South Carolina Real Estate License Reciprocity
How to transfer your real estate license from another state to South Carolina.
What is real estate license reciprocity? One may obtain a real estate license by reciprocity or mutual recognition if the person has a current license in another state. It basically means you would transfer your license without having to take some or all of the state’s pre-licensing requirements. Requirements for an of-state-real estate license vary by state.
Does South Carolina have real estate reciprocity with other states?
Yes. South Carolina has reciprocity agreements with North Carolina and Georgia. If you are currently licensed in Georgia , you may be able to obtain your South Carolina license without having to take either portion of the real estate exam (national and state). If you are licensed in North Carolina, you would only need to take the state portion of the exam.
If you are actively licensed in another non-reciprocal state, you may be able to obtain your SC license by taking only the state portion of the exam if your license has not been expired for more than 6 months.
All applicants will need to meet other basic requirements (full license history certification, fingerprinting, consent to out of state service of process, etc.)
Requirements to get a real estate salesperson license in South Carolina for out-of-state persons:
- You must have a current license in Georgia or North Carolina. (The states with reciprocity.)
- You must have a current and active license if from a state without reciprocity that has not been expired within the last 6 months.
- For states other than Georgia, you must pass the South Carolina state portion of the real estate license exam. For Georgia, you do not have to take either portion.
- Provide a certificate of licensure from the reciprocal out-of-state license and any state where you have been licensed within the last 5 years. It must show the type of license you hold, the criteria upon which you qualified for licensure (such as examination or reciprocity), the duration of your licensure, your status history (including broker/firm affiliations), and any disciplinary actions.
- Apply for background check – fingerprinting.
- Apply for your salesperson license with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
References for real estate license in South Carolina if licensed in another state:
Links for quick reference.
- Exam Prep course course: SC state portion only – Online
- South Carolina real estate exam by PSI.
- Licensing Requirements – By the SC Real Estate Commission (pdf).
- Documentation required (pdf)
- Background check – Included within the license application
- Application for South Carolina Real Estate License – Associate License (Entry level similar to sales agent license in other states)
South Carolina Real Estate Course (SC State Portion Only): This an approved online exam course for all out-of-state licensee applicants. It helps you to prepare you for the South Carolina state portion of the real estate exam. It includes reading material and practice exams covering subjects on the real estate exam.