Real Estate Agent in South Carolina

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$49,990
trending_down -11.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Carolina.

engineering
3,900

Jobs (SC)

monitoring Stable
+3.1%

10-yr job growth

payments
$88

Licensing fees

schedule
3-16 weeks

Time to complete

route How to become a real estate agent in South Carolina

To become a licensed Real Estate Agent in South Carolina, individuals must complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson Exam, and undergo a background check. The licensing body is the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and secure a sponsoring broker after passing the exam to apply for their license. South Carolina offers reciprocity with Georgia and North Carolina, with specific requirements for agents from other states.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $24,020
25th percentile $38,730
50th (median) $49,990
75th percentile $73,040
90th (experienced) $133,570

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Carolina. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist South Carolina requirements

Licensing bodySouth Carolina Real Estate Commission
State license Required
Education90-hour pre-licensing course
ExamSouth Carolina Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI) ($63)
Application fee$25
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education10.0 hours per cycle
ReciprocitySC has formal reciprocity with GA/NC; other states require the SC exam portion and courses.Reciprocal states: South Carolina has formal reciprocity with Georgia and North Carolina. Agents from other states may be eligible for an expedited process by endorsement, typically requiring them to pass the South Carolina portion of the real estate exam and potentially complete additional courses depending on their residency in SC.
NotesApplicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. A background check and fingerprinting are required. Must be lawfully present and eligible to work in the United States. Must obtain sponsorship from a licensed South Carolina broker after passing the exam and before applying for the license.

Source: South Carolina Real Estate Commission

Already licensed elsewhere and moving to South Carolina? See whether South Carolina recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Real Estate Agent license reciprocity guide.

workspace_premium South Carolina license tiers

South Carolina offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:

Tier Hours required
Salesperson N/A
Broker N/A
Broker-in-Charge N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+3.1%
Average
Annual openings
36,600
Nationwide per year
Total employment
420,900
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 0.86/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

  • check_circleSouth Carolina license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • warningElevated AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a real estate agent in South Carolina? expand_more
The path to real estate agent licensure in South Carolina: complete the required education (90-hour pre-licensing course), pass the South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI), and submit your application ($25 fee).
Is a real estate agent license required in South Carolina? expand_more
You cannot practice as a real estate agent in South Carolina without a state license from South Carolina Real Estate Commission. The required exam is the South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI).
How much does a real estate agent make in South Carolina? expand_more
The median real estate agent salary in South Carolina is $49,990 per year. — 11% under the $56,320 national average. The range spans from $24,020 at the entry level to $133,570 for top earners.
How expensive is real estate agent licensing in South Carolina? expand_more
The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($63) and application fee ($25) and required training.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in South Carolina? expand_more
Expect to spend 3-16 weeks from start to finish in South Carolina — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.
What are the continuing education requirements for real estate agents in South Carolina? expand_more
South Carolina requires 10.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your real estate agent license.

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