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How to become a licensed Property Manager in South Carolina. Real Estate License with Property Manager-in-Charge designation required. 90 hours pre-licensing education. Total initial fees: $236. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Property Manager — PM
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Yes
License Required
Real Estate License with Property Manager-in-Charge designation
License Type
90 hours
Pre-Licensing Hours
Yes
Exam Required
$236
Total Initial Fees
Every 2 years
Renewal Period
South Carolina property management licensing requirements
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
Real Estate License with Property Manager-in-Charge designation
Separate PM License
Yes
South Carolina offers a specific property management license pathway
Own Property Exempt
Exempt
Managing your own property typically does not require a license
On-Site Manager Exempt
Exempt
Most states require a real estate license to manage property for others (collecting rent, leasing, marketing). Managing your own property typically does not require a license. A few states (Oregon, Montana, DC, Nevada, South Carolina) offer specific property management license categories separate from or in addition to the standard real estate license.
Education, Exams & Professional Certifications
VerifiedPre-Licensing Education
90 hours
Exam Required
Yes
State real estate exam administered by PSI. National and South Carolina-specific portions. Additional PMIC requirements.
Education Details
Complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education. South Carolina has a Property Manager-in-Charge (PMIC) designation.
Professional Certifications (Voluntary)
Most states that require a license for property management mandate completion of pre-licensing real estate education courses and passing a state exam. Professional certifications such as CPM (Certified Property Manager from IREM), ARM (Accredited Residential Manager), and CAM (Certified Apartment Manager from NAA) are voluntary but can significantly enhance career prospects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee for property manager license in South Carolina | $125 |
Exam Fee Examination fee paid to testing provider (PSI, Pearson VUE, or state) | $61 |
License Fee Initial license issuance fee for South Carolina | $50 |
Renewal Fee License renewal fee — renews every 2 years | $45 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, exam, and license fees. Does not include education costs, background check fees, or E&O insurance. | $236 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
VerifiedEvery 2 years
Renewal Period
10 hours per renewal
Continuing Education
$45
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Details
10 hours of continuing education per renewal period.
Regulatory Board
Most states require continuing education for license renewal. Topics typically include fair housing law, ethics, property management best practices, agency law, and state-specific regulatory updates. Failure to complete CE requirements may result in license suspension or lapse.
Step-by-step licensing process for South Carolina
Mostly verifiedComplete 90 hours of pre-licensing education from a South Carolina-approved provider
Pass the South Carolina real estate licensing examination (national and state portions)
Submit license application to South Carolina Real Estate Commission
Pass a background check (most states require fingerprinting)
Obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance if required by your state
Obtain Property Manager-in-Charge (PMIC) designation if supervising PM activities
Affiliate with a licensed broker (if obtaining salesperson license) or establish your own brokerage
Begin property management operations
Estimated Timeline
2-8 weeks after completing pre-licensing education and passing the exam
South Carolina has a unique Property Manager-in-Charge (PMIC) designation, requiring a real estate license plus additional property management-specific requirements. PMIC must supervise all PM activities in a firm.
Property management of others' properties in South Carolina requires a Real Estate License with Property Manager-in-Charge designation.
Managing your own property does not require a license in most cases.
On-site managers employed directly by the property owner may be exempt from licensing requirements.
Activities requiring a license typically include: collecting rent, leasing units, marketing properties, negotiating leases, and managing security deposits on behalf of property owners.
There is no interstate compact for property managers.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Carolina.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#33 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers (SOC 11-9141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$52,680
-13% vs. national avg ($60,670)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+5%
High DemandNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 8–16 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
8–16 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for real estate and property management licensing exams.
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Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
South Carolina requires a Real Estate License with Property Manager-in-Charge designation for property management. 90 hours of pre-licensing education required. Complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education. South Carolina has a Property Manager-in-Charge (PMIC) designation. Licensing is managed through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.