with a licensed responsible broker and proof of errors and omissions insurance are required to conduct licensed business.
Application
Submit the sworn Commission application, required documents and application fee.
Application deadline
Apply within 60 days of notice of passing or passing-score rights are canceled.
Background check
Complete the fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background investigation required by SDCL 36-21A-151.
Character and competence
Reputable character and competence to safeguard the public; prior rejection and revocation restrictions and application-denial grounds in SDCL 36-21A-30 and 36-21A-33 apply, subject to controlling criminal-history limitations in SDCL 36-1C-17 through 36-1C-22.
Citizenship or residence
United States citizen or South Dakota resident, subject to statutory nonresident eligibility.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 36-21A-30.
National broker examination
Pass the currently offered PSI National Broker Examination, the National/General portion required for Broker Associate licensure. The frozen nationwide context contains national salesperson versions only; neither is this examination. It remains an applicant condition pending nationwide registration.
Postlicensing
Complete 60 approved postlicensing hours by the second active renewal deadline, including 30 hours in each of the first two active licensing periods.
Prelicensing education
Complete 116 approved hours before registering for the examination; provide proof of education completed within the two years preceding application.
State examination
Pass the Broker State portion with a score of at least 75.
Late renewal through June 30
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
File all materials and late fee no later than June 30; satisfy applicable resident/nonresident and active/inactive renewal requirements.
Practice
Do not practice before the Commission renews the license.
Prior license
A license eligible for late renewal after the November 30 deadline.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after military service lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Broader restoration
SDCL 36-1-1 also restores a qualifying veteran previously licensed in good standing and lawfully practicing, whose status was lost for any reason, without examinations within six months of separation; current-year charges may apply.
Deadline
Apply within six months after separation, with discharge or separation papers.
Discharge
Separation other than dishonorable discharge for the Chapter 36-21A route.
Education
Continuing education accruing during service may be waived.
Former license
Held a license before entering United States armed forces and registration lapsed during service.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited equivalent licensure for active duty military personnel and spouses
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fees
No licensing-body application or other fees under SDCL 36-1B-4.
Issuance
Complete application and documents; issuance within 30 days unless grounds for discipline are found.
Military status
Active-duty United States armed forces member or spouse, subject to military transfer to South Dakota.
Prior license
Same or similar valid license in good standing from another United States jurisdiction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of a military transfer equivalent license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing eligibility
Renew until transfer out of South Dakota, loss of originating-license good standing, failure to meet South Dakota licensing requirements, or termination of stationed member active-duty status.
Issued license
Issued under SDCL 36-1B-1.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Nonresident equivalent license reciprocity
South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate Examination — State Portion
Activation
Association with a licensed responsible broker and proof of errors and omissions insurance are required to conduct licensed business.
Application
Submit the sworn Commission application, required documents and application fee.
Application deadline
Submit the state-examination score report and application within 60 days of passing.
Background check
Complete the fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background investigation required by SDCL 36-21A-151.
Character and competence
Reputable character and competence to safeguard the public; prior rejection and revocation restrictions and application-denial grounds in SDCL 36-21A-30 and 36-21A-33 apply, subject to controlling criminal-history limitations in SDCL 36-1C-17 through 36-1C-22.
Citizenship or residence
United States citizen or South Dakota resident, subject to statutory nonresident eligibility.
Education
The PSI state licensing instructions state that a currently licensed applicant is not required to provide proof of education.
License history
Provide a certificate dated within 30 days showing active status, good standing and no pending complaint. The Board page also requests history from every jurisdiction of prior or present licensure.
Military spouse fee
The June 2026 nonresident application provides fee waivers while active for an active-duty military spouse submitting a military ID.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 36-21A-30.
Prior license
Hold an active comparable license elsewhere and have passed its licensing examination; that jurisdiction examination is applicant evidence, not a South Dakota leaf.
Reciprocal privileges
SDCL 36-21A-54 requires matching requirements when the originating jurisdiction does not grant full reciprocity; those foreign-jurisdiction requirements are applicant conditions.
