South Carolina Reciprocity Requirements

If you’re already a licensed real estate agent, The South Carolina Real Estate Commission recognizes your associate or broker license from a different state. However, applicants will still need to pass the South Carolina portion of the real estate examination. Applicants may also be required to complete a South Carolina real estate course. The required course depends on your license type, with 30 hours required for Associates, and 60 hours for Brokers. This expedited licensing process is called reciprocity, and when used, will cost you less time and money getting your real estate license in South Carolina.

Portability: Cooperative

Reciprocity: Georgia & North Carolina

Associate Licensure Requirements:

To get your South Carolina Real Estate Associate license, you must meet these requirements:

1. Be at least 18 years of age or older.

2. Hold a high school diploma or a certificate of equivalency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

3. Complete 60 hours of required education. Note that you are considered exempt from the required 60 hours of education if you are:

   • An applicant with a law degree

   • An applicant with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) with a major in real estate

   • A Georgia reciprocity applicant (licensed by written exam and is a current Georgia resident)

   • Note: If you are an applicant from North Carolina, you are required to show proof of completing either North Carolina’s 90-hour post-license education or 90 hours of South Carolina’s pre-license education.

4. Complete the Commission-approved fingerprint and social security number background checks.

   • There are some exam exemptions:

     • A non-resident with an active license in another jurisdiction or whose license in another jurisdiction has not been expired for more than six months will only be required to take the State exam.

     • If you are a Georgia reciprocity applicant, then you are not required to take any examinations.

     • All North Carolina reciprocity applicants are required to pass the state portion of the licensing exam.

Broker Licensure Requirements:

To get your South Carolina Real Estate Broker license, you must meet these requirements:

1. Be at least 21 years of age or older.

2. Hold a high school diploma or hold a certificate of equivalency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

3. Complete 60 hours of education. Note that Georgia applicants are not required to take the 60 hours of education if they are:

   • An applicant with a law degree

   • An applicant with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) with a major in real estate

   • A Georgia reciprocity applicant (and either licensed by a written exam and a current Georgia resident)

4. North Carolina applicants must be in good standing with their state board and show proof of being an actively practicing broker-in-charge for three years.

5. Complete a background check.

6. Furnish proof of completing South Carolina’s Unit IIA Broker Management Unit IIIB Broker Principles courses, and the South Carolina portion of the broker examination.

The most important thing to remember in getting your license processed more quickly is to read and follow instructions regarding the types of documents you must submit and the order in which those documents should be submitted.

• The Exam Application For Real Estate is to be submitted by licensed applicants in states outside of Georgia.

• Criminal background check information will be provided after the application is received; however, you must fill out the applicable portions of the application.

• Fingerprints should not be obtained until the commission reviews your initial exam or reciprocity application.

• Submit the Authorization for Release of Information form for the social security number check.

Some South Carolina real estate agents become licensed in additional states to grow their business. The following states, most of which are near South Carolina, are some of the more common states in which agents have dual licenses.