How to Get a South Carolina Real Estate License
Jay Gallagher
Real Estate Broker (Advice from an agent like you, not some tech nerd who never sold a home!)
This is a Step by Step guide on how to get your South Carolina Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from Charlestown to Columbia or Greenville to my favorite town, Myrtle Beach, or anywhere in between, becoming a real estate agent may be the best decision you ever make.
All the information, documents and links you’ll need to get your South Carolina real estate salesperson license are below.
I also answer all your burning questions at the bottom of the page.
Click on a question to see the answers:
Learn The Requirements
Learn exactly what the State of South Carolina requires before you can get a Real Estate Salesperson License.
Complete Licensing Education
South Carolina requires only 90 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Apply To Take Exams
SCREC requires you to first apply to take the exams and then wait until they process your application, then they notify you.
Submit Fingerprints
After you apply to take the exam, the SCREC will let you know how to submit fingerprints for the background checks.
Get Background Checks
It takes some time to process your background check once you submit your fingerprints for review.
Pass the State Exams
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson License Exam the very first time.
Pick a Sponsoring Broker
You get to pick the broker you want to work with. Learn how to pick the best so you can get up and running in your new career.
Submit Final Application
One last step. Submit the final application you receive after you pass the exam and SCREC will issue you a license.
Launch Your New Career
Now the fun begins. Learn how to get your new Real Estate Career off on the right foot by doing the right things to get business.
So, How Do You Get Your South Carolina Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Requirements
To get your South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Have a High School Diploma or GED.
- Must be lawfully present and eligible to work in the United States.
- Must pass state and FBI background checks.
- Must submit to a Social Security Number based background check (credit report)
- Complete 90 hours of Pre-Licensing Education.
2. Complete Pre-Licensing Education
South Carolina has two courses that have a minimum of 90 hours of coursework that must be completed before you will be issued a Real Estate License:
You have to complete the Commission approved pre-licensing Course (60 hours – Unit I Sales) then you can apply to take the SC Real Estate Sales examination.
Before you apply for a license you’ll also need to complete an additional Unit II: Advanced Real Estate Principles course (30-hours). Passing Score sheets and proof of completion of the Unit II course must be submitted with your licensure application.
Most people just take both courses at the same time and then apply to take the SCREC Exams.
They have 4 levels of instruction.
I don’t recommend the basic level at all because it doesn’t included the most valuable part, the Real Estate License Practice Tests.
These practice tests actually guarantee you will pass the Real Estate Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the South Carolina Real Estate Exam on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
3. Apply to Take the Salesperson Exams
You can apply online at the SCREC website to take the exams.
Create an account by going to the SCREC website here.
Before starting your online application, you need to download and complete the forms below and then scan them to upload to the SCREC Website.
- Verification of Lawful Presence (All Applicants) Must be Notarized
- Criminal History Explanation Form (if needed)
- Non-Resident Consent to Jurisdiction Form (if you are a non resident) Must be Notarized.
Whether you apply online or use a paper application, to get your South Carolina real estate license, the following items need to be submitted:
- Completed Exam Application For Real Estate Form. (Must be Notarized).
- Copy of drivers license, state issued ID or Passport.
- Copy of social security card.
- Notarized Verification of Lawful Presence (attached to Application).
- Real Estate School Certificates, Certification of Licensure or Qualifying Transcript.
- Criminal History Explanation Form, if applicable (attached to Application).
- Check or Money Order made out to SCREC for $25.00.
Once you submit your application, you will receive instructions on taking the exams and submitting your fingerprints. South Carolina has two exams you must be pass before you can apply for your South Carolina Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson National Exam
- Real Estate Salesperson South Carolina State Exam
If you’re already licensed in another state, you only have to take the South Carolina State portion of the exam.
South Carolina Real Estate tests are proctored by a private company, PSI.
To get all the details on the SCREC Exams, you can download the SCREC Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin here.
4. Submit Fingerprints
The SCREC requires you to be fingerprinted for both a state and national background check. The state fingerprint-based criminal background check is conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the national fingerprint-based criminal records check is conducted by the FBI.
Instructions on how to get fingerprinted for these background checks will be given to you only after the Commission receives your complete application.
You can download the SCREC Fingerprinting and Background Check FAQ here.
5. Pass Three Background Checks
The SCREC requires the state and national background checks and what they call an additional Social Security Number-Based Background Check. Basically, they pull your credit report and call it a criminal records check.
The South Carolina Real Estate Commission uses a private company called SR&I to conduct this S.S. number criminal records check.
After you send your application to the Commission, you can go to the SR&I website to request the Social Security number-based criminal records check. SR&I will run the report and it will be sent to the Real Estate Commission.
It’s easier to complete the process online, but you can contact SR&I at 855-581-0937 if you need to arrange to complete a background check by alternative means.
A criminal record does not always prevent you from getting licensed. Certain convictions are grounds for denial of licensure and will require that you appear before the Commission for an Application Hearing. You have to complete all the pre-licensing requirements and submit an application for examination or licensure before a determination can be made as to whether your license can be approved by the Administrator, or if it will require an appearance before the Commission for a hearing.
