How long does it take to get a South Carolina real estate license?

Typically 2 to 4 months. The 60-hour Unit I course takes 3–6 weeks, and you can sit for the exam right after it — then knock out the 30-hour Unit II while you wait on paperwork. Budget extra time at the end: the Commission says it can take three or more weeks just to receive your SLED/FBI fingerprint results before it can issue the license.

How much does a South Carolina real estate license cost?

About $500–$950 all-in: $300–$700 for the 90 hours of coursework, $25 for the exam application to the Commission, $63 for the PSI exam, $45–$55 for IdentoGO fingerprinting and the SLED/FBI background check, and $50 for the license itself.

What score do I need to pass the South Carolina real estate exam?

70% on each portion, scored separately. The exam is 120 questions — 80 national questions with 120 minutes, then 40 South Carolina questions with 80 minutes. Fail one portion and you only retake that portion, but each attempt costs another $63.

Do I need a Broker-in-Charge before I get my South Carolina license?

Not to get the license — South Carolina will issue it on inactive status without a sponsor. But to actually practice (and get paid), you must be affiliated with a South Carolina Broker-in-Charge, and you can only be supervised by one BIC at a time. Just don't dawdle: you must apply for the license within one year of passing the exam.

Can I get a South Carolina real estate license with a criminal record?

It depends on the record. Every applicant is fingerprinted for SLED and FBI checks, and the Commission reviews convictions individually. Expunged convictions generally don't need to be reported, while pardoned convictions must still be disclosed. Honesty on the application matters more than the record itself.

What are Unit I and Unit II, and can I really take the exam before finishing both?

Yes — that's a quirk that sets South Carolina apart. Unit I (60 hours, Fundamentals) is your exam ticket; once you pass it, you can register and sit for the PSI exam. Unit II (30 hours, Advanced Real Estate Principles) can be completed any time up until the Commission issues your license. Many students take the exam while Unit I material is fresh, then finish Unit II during the 3+ weeks the background check takes anyway.

South Carolina · SC

How to get your South Carolina real estate license

Everything you need to earn a South Carolina salesperson license — from eligibility to your first sponsoring broker.

Requirements last verified July 8, 2026 by Matt Cochrell, licensed broker.

Quick answer · Verified July 8, 2026

How to get a South Carolina real estate license

Hours required: 90 hrs
Total cost: $500 – $950
Typical timeline: 6–16 weeks
Minimum age: 18+

Step 1

Confirm you're eligible for a South Carolina real estate license

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED to apply for a South Carolina real estate license. A criminal background check is required — most non-violent offenses are reviewed case-by-case.

Step 2

Complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education

Note: South Carolina's 90 hours split into two courses: the 60-hour Unit I Fundamentals of Real Estate and the 30-hour Unit II Advanced Real Estate Principles. Only Unit I is required to sit for the exam — Unit II can be finished after you pass, but must be completed before the Commission will issue your license. This replaced the old post-licensing model, so SC has no separate post-license course.

Complete the 60-hour Unit I (Fundamentals of Real Estate) course from a SCREC-approved provider and pass the course final with at least 70%
Submit the exam application to the SC Real Estate Commission with the $25 fee and your Unit I certificate, then schedule with PSI once approved
Pass both portions of the PSI exam ($63 per attempt)
Complete the 30-hour Unit II (Advanced Real Estate Principles) course — before or after the exam, but before licensure

Step 3

Pass the South Carolina real estate exam

South Carolina uses PSI to administer the licensing exam. You'll need a passing score of 70% on each portion (national and state), scored separately. The exam fee is $63. Expect roughly 100 national questions and 40–50 state-specific questions. Format: 120 questions total — 80 national (120 min) + 40 South Carolina state (80 min), computer-based at PSI test centers.

Step 4

Apply for your South Carolina license

After passing the exam, submit the license application with the $50 fee within one year of your exam pass date, including your Unit II certificate
Complete the state and national fingerprint-based criminal background check (SLED + FBI) through IdentoGO — but wait for the Commission to send your fingerprint instructions first; prints done before instructions arrive may not be accepted (roughly $45–$55, and allow 3+ weeks for results)
Provide sponsorship from a South Carolina Broker-in-Charge (BIC) to be issued on active status — or request the license on inactive status if you don't have a BIC yet
The Commission issues the license once education, exam, background check, and (if active) BIC affiliation are all verified

Step 5

Find a sponsoring broker

Your South Carolina license stays inactive until a licensed broker sponsors you. Interview at least 2–3 brokerages, compare commission splits, training, and lead sources, and pick the one that fits your career goals — not just the highest split.

South Carolina real estate license cost breakdown

Here's a realistic estimate of everything you'll pay to earn your license. Course price is the largest variable — state fees are fixed.

Cost breakdown
Item	Amount
90-hour pre-licensing education (Unit I + Unit II)	$300 – $700
Exam application fee (to SCREC)	$25
PSI exam fee	$63 per attempt
License application fee	$50
Fingerprinting / SLED + FBI background check	$45 – $55
Estimated total	$500 – $950

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Frequently asked questions

Renewal & continuing education

South Carolina: Every 2 years, expiring June 30 of even-numbered years (renewals open April 1). 10 hours of CE per cycle: a 4-hour mandatory core course plus 6 elective hours. Inactive licensees renew but are CE-exempt. A new fingerprint background check is required at every third renewal..

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Moving your license?

See how South Carolina handles out-of-state licenses — full reciprocity, partial agreements, recognition, or start-over — and how every other state stacks up.

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