If you’re considering a career in real estate, South Carolina offers a clear path to getting licensed. The process includes completing state-approved coursework, passing the licensing exam, meeting background check requirements, and affiliating with a broker. Although there are several steps to complete, many applicants move from enrollment to an active license in just a few months. 

Below, we cover the costs, education hours, exam requirements, and steps involved in getting a South Carolina real estate license in 2026 

What Are South Carolina’s Pre-Licensing Requirements?

Before you touch a textbook, there are some basic requirements that need to be met:   

• You must be at least 18 years old. 

• You must have a high school diploma or GED.  

• You must be eligible to work in the U.S. and South Carolina. 

Once that's confirmed, the real work starts. South Carolina's pre-licensing requirements break into two courses totaling 90 hours: a 60-hour Unit I Salesperson Pre-Licensing course, followed by a 30-hour Unit II Advanced Real Estate Principles course. You can typically take either one online or in person, and both end in a final exam you need a 70% to pass, proctored either way. 

If you're already licensed in another state, ask your school about a Unit I waiver — SC sometimes allows it with a certificate of licensure, though residents of more than six months are still on the hook for Unit II. 

How Much Does a Real Estate License Cost in South Carolina?

There's no single number here, but the major line items are consistent across providers: 

• Pre-Licensing Coursework: The biggest cost, and the one with the widest range between schools. 

• State Exam Fee: You pay this when you schedule your PSI exam. 

• Background Check and Fingerprinting: This is a flat fee through the state's process. 

• License Application Fee: You pay when you submit to SCREC. 

Self-paced online courses tend to run cheaper than in-person classroom programs, but they ask more of your own discipline to actually finish on schedule. That is why, if you want a real shot at passing the state exam on the first attempt, without having to pay another exam fee, it is wise to consider the additional cost of an exam prep class aside from your core classes.

How Long Does It Actually Take To Get A Real Estate License In South Carolina?

For most people moving at a reasonable pace, the full process takes two to four months, counting from registration up to license activation. The 90 hours of coursework are the biggest chunk of that time, particularly if you're studying around a full-time job. After completing your coursework and taking your PSI exam, the background check and application process takes about one to two weeks.  

The most important thing here is consistency in studying. Those who spend a certain number of hours per week studying usually manage to finish within two months. Those who do not manage to fit their study into their schedule usually take four months or more.

How Long Is Real Estate School in South Carolina?

"School" here means the 90 total hours of coursework, split into 60 hours for Unit I and 30 hours for Unit II. There is no mandatory period set by the state, since some online programs allow you to proceed as quickly as you learn the material, provided you successfully complete all the unit tests. Meanwhile, in-classroom programs operate according to an established weekly schedule that takes longer to complete but covers the same number of hours. 

What’s Next After Finishing Pre-Licensing?

Finishing your coursework isn't the finish line but rather a middle stage. From here: 

1. Pass both course final exams (70% minimum, proctored) 

2. Apply to the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to sit the state exam 

3. Pass the PSI exam — 110 questions covering national and state-specific material 

4. Complete a state and federal background check with fingerprinting 

5. Submit your full application through the SCREC portal 

6. Affiliate with a sponsoring broker to activate your license 

That state exam step trips up a lot of otherwise well-prepared candidates, mostly because the 30 state-specific questions get less attention than the national portion during coursework. If you want to study exactly what PSI tests instead of guessing, our South Carolina pre-licensing course is built around the current SCREC curriculum from the start, so you're not left covering gaps later.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Your Real Estate License in South Carolina

1. How do I get a real estate license in South Carolina? Take 90 hours of pre-licensing education approved by SCREC, pass your course finals, take and pass the state exam via PSI, pass a background check, and then activate your license under a sponsoring broker.
2. How much does real estate school cost? It depends on the provider and format. Online self-paced courses tend to be the more affordable option. Beyond the course itself, factor in the state exam fee and the background check, since neither is included in tuition — and a dedicated exam prep course will raise the total somewhat.
3. What's the difference between pre-licensing and exam prep? Pre-licensing is the 90-hour requirement — you can't sit the state exam without it, full stop. Exam prep sits on top of that and isn't required by the state, but it's built specifically around what PSI actually tests. It can give you additional practice before going straight from coursework to the exam.
4. How to become a real estate agent in South Carolina, beyond just the license? Getting licensed is the legal requirement; building an actual client base and income takes broker mentorship, local market knowledge, and time in the field. We cover that full path in more detail in our guide on becoming a real estate agent in South Carolina. 

Sources:  

• SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation 
• Background Check