Online Salesman Broker Instructions
Online applicants:
Having the following information will expedite the application process.
- You will have the opportunity to upload required and optional documentation. (School Certificate, if licensed in another state a Certificate of Licensure, explanation to any adverse answers concerning criminal conviction(s), liens, judgments, etc.)
- You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, or Online Check.
The following applications may be processed online:
- Salesman Exam Application (For Initial License Only)
- Broker's Exam Application (For Initial Broker's License Only)
- Property Manager Exam Application (For Initial PM License Only)
The requirements below are outlined for you to make sure you meet the qualifications for licensure. All application fees are non-refundable.
Licensure Requirements
REAL ESTATE SALESMAN AND BROKER LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Read this information and refer to the License Law thoroughly before calling our office for further information.
RESIDENTS
Age:
Individuals must have attained the age of 18 to be licensed as a salesman and have attained the age of 21 to be licensed as a broker.
Education:
A prospective licensee must be a high school graduate or hold a certificate of equivalency.
I. Sales license applicants - Applicant must meet one of the following education criteria:
- Completed the 60 hour Unit I: Salesperson qualifying course within the last 5 years (must upload completion certificate. Applicant must also take Unit II: Advanced Real Estate Principals 30 hour course prior to issuance of license)
- Hold a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law degree, or hold a baccalaureate degree or masters degree with a major in Real Estate (Must upload a copy of official transcript from accredited College or University)
- Be a non-resident and currently have an active or inactive salesperson or broker license in another state (obtain a certification of licensure from all licensed jurisdictions). Note that this application is not for current SC Provisional Salespersons attempting to upgrade to permanent sales status.
II. For a broker's license, completion of 150 hours, 90 hours of which may be the hours required for a salesperson's license, 60 hours of broker courses (Broker Unit III A & B) consisting of classroom instruction in advanced real estate principles and practices, and three years of experience within the past five years with a salesman's license. Additional acceptable criteria is evidence submitted to the Department of a Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Laws degree, or a baccalaureate degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university.
Experience:
There is no license experience requirement for a sales examination.
For the broker's examination the law requires three or more years of active licensure within the last five years preceding application. To receive recognition for out-of-state experience, a non-resident applicant must obtain a Certification of Licensure, including history, education, and disciplinary action from the state real estate regulatory agency(s) where the applicant is or has been licensed.
Examination:
Examinations are scheduled accordingly Monday through Saturday in Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and in Charlotte, NC. PSI is the examination provider for the Commission and they publish a Candidate Information Bulletin for approved candidates for the real estate examinations. Candidates receive a link to this bulletin when they receive the examination eligibility letter from the Commission. Examinees must receive a passing score on both portions of the exam (general and state) prior to applying for the appropriate real estate license. Retesting may be scheduled accordingly with PSI if one or both portions of the examination are failed.
Miscellaneous:
I. Commission Review - Any applicant who has been convicted of a crime or sanctioned by any licensing agency must reveal that fact on their application. The Commission may review the application of an individual and then conduct an investigation which may result in a delay in processing time of scheduling the examination application.
II. Processing Fees - Upon initial application, an individual must pay the following fees:
1. Sales - $25 . After passing the examination, applicants must pay a license fee of $50 for a salesperson license.
2. Broker - $25. After passing the examination, applicants must submit a separate two-year licensing fee of $250 for a broker-in-charge license or $125 for a broker license. (If the licensee is currently a salesperson a $25 upgrade fee is the only payment due. The expiration date on your current license will not change.)
PSI's examination fee is $63. (Paid directly to PSI at time of registration)
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIREMENT - Per SC State Law Section 40-57-115:
An applicant for licensure as a salesperson, broker, broker-in-charge, property manager or property manager-in-charge in South Carolina must submit to a state fingerprint-based criminal records check, a national fingerprint-based criminal records check, and a social security number-based criminal records check.
Once the application has been received, the applicant will receive specific instructions from the South Carolina Real Estate Commission Board (SCREC) via email on how to have a fingerprint-based check processed. Do not have fingerprints processed until these instructions are sent directly from the SCREC.
To have the social security number based check processed, visit https://srandi.com/authorize.aspx?P=R52SG9 and follow the instructions provided on the website. The criminal history results will be transmitted directly to the SCREC.
PERSONS LICENSED IN OTHER STATES
All applicants must meet the requirements outlined previously for residents as to age, education, and experience.
Non-resident applicants who are actively licensed in another state may exempt the general portion of the license examination and sit for the State portion of the applicable South Carolina Real Estate Examination. Those individuals must also submit with the application a Certification of Licensure, including history, education, and disciplinary action from each state in which they have or held a real estate license.