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Real Estate Agent
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
To get a South Dakota real estate license in 2026, you must complete 116 hours of South Dakota Real Estate Commission-approved pre-licensing education, pass a background check, take and pass the PSI licensing exam, and find a sponsoring broker. Most applicants finish in 8–16 weeks and spend $718–$1,069 including course tuition.
Pre-License Hours
$569
Total Gov Fees
168
Exam Questions
4.5 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
CE Required
Renewal Fee
18 years old
Min. Age
South Dakota Real Estate Commission
Authority
| 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. |
Not sure if you need a real estate license? Check whether your state requires one.
| 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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
See the full cost breakdown with our License Cost Estimator →
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.
See our picks for the best real estate programs in South Dakota.
Exam Details
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
$98 per portion per attempt; individual portions may be retaken.
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.
For study strategies and what to expect on test day, see our guide to passing the real estate exam.
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
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
Biennial. Expires November 30.
First Renewal Notes
60 hours total post-licensing (30 hrs PL1 + 30 hrs PL2), all required subject areas.
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our real estate license renewal guide or compare deadlines across all 50 states.
See full CE requirements in South Dakota: Continuing education details →
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
No
Type: No Formal Reciprocity (Endorsement Available)
No formal reciprocity agreements. Licensing-by-endorsement pathway available for out-of-state licensees.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare South Dakota with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Real Estate Agent Schools in South Dakota
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Real Estate Agent requirements in South Dakota verified against South Dakota Real Estate Commission, April 2026.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-04-02.
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