Reapplication after the final late renewal deadline
South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate Examination — State Portion
Activation
Association with a licensed responsible broker and proof of errors and omissions insurance are required to conduct licensed business.
Application
Submit the sworn Commission application, required documents and application fee.
Application deadline
Apply within 60 days of notice of passing or passing-score rights are canceled.
Background check
Complete the fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background investigation required by SDCL 36-21A-151.
Character and competence
Reputable character and competence to safeguard the public; prior rejection and revocation restrictions and application-denial grounds in SDCL 36-21A-30 and 36-21A-33 apply, subject to controlling criminal-history limitations in SDCL 36-1C-17 through 36-1C-22.
Citizenship or residence
United States citizen or South Dakota resident, subject to statutory nonresident eligibility.
Expired license
Failed to complete renewal by June 30; reenter the applicable current initial licensing process.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 36-21A-30.
National broker examination
Pass the currently offered PSI National Broker Examination, the National/General portion required for Broker Associate licensure. The frozen nationwide context contains national salesperson versions only; neither is this examination. It remains an applicant condition pending nationwide registration.
Postlicensing
Complete 60 approved postlicensing hours by the second active renewal deadline, including 30 hours in each of the first two active licensing periods.
Prelicensing education
Complete 116 approved hours before registering for the examination; provide proof of education completed within the two years preceding application.
State examination
Pass the Broker State portion with a score of at least 75.
Equivalent licensure for an actively licensed applicant relocating to South Dakota
South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate Examination — State Portion
Activation
Association with a licensed responsible broker and proof of errors and omissions insurance are required to conduct licensed business.
Application
Submit the sworn Commission application, required documents and application fee.
Application deadline
Apply within 60 days after passing the state portion.
Background check
Complete the fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background investigation required by SDCL 36-21A-151.
Board instruction
The lower-ranked Commission License Types and Requirements page states: Persons moving to South Dakota who presently hold a real estate license in their resident jurisdiction: If you presently hold a real estate license in your state of residence and are moving to South Dakota, or if you have already moved to South Dakota and still hold a license in your previous state of residence, you may acquire the equivalent license in South Dakota by submitting a certificate of licensure showing good standing along with the application.
Character and competence
Reputable character and competence to safeguard the public; prior rejection and revocation restrictions and application-denial grounds in SDCL 36-21A-30 and 36-21A-33 apply, subject to controlling criminal-history limitations in SDCL 36-1C-17 through 36-1C-22.
Citizenship or residence
United States citizen or South Dakota resident, subject to statutory nonresident eligibility.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 36-21A-30.
Prior license
Hold an active license from the previous resident jurisdiction, with a successful examination there, and submit a certificate showing good standing.
State examination
SDCL 36-21A-43 requires passing the South Dakota state portion.
Biennial renewal on active status (nonresident)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Register biennially, pay the renewal fee, and submit the renewal application by November 30 of expiration year.
Education
Meet resident-jurisdiction education requirements; ARSD 20:69:11:04.01 exempts nonresidents from South Dakota continuing education.
Existing license
Hold a current Broker Associate license.
Insurance
Provide errors and omissions coverage.
License certificate
Certificate dated within 30 days showing the resident-jurisdiction license is active, in good standing and without a pending complaint.
Status
Renew on active status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal on active status (resident)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Register biennially, pay the renewal fee, and submit the renewal application by November 30 of expiration year.
Education
24 approved hours, at least 12 in required subjects; Broker Associate first two active cycles require the applicable 30-hour postlicensing education.
Existing license
Hold a current Broker Associate license.
Insurance
Provide errors and omissions coverage.
Status
Renew on active status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal on inactive status (nonresident)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Register biennially, pay the renewal fee, and submit the renewal application by November 30 of expiration year.
Existing license
Hold a current Broker Associate license.
Practice
Do not conduct licensed business while inactive. Education and insurance are supplied for activation.
Status
Renew on inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal on inactive status (resident)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Register biennially, pay the renewal fee, and submit the renewal application by November 30 of expiration year.
Existing license
Hold a current Broker Associate license.
