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How to get a real estate license in South Dakota. 116 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $569. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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50% of data points are verified against official sources. 5 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$569
Total Gov Fees
168
Exam Questions
4.5 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
Take SDREC-approved 116-hour course (online or in-person).
Estimated time: 6–14 weeks
Schedule at PSI. Pay $196 exam fee (combined). Pass both National (75%) and State (75%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Submit background check ($43 fee).
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Secure a sponsoring responsible broker. Submit application with $225 license fee.
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | Not explicitly required by statute |
| Residency | Required SD residency required for Broker Associate license. |
| Citizenship | US citizen or lawfully admitted alien Must have a Social Security number. |
| Background Check | Required DCI + FBI fingerprint-based. Fee: $50 (effective Oct 1, 2025). |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must affiliate with a South Dakota responsible broker. |
| E&O Insurance | Required Required before license activation. Group policy available through RISC. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
SDREC-approved education providers
Required Courses
116 hours is among the highest pre-licensing requirements in the nation.
Exam Details
Officially verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
168
Total Time
270 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice + simulation. 3 portions: National MC (100 Qs), State MC (57 Qs), Simulation (11 problems, 9 scored). In-person at PSI test centers. NO remote proctoring.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National MC | 100 | 150 min | 75% |
| State MC | 57 | min | 75% |
| Simulation | 11 | min | 75% |
Retake Policy
May retake failed portion(s). $98 per portion per attempt.
75% / scaled 75 passing on all portions. 3-portion exam with simulation section is unusual. $98 per portion ($294 total for 3 portions); some sources cite $105 combined — verify against current PSI fee schedule. 60-day window to apply for license after passing exam. Pre-license course valid for 2 years.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee (3 portions) Paid to: PSI Services | |
License Application Fee Paid to: SDREC | |
Background Check / Fingerprinting Paid to: State / Vendor | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $569 |
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Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in South Dakota with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
Biennial. Expires November 30.
First Renewal Notes
Post-license: 60 hrs total (30 hrs PL1 + 30 hrs PL2), all in required subject areas (no electives).
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
Officially verifiedHas Reciprocity
No
Type: No Formal Reciprocity (Endorsement Available)
No formal reciprocity agreements. Licensing-by-endorsement pathway available for out-of-state licensees.
8–20 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive study. Typical: 12–16 weeks. The 116-hour education requirement significantly extends the timeline compared to most states.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Dakota.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#44 of 49
Salary
#20 of 49
Cost
#43 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$45,330
25th percentile
Median
$54,410
-3% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$77,550
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
330 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+6% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$54,410
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$54,410
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$57,440
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
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.
Source: SDREC — Official Website
Estimated total: 8–20 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: SDREC — Official Website
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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