How to get your South Dakota real estate license

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

Note: Here's the twist: South Dakota doesn't issue a 'salesperson' license to new applicants — everyone starts as a Broker Associate, and that requires a 116-hour Commission-approved pre-licensing course (confirmed on the SD Real Estate Commission's License Types page). That's one of the longest entry-level education requirements in the country. The salesperson license exists only for reciprocal applicants moving in from other states.

• Confirm you're eligible: at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or South Dakota resident (SDCL ch. 36-21A).
• Enroll in a Commission-approved 116-hour Broker Associate pre-licensing course — classroom, independent study, or approved distance education all count (approved provider list is on dlr.sd.gov/realestate).
• Work through SD license law, agency, contracts, property management, finance, and federal real estate law — the course tracks directly to the exam outline.
• Get your certificate of completion — you'll submit it with your license application, so keep the original handy.

South Dakota uses PSI to administer the licensing exam. You'll need a passing score of 75% on each section (SDREC requires an exam score of 75%). The exam fee is $98. Expect roughly 100 national questions and 40–50 state-specific questions. Format: Computer-based at PSI test centers (schedule at test-takers.psiexams.com/sdre); two multiple-choice sections — 90 national questions and 52 South Dakota state-law questions. Note: the state's fee schedule page still lists $294 for '3 portions,' but the current PSI candidate bulletin shows two sections at $98 per sitting — the simulation section was retired..

• Pass both sections of the PSI Broker Associate exam ($98 per sitting; the fee is due again for retakes and registration is valid 12 months).
• Request DCI and FBI fingerprint cards from the SD Real Estate Commission, complete them (sign and date the back of each), and include a $43.25 check payable to DCI for the state/federal background check.
• Submit the Broker Associate license application with the $225 application fee, your original exam score reports, and your 116-hour course certificate of completion.
• Line up a responsible broker to associate with if you want an active license — active issuance also requires proof of errors & omissions (E&O) insurance.
• Wait for Commission approval; the Commission can deny applications for felony convictions, unpaid judgments, or misstatements under SDCL 36-21A-33.
• Once issued, plan for post-licensing: 60 hours total (two 30-hour blocks) across your first two active license periods before you shift to the standard 24-hour CE cycle.

Your South Dakota 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.