South Carolina Real Estate Requirements.
This information is intended to provide answers to commonly asked questions by real estate agents. It is not intended to replace detailed information found in your state’s statutes and regulations. Though we have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information given is reliable and current, we cannot guarantee that it is. For more information please contact your state real estate department. See contact information below.
Continuing Education Hours Required:
Effective January 1, 2017:
A broker or salesperson must complete ten (10) hours of CE in a 2 year period. This includes six (6) hours of elective and four (4) hours of core real estate continuing education.
A broker-in-charge must complete ten (10) hours total of CE every two (2) years which will include the four (4) hour mandated core course and a four (4) hour course to include Broker-in-Charge Duties and Responsibilities, and two (2) elective credits.
A property manager must complete a seven (7) hour course in property management accounting and record keeping prior to becoming a property manager-in-charge.
Newly Licensed Salesperson CE Requirements:
New Salespeople in their first renewal cycle need to complete a 30 hour Advanced Real Estate Principles Course, a Post-Licensing course that can only be completed in a classroom setting within 12 months of being licensed.
*Important Notice Regarding Fingerprint Background Checks: All licensees who are due to renew in 2021 and 2022 will be required to be fingerprinted and have the background checks conducted. Please click here for more information: SC Real Estate Commission Fingerprint Background Check FAQ
Compliance Date
Renewal Date: Every two years by June 30th
Approved Course Delivery Methods
• Independent self-study online courses
• Classroom
Exam Requirements
Interactive Online Courses do not require a final exam
Course Subject Requirements
Four (4) hours from a Core course are required. Distance Education Core Courses are designated with a "DEC" preceding the approval number. Distance Education Elective Courses are designated with a "DEE" preceding the approval number.
Carryover Credits
Brokers and associates who take more than the required number of continuing education hours during a two-year period may now carryover up to four hours of elective courses to the next renewal period. (Section 40-57-340(C))
Course Repetition
Credit will not be given for courses that are repeated within the same compliance period.
Certificates of Completion and Credit Reporting
Students will receive a course completion document from Cape (available upon course completion).
Please maintain these documents for your records as proof of course completion.
Effective 7/1/17 - Providers are required to report CE credits. We have 15 days from the date of completion to report.
Exemptions
The age requirement of 65 has been removed from the CE Exemption requirements, but a licensee still has to accrue 25 years of licensed experience in order to qualify for exemption status. There are now full and partial CE Waivers. Please refer to Section 40-57-340(B)(4) of the Real Estate Practice Act for specific requirements. Licensees who were previously granted a full CE Waiver by the Commission are exempt ("grandfathered") from the new CE Exemption changes that take effect Jan 1, 2017.
Nonresident licensees are no longer allowed to use their resident jurisdiction’s continuing education to satisfy South Carolina’s CE requirements. This exemption, found in the previous version of the Real Estate Practice Act at Section 40-57-340(B)(1)(c), was removed with the 2024 update. (Section 40-57-340(B))
Contact Information:
If you have any questions on state requirements please contact:
South Carolina Real Estate Commission
Street Address:
Synergy Business Park-Kingstree Building
110 Centerview Dr, Ste 201
Columbia, SC 29210
Mailing Address:
PO Box 11847
Columbia, SC 29211-1847
Telephone: (803) 896-4400
Fax: (803) 896-4427
Email: contactllr@llr.sc.gov
Website: https://llr.sc.gov/
If you questions regarding our courses, please contact CAPE at:
CAPE School, Inc.
PO Box 169
Buckingham, VA 23921
phone: 800-729-7363
fax: 888-303-1828
or E-mail us
Have Questions? Call us at # 800-831-9135 or reach us by email at info@capeschool.com.