6. Pass the State Exams
After you apply to SCREC to take the exams and submit your fingerprints, they will notify you when you are approved to take the exams. Once approved, you can go to the PSI website and schedule a time to go to one of their testing centers to take the exams. If you are out of state, you can ask to take the exam at any of the nationwide testing locations.
Your score will be given to you immediately following completion of the examination. Examination results are confidential and will be reported only to you and the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. An official result report will also be printed and given to you at the examination center.
If you pass the exams, PSI will also give you a copy of the SCREC Final Real Estate License Application. You will need this application to complete the last step.
The most frequently asked questions about getting your SC Real Estate License are about how hard the exams are and how to pass them on the first try. If you followed my recommendation and chose a Pre-Licensing Education package that included the online practice tests, you should have no problems passing the SCREC exams on your first try.
7. Pick a Sponsoring Broker
All Realtors in South Carolina must place their license under the license of a Supervising Broker who’s responsible for monitoring their activities. The good news is that you get to pick a broker to place your real estate salesperson license under.
If you want to be issued an active license right away and all in one step, you need to have a Supervising Broker fill out and sign your final license application. If you don’t have a Supervising Broker yet, you can always apply now and just indicate that you don’t have a supervising broker/office code on your license application where it asks for BIC/PMIC office information and signature. You’ll be licensed but placed in “inactive” status until you pick a Supervising Broker and then notify the SCREC and activate your license.
If you’re a new agent, I recommend you go with one of the big box real estate brokerages. ReMax, Keller Williams and Century 21 are a good place to start. The reason I recommend these brokerages for new agents is because the big box brokerages have training programs in place to help you make the transition from Rookie Agent to seasoned pro.
8. Submit Your Final Application
Almost done now. When you passed the exams, PSI should have given you the final paperwork needed to get your license:
- Final Application Form
- Passing Score Report
Fill out the application form and send it along with the exam report and pay the license fee of $50 and the SCREC will issue you your license.
Remember, if you don’t have a Supervising Broker sign this form then the SCREC will issue you an inactive license and then you must pick a Supervising Broker to get your license activated.
Licenses are only mailed to Brokers.
9. Launch Your New Real Estate Career!
Now the real work (and fun) begins. The best thing about being a Real Estate Agent is the freedom it gives you. You’re your own boss and you get to decide how to move your real estate career forward.
Books
Continuous learning is the hallmark of all successful agents. Here are some resources to get you going in the right direction.
Below are my best suggestions:
- Best Books to Learn Principles of Success.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agents.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agent Social Media Marketing
Tools
You’ll need some tools to get the job done. At the very least, you’ll need a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and a Real Estate Agent Website.
10. Jay Answers Your FAQ.
The best thing about being a real estate agent is the freedom. Many agents just work part-time and only do 1-3 transactions a year for some extra money. Other agents work 60+ hours a week and sell hundreds of homes a year.
The best answer to how much a South Carolina realtor makes is to show how much you’re likely to make per transaction. The average price of a home in South Carolina is $300,000. Say the average commission per side of the transaction is 5.5% and the average broker/agent split is 15/85.
That means you will earn, on average, about $6400 per transaction. Not bad.
Of course this number will vary based on the average cost of real estate in your area, your commission rate and your broker split but that’s a good number to start with. Now you can dial up your income based on how hard and how effectively you work.
South Carolina requires 90 hours of coursework. If you elect to take these courses in a classroom setting, you’ll have to go to a designated place and sit for the entire time.
For this reason, most people take the courses online so they can take the courses at their own pace and any time they wish.
Most people find they can complete the online coursework in a fraction of the 68 hours. A motivated person can complete it in as little as two weeks but most people will take a month or more if they do a little bit every day.
The South Carolina Real Estate Exam is not difficult IF you buy a test prep course.
The best test prep courses include practice tests that you can take over and over again until you know the material. If you can consistently take a practice test and score a 90 or higher, then you are practically guaranteed to pass the actual exam.
If you’re someone who gets nervous and their mind goes blank during testing, then maybe you should wait until your score on the practice tests is consistently 95 or better.
The best brokerage is the one that’s the best fit for you.
Call up a few local brokerages and schedule a time to sit down and talk to them. Discuss things like E&O insurance, commission splits, leads and don’t forget to find out about any desk fees, tech fees or insurance fees.
Remember, if you don’t like the brokerage, you can easily change brokers.
I don’t recommend that you use any brokers CRM or email address because those things are the heart of YOUR real estate business and if your clients information is locked into your broker’s CRM, then it will be harder to make the move. That’s why the tools are “free” or included in a tech fee, to make it difficult for you to leave.
Let’s break it all down.
- Fingerprint/Background check – $39.00
- Pre-licensing Educational courses – $450.00 – $745.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $0.00 – $99.00 – (Some Pre-Licensing Includes Exam Prep)
- PSI Exam costs – $63.00
- SCREC Exam Application Fee – $25.00
- SCREC Final Application Fee – $50.00
The cost of getting your South Carolina real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs. The cost for most agents will be as low as $625.00 to as high as $995.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $695.00