Practice
Do not conduct licensed business while inactive. Education and insurance are supplied for activation.
Status
Renew on inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

South Dakota resident licensed as salesperson by examination elsewhere
South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate Examination — State Portion
Activation
Association with a licensed responsible broker and proof of errors and omissions insurance are required to conduct licensed business.
Application
Submit the sworn Commission application, required documents and application fee.
Background check
Complete the fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background investigation required by SDCL 36-21A-151.
Character and competence
Reputable character and competence to safeguard the public; prior rejection and revocation restrictions and application-denial grounds in SDCL 36-21A-30 and 36-21A-33 apply, subject to controlling criminal-history limitations in SDCL 36-1C-17 through 36-1C-22.
Citizenship or residence
United States citizen or South Dakota resident, subject to statutory nonresident eligibility.
Education
Complete the 40-hour Broker Associate upgrade course.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 36-21A-30.
Prior license
South Dakota resident who obtained a salesperson license by examination in another jurisdiction.
State examination
Complete the South Dakota state portion under SDCL 36-21A-43.
Upgrade of an inactive resident salesperson for activation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Activation
Association with a licensed responsible broker and proof of errors and omissions insurance are required to conduct licensed business.
Application
Submit the sworn Commission application, required documents and application fee.
Background check
Complete the fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background investigation required by SDCL 36-21A-151.
Character and competence
Reputable character and competence to safeguard the public; prior rejection and revocation restrictions and application-denial grounds in SDCL 36-21A-30 and 36-21A-33 apply, subject to controlling criminal-history limitations in SDCL 36-1C-17 through 36-1C-22.
Citizenship or residence
United States citizen or South Dakota resident, subject to statutory nonresident eligibility.
Course assessments
Educational practicums and course examinations are conditions. The statutory upgrade does not require Broker State or National licensing examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 36-21A-30.
Upgrade conditions
Hold an inactive South Dakota resident salesperson license; complete the 40-hour prescribed education, application and fee before activation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Upgrade of an existing South Dakota nonresident salesperson after establishing residency
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Activation
Association with a licensed responsible broker and proof of errors and omissions insurance are required to conduct licensed business.
Application
Submit the sworn Commission application, required documents and application fee.
Background check
Complete the fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background investigation required by SDCL 36-21A-151.
Character and competence
Reputable character and competence to safeguard the public; prior rejection and revocation restrictions and application-denial grounds in SDCL 36-21A-30 and 36-21A-33 apply, subject to controlling criminal-history limitations in SDCL 36-1C-17 through 36-1C-22.
Citizenship or residence
United States citizen or South Dakota resident, subject to statutory nonresident eligibility.
Course assessments
Educational practicums and course examinations are conditions. The statutory upgrade does not require Broker State or National licensing examinations.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 36-21A-30.
Upgrade conditions
Hold an active South Dakota nonresident salesperson license, establish residency, and complete 40 hours of prescribed upgrade education, the application and fee before the current license expires.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Real Estate Salesperson

Salesperson license retained for existing licensees and equivalent nonresident licensees; inactive resident licensees activating must upgrade to Broker Associate.

Licensing authority: South Dakota Real Estate Commission · Application information

Activation of an inactive nonresident license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Certificate
Resident-jurisdiction certificate showing active status, good standing and no pending complaint.
Insurance
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
License status
Valid inactive nonresident license.
Supervision
Establish required broker or property manager supervision.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal through June 30
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
File all materials and late fee no later than June 30; satisfy applicable resident/nonresident and active/inactive renewal requirements.
Practice
Do not practice before the Commission renews the license.
Prior license
A license eligible for late renewal after the November 30 deadline.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after military service lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Broader restoration
SDCL 36-1-1 also restores a qualifying veteran previously licensed in good standing and lawfully practicing, whose status was lost for any reason, without examinations within six months of separation; current-year charges may apply.
Deadline
Apply within six months after separation, with discharge or separation papers.
Discharge
Separation other than dishonorable discharge for the Chapter 36-21A route.
Education
Continuing education accruing during service may be waived.
