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Real Estate Broker
Total cost: $865
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
60 hrs
Pre-License Hours
5 yrs
Experience Required
Yes
Exam Required
10 hrs
CE Hours
$865
Total Fees
Permitted
Dual Agency
Broker Pre-License Education
Mostly verifiedPre-License Hours
60 hours
College Degree Required
No
Approved Providers
South Carolina-approved real estate schools, colleges, and online providers
Additional Broker Courses
Additional broker-specific courses in management, supervision, and advanced real estate topics required beyond salesperson education
Course Topics
Real estate broker education requirements include pre-license coursework covering topics such as real estate law, brokerage management, contracts, finance, and ethics. Some states require a college degree in addition to pre-license hours, while others accept equivalent experience.
Browse Real Estate Broker study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Start with the salesperson license
Broker licensing in South Carolina typically requires completing your salesperson (real estate agent) license first and practicing for 5 years before you can sit for the broker exam. The pre-licensing courses below are the recommended starting point on the path to a broker license.
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Agent Experience & Transaction History
Mostly verifiedAgent Experience Required
Prior real estate sales agent experience
5 yrs
Min Years as Agent
Most states require a period of active experience as a licensed real estate sales agent before qualifying for a broker license. Some states use a points-based system or require a minimum number of closed transactions as an alternative or additional requirement.
State Broker Exam
Mostly verifiedState Broker Exam Required
Real estate broker licensing examination
Multiple-choice; national and state-specific portions
Format
PSI
Provider
70%
Passing Score
$63
Exam Fee
Exam Sections
The real estate broker exam typically includes both a national portion covering general real estate principles and a state-specific portion covering local laws and regulations. Exams are usually administered by third-party providers such as PSI or Pearson VUE at authorized testing centers.
Overall licensing difficulty: 10/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Browse study guides
Broker Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Real Estate Broker Exam
Passing Score
70%
Format
Multiple-choice; national and state-specific portions
Administered By
PSI
Key Topics Covered
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $63Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Real Estate Broker Exam.
Study guides for the real estate broker licensing exam.
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Broker Practice Capabilities
VerifiedYes
Independent Practice
Yes
Supervise Agents
Yes
Operate Brokerage
Yes
Property Management
Yes
Escrow Handling
Yes
Dual Agency
Yes
Designated Agency
Restricted Activities
Real estate brokers have a broader scope of practice than sales agents, including the ability to operate their own brokerage, supervise agents, and handle escrow funds. Dual agency (representing both buyer and seller) and designated agency rules vary significantly by state.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $100 |
Exam Fee Paid to PSI | $63 |
License Fee Per AceableAgent and PrepAgent directly: 'The broker fee is $125, and the broker-in-charge fee is $250' (covers 2 years). Schema target is Broker-in-Charge = $250. Updated from $100 on 2026-04-30. | $250 |
E&O Insurance Errors and omissions insurance; varies by provider | $200 |
MLS Fees MLS membership varies by local association | $400 |
Renewal Fee | $45 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, exam, license, E&O insurance, and MLS fees | $865 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Mostly verified2 years (renewal by June 30 of renewal year)
Renewal Period
10 hrs
CE Hours Required
—
Post-License Education
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$45
Regulatory Board
Broker licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state real estate commission. Continuing education typically covers topics such as ethics, fair housing, agency law, and state-specific legal updates. Some states also require post-license education within the first renewal period.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
Yes
ARELLO Certification
Accepted
Reciprocal States
Reciprocity Requirements
Real estate broker reciprocity agreements allow brokers licensed in one state to obtain a license in another state with reduced requirements. ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) certification may be accepted in some states. Requirements typically include passing the state-specific portion of the broker exam.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare South Carolina with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
South Carolina's Broker-in-Charge (BIC) is a designation above Broker that allows establishing a real estate firm. Effective May 21, 2024 (Act 204): BIC experience increased from 3 to 5 years; 'Salesperson' renamed to 'Associate'; Associates may only work under ONE BIC. 2-tier broker education: Associate 90 hrs (Unit I 60 + Unit II 30) → Broker 60 additional hrs (Unit III A 30 + Unit III B 30). Broker fee $125; BIC fee $250 (both cover 2 years). Reciprocity with Georgia (full, since 1991), North Carolina (since 2024), and West Virginia. Min age 21 for Broker. Post-license 30-hr requirement was rolled into pre-license effective 2017.
SC has 2-tier broker structure: Associate (entry, 90-hr pre-license = Unit I 60 + Unit II 30) → Broker (upgrade, 60-hr additional = Unit III A 30 + Unit III B 30). Broker-in-Charge (BIC) is designation above Broker that allows establishing own real estate firm.
Schema's 'Broker-in-Charge' credential targets the Broker upgrade education (60 hrs) plus 5-year experience requirement.
Effective May 21, 2024 (2024 Act 204 / H.4754): Major Practice Act revisions: 'Salesperson' replaced with 'Associate'; BIC experience increased from 3 to 5 years; Associates limited to ONE BIC; team advertising rules; AI communication responsibility; wholesaling restrictions; 24-month lapsed-to-cancelled timeline.
Effective beginning of 2017: 30-hour post-license requirement rolled into 90-hr Associate pre-license (no separate post-license requirement now).
Min age 21 for Broker (vs 18 for Associate).
10 CE hours per 2-year renewal cycle (by June 30): Broker = 4 hrs core + 6 hrs electives; BIC = 4 hr BIC Duties and Responsibilities + 4-hr core + 2 hrs electives.
License fees cover 2 years: Broker $125, Broker-in-Charge $250.
Reciprocity: GA (full since 1991, no exam, must be GA resident), NC (since Jan 2024, must pass SC state exam), WV.
Background check: SLED (state) + FBI fingerprint via IdentoGO ($40-$50).
Dual agency is permitted with proper disclosure in South Carolina.
Real Estate Broker Schools in South Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
South Carolina requires 60 hours of pre-license education and 5 years of agent experience for broker licensure. A state broker exam is required. All licensing is managed through the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state real estate commission.