Real Estate

How do I get my Real Estate License in South Carolina?

The license law for real estate is an ever evolving body of work. You will see updates occasionally and, in the case of the law passed in 2016, you will notice that a number of statutes have been modified. It is subject to implementation by the Real Estate Commission, who promulgates rules and regulations to enforce the law.

Licensure of real estate salesmen: To obtain a real estate sales license, you will be required to successfully complete 60 hours of training in an approved pre-license Unit I course, either in classroom or online. For online pre-license courses, a student will find that the course examination must be given by a licensed real estate instructor in an educational facility physically located within the state of South Carolina.

A license candidate may sit for the state license exam given by PSI after completing the initial 60 hours of class, but may not receive a license until completing the final 30 hours of post licensing classes. The provisional sales license was last issued on December 31, 2016.

We recommend taking the 90 hours of training consecutively to minimize the time required before you can receive your sales license.

First you must complete an approved 60 hour first year sales course designed to prepare you for the licensing exam. After completing the First Year Sales Course, you would send your application to the LLR - Real Estate Commission, then make an appointment to take the state exam. Once you take the state exam and complete the 30 hours of Unit II and become affiliated with a company, you will be issued a real estate sales license, which is valid for two years.

A criminal background check is now required for all initial applicants, from a source approved by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission pursuant to SC Code Section 40-57-115. The law currently reads as follows:

SC Code 40-57-115. Criminal background checks required for initial applicants.

In addition to other requirements established by law and for the purpose of determining an applicant's eligibility for licensure as a salesman, broker, broker-in-charge, property manager, and property manager-in-charge, the commission shall require initial applicants to submit to a state criminal records check, by a source approved by the commission, and a national criminal records check. Costs of conducting a criminal records check must be borne by the applicant. The commission shall keep information received pursuant to this section confidential, except that information relied upon in denying licensure my be disclosed as necessary to support the administrative action.

Instructions on obtaining a criminal records check for licensure:

1. Use the link: www.srandi.com and select GET STARTED.
2. Select the Affiliate Tab.
3. Enter the Affiliate Code: R52SG9
4. Review the Real Estate Commission's requirements as listed on the screen.
5. Enter the required information to conduct your background check.
6. Enter your address history, including current and former addresses.
7. Enter your driver's license information.
8. Read and e-sign your release form.
9. Submit your payment information. They take Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover Cards. The cost is $40 for a background check involving a single state of residency. Multiple states cost more.
10. Review your payment and create an account. Print the Release Form for your own copy. Create a log in to obtain a copy of your background check once completed by SR&I.
11. Wait three days. Once your report is ready, go to www.srandi.com and select Get Started. Use the Log In field to get a copy of your report.

The Real Estate Commission now requires you to submit a completed background check from this one place, SR&I. They won't accept a background check from anywhere else.

YOU CANNOT APPLY FOR YOUR LICENSE EXAMINATION UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE BACKGROUND CHECK. IT MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION, ALONG WITH YOUR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION FROM YOUR REAL ESTATE, BROKER OR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CLASS.

We offer the real estate licensing class in four classroom formats for your convenience: Full Days, Half Days, Weekends and Evenings. We also offer online classes as well.

• Full Day courses meet Monday through Thursday, from 9:00am - 5:30pm for two weeks.
• Half Day courses meet Monday through Friday, from 9:00am - 1:00pm for three weeks.
• Weekend courses meet Saturday and Sunday, from 9:00am - 5:30pm for four weekends. Generally this class meets for 2 weekends, then skips a weekend, and then meets for 2 more weekends.
• Evening courses meet either Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:45 - 9:45pm for 15 sessions or Monday through Thursday evenings from 5:45pm - 9:45pm for 15 sessions.

How do I become a Broker or Broker In Charge?

Own your own real estate company! As a Broker In Charge, you are able to form your own firm and focus on the goals and service ideals that are important to you. If you're ready to go out on your own, or simply wish to move up to the Broker's License level without becoming a Broker In Charge, our Broker A and B classes are for you!

Both Broker A and Broker B are required, along with the state licensing exam to obtain your broker's license (plus three years of licensure as a real estate salesman). Our curriculum covers the specific information you will need to pass the state exam and also provides an in-depth experience to help you understand what it takes to run an office.

Our Broker A course is THE brokerage management course designed specifically to provide you with the knowledge to launch your own successful real estate company. It is a practical, real-world course that requires no exit exam.

Our Broker B course is the traditional exam preparation course that Chip Browne has been teaching since 1982.