In-Person vs. Live Virtual vs. Self-Paced: Which SC Real Estate Licensing Format Is Right for You?

The new South Carolina real estate continuing education cycle began July 1, 2026, and the renewal deadline is June 30, 2028. That gives you plenty of runway, but it also makes this the perfect time to plan. Important Note: Approximately half of the licensee population renews every year, so that means you're either on the even numbered years rotation (the one we're talking about in this post) OR you're on the odd numbered years rotation and will renew by June 30th 2027. These new courses will still be relevant for you, too. Think of CE as a two-year professional marathon, not a last-minute sprint. Get familiar with the new core course now, choose a format that fits your schedule, and you can avoid the April-to-June 2028 rush. What Changed for the 2026-2028 Cycle? Your core course has changed. For this cycle, the mandatory four-hour course is the 2026-2028 core, offered as SC Residential Core 2026-2028 or SC Commercial Core 2026-2028. The current core is titled "Highways and Byways of the SC Real Estate Commission." Choose the approved version that best matches your practice. If you are an active associate or broker, you need 10 total CE hours: 4 hours of the mandatory core course 6 hours of electives Active Broker-in-Charge licensees have a different combination, but the same 10-hour total: 4 hours of the mandatory BIC course 4 hours of the mandatory core course 2 hours of electives Confirm that the courses you select are approved for your license and the current cycle. Review the South Carolina Real Estate Commission CE page for course information and provider resources. Your Deadline and Reporting Checklist CE must be completed before you submit your renewal application. The renewal period is open from April through June of the expiry year, which means this cycle's renewal window is April through June 2028. Do not treat June 30 as the day to start arranging courses or checking your records. Use this simple plan: Check your license status and renewal requirements. Confirm whether you are active and whether your license type requires CE. Choose the right core. Select the residential or commercial core course appropriate for your practice. Complete your core and applicable electives. BICs should also complete the required BIC course. Check CE Broker. Providers report course hours to CE Broker within 14 days. Activate a free CE Broker account and verify that your hours appear. Submit your renewal only after CE is complete. The Commission requires completed CE before renewal submission. Do not send completion certificates to the Commission office. The Commission does not accept or store them. If a course is missing from your CE Broker account after the reporting period, contact your CE provider. After renewals close, the Commission conducts a random CE audit and will contact selected licensees with instructions. Which Licensees Need CE? CE requirements depend on your license type and status. Active associates and brokers: 10 hours, including the 4-hour core. Active BICs: 4-hour BIC course, 4-hour core, and 2 elective hours. Active Property Managers, Property Managers-in-Charge, and Timeshare Salespersons: CE is not required. Inactive licensees: CE is not required until you reactivate. If you are exempt, do not assume the exemption is automatic. Exemptions must be reported through CE Broker each renewal cycle, and are not effective until confirmed by the Commission. Some exemption pathways include: Full exemption: At least 25 years of South Carolina licensure and age 65 or older. Partial exemption: At least 25 years of South Carolina licensure. You still need the 4-hour core. A BIC with partial exemption must also complete the 4-hour BIC course and is exempt only from the 2 elective hours. Active-duty military: Exempt for periods of service. Upload military orders through CE Broker. Georgia residents also licensed in South Carolina: If you meet your resident jurisdiction's CE requirements, you may claim an exemption through CE Broker under the SC-GA reciprocity agreement. Associates completing Broker IIIA and IIIB: Exempt for the renewal period in which the broker pre-licensing courses were taken. See the Commission's CE exemptions and reporting information and follow its instructions before relying on an exemption. Don't Leave Your License Exposed If you are not renewed by June 30, 2028, your license becomes lapsed under S.C. Code 40-57-110(D). A lapsed licensee may not practice real estate or property management. You generally have 24 months from the expiration date to complete reinstatement. The process requires submitting a reinstatement application through Document Submission in the LLR Licensee Portal, along with proof of completed CE if applicable. After a processor reviews the submission, an invoice is emailed for the renewal fee plus a $15 per month reinstatement fee. If the license is not reinstated within the 24-month period, it is canceled. A canceled license requires applying again from scratch using a paper application. For reference, renewal fees are $45 for an associate, $55 for a broker, and $75 per office for a BIC. Background checks are not required for this renewal cycle. For details, consult the Commission's renewal and reinstatement FAQ. Make the Hours Fit Your Life You do not need to wait until 2028 to begin. Completing your CE early gives you room to handle busy seasons, travel, closings, and everything else competing for your calendar. It also gives you time to choose electives that support your work, rather than simply taking whatever is available at the last minute. Real Estate School of South Carolina's CE courses are available in in-person, live virtual, and self-paced online formats. Choose the learning option that fits your routine, and check the course details to confirm the core and elective hours apply to your license and this cycle. Payment options include paying in full or paying over time at checkout. Our school has served South Carolina real estate professionals for nearly 50 years. Founded in 1977 by Col. Charles "Charlie" Browne, Real Estate School of South Carolina is the state's oldest family-owned real estate school in continuous operation. Today, Melissa Sprouse Browne leads the school, continuing a legacy grounded in integrity, experience, and excellence. Our instructors include attorneys, veterans, and experienced brokers who bring practical perspectives to the classroom. Whether you prefer in-person instruction, live virtual learning, or a self-paced course, you can choose an approach that works for your schedule. FAQ: South Carolina CE 2026-2028 When is my CE due? Complete required CE during the April through June 2028 renewal period and before you submit your renewal. The final deadline is June 30, 2028. Do associates and brokers take 10 hours total? Yes, if active and not exempt: 4 hours of core CE plus 6 elective hours. Active BICs need 4 hours of BIC CE, 4 hours of core, and 2 elective hours. Do I need to upload my course certificate to the Commission? No. Providers report hours to CE Broker within 14 days. Do not send certificates to the Commission. Keep your records and check your CE Broker account. What if I am not sure whether I qualify for an exemption? Review the Commission's exemption rules and report your exemption through CE Broker each cycle. An exemption is not effective until the Commission confirms it. Where can I find courses and official instructions? Start with the Commission CE page, the renewal and reinstatement FAQ, and the school's CE course page. The cycle has just begun. Set your plan now, complete your hours on your schedule, and keep your professional momentum moving. Enroll now and make the 2028 renewal a straightforward finish, not a springtime scramble. We know real estate. Let us teach you.