Former license
Held a license before entering United States armed forces and registration lapsed during service.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited equivalent licensure for active duty military personnel and spouses
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Fees
No licensing-body application or other fees under SDCL 36-1B-4.
Issuance
Complete application and documents; issuance within 30 days unless grounds for discipline are found.
Military status
Active-duty United States armed forces member or spouse, subject to military transfer to South Dakota.
Prior license
Same or similar valid license in good standing from another United States jurisdiction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of a military transfer equivalent license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing eligibility
Renew until transfer out of South Dakota, loss of originating-license good standing, failure to meet South Dakota licensing requirements, or termination of stationed member active-duty status.
Issued license
Issued under SDCL 36-1B-1.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Nonresident equivalent salesperson license by reciprocity
South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate Examination — State Portion
Activation
Association with a licensed responsible broker and proof of errors and omissions insurance are required to conduct licensed business.
Application
Submit the sworn Commission application, required documents and application fee.
Application deadline
Submit the state-examination score report and application within 60 days of passing.
Background check
Complete the fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background investigation required by SDCL 36-21A-151.
Character and competence
Reputable character and competence to safeguard the public; prior rejection and revocation restrictions and application-denial grounds in SDCL 36-21A-30 and 36-21A-33 apply, subject to controlling criminal-history limitations in SDCL 36-1C-17 through 36-1C-22.
Citizenship or residence
United States citizen or South Dakota resident, subject to statutory nonresident eligibility.
Education
The PSI state licensing instructions state that a currently licensed applicant is not required to provide proof of education.
License history
Provide a certificate dated within 30 days showing active status, good standing and no pending complaint. The Board page also requests history from every jurisdiction of prior or present licensure.
Military spouse fee
The June 2026 nonresident application provides fee waivers while active for an active-duty military spouse submitting a military ID.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old under SDCL 36-21A-30.
Prior license
Hold an active comparable license elsewhere and have passed its licensing examination; that jurisdiction examination is applicant evidence, not a South Dakota leaf.
Reciprocal privileges
SDCL 36-21A-54 requires matching requirements when the originating jurisdiction does not grant full reciprocity; those foreign-jurisdiction requirements are applicant conditions.
Supervision
The supervising broker must be South Dakota licensed. South Dakota residency triggers the Broker Associate upgrade requirements.
Biennial renewal on active status (nonresident)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Register biennially, pay the renewal fee, and submit the renewal application by November 30 of expiration year.
Education
Meet resident-jurisdiction education requirements; ARSD 20:69:11:04.01 exempts nonresidents from South Dakota continuing education.
Existing license
Hold a current Real Estate Salesperson license.
Insurance
Provide errors and omissions coverage.
License certificate
Certificate dated within 30 days showing the resident-jurisdiction license is active, in good standing and without a pending complaint.
Status
Renew on active status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal on active status (resident)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Register biennially, pay the renewal fee, and submit the renewal application by November 30 of expiration year.
Education
24 approved hours, at least 12 in required subjects; Broker Associate first two active cycles require the applicable 30-hour postlicensing education.
Existing license
Hold a current Real Estate Salesperson license.
Insurance
Provide errors and omissions coverage.
Status
Renew on active status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal on inactive status (nonresident)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Register biennially, pay the renewal fee, and submit the renewal application by November 30 of expiration year.
Existing license
Hold a current Real Estate Salesperson license.
Practice
Do not conduct licensed business while inactive. Education and insurance are supplied for activation.
Status
Renew on inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal on inactive status (resident)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Register biennially, pay the renewal fee, and submit the renewal application by November 30 of expiration year.
Existing license
Hold a current Real Estate Salesperson license.
Practice
Do not conduct licensed business while inactive. Education and insurance are supplied for activation.
Status
Renew on inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate Examination — State Portion

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Computer-administered written examination
Exam questions
52 scored items (52 points); additional unscored experimental questions may appear
Time limit
120 minutes
Passing score
75%
Examination outline
  • Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission (4 Items)
  • Licensing Requirements (6 Items)
  • Statutory Requirements Governing the Activities of Licensees (42 Items)
Examination sources