South Carolina Real Estate Associate Exam Exam Guide
At a glance
- Questions
- 120
- Time limit
- 3h 20m
- Passing score
- 70% on each portion
- Exam fee
- $63
- Governing body
- South Carolina Real Estate Commission
The South Carolina Real Estate Associate exam is the entry-level licensing test for aspiring real estate agents in the state, administered by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission (a division of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation). Candidates take it after completing their pre-licensing coursework and must pass it to work as a supervised licensee under a broker. As of May 21, 2024, South Carolina renamed this entry-level license from "Salesperson" to "Associate."
Overview
The exam is split into a national portion covering general real estate principles and practices, and a South Carolina state portion covering state-specific law. The scored state-law content areas for the Associate exam include:
- South Carolina Agency and Non-agency Relationships and Issues — 11 items
- Statutes Governing the Activities of Licensees and Non-Licensees — 11 items
- South Carolina Real Estate Commission and Licensing Requirements — 9 items
- Additional South Carolina Statutes and Topics — 6 items
- Closing Details — 3 items
Pre-licensing education requires 60 hours of Unit I Fundamentals of Real Estate coursework plus an additional 30 hours of Unit II Advanced Real Estate Principles.
Cost and registration
Taking both exam portions together costs $63, while retaking a single portion costs $55. Candidates also pay a separate $25 application fee to the South Carolina Real Estate Commission, and a $50 initial licensure fee once they pass. Fee amounts are set by the Commission and its testing vendor and are worth confirming against the current official fee schedule before you pay.
Exam format
The full exam totals 120 questions across 200 minutes: an 80-question national portion (120 minutes) and a 40-question South Carolina state portion (80 minutes). Passing requires 70% on each portion separately — 56 of 80 correct on the national portion and 28 of 40 correct on the state portion. Exam eligibility is valid for 1 year, and candidates may retest an unlimited number of times within that window as long as both portions are passed before it expires. The exam is administered by PSI Testing Services.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the South Carolina Associate real estate exam cost?
Taking both portions together costs $63, while retaking a single portion costs $55. There's also a separate $25 application fee paid to the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
What is the passing score on the real South Carolina Associate exam?
You need 70% correct on each portion separately: 56 of 80 on the national portion and 28 of 40 on the state portion. Passing one portion doesn't offset a failing score on the other.
How long is the South Carolina Associate exam and who administers it?
The full exam runs 200 minutes: 120 minutes for the 80-question national portion and 80 minutes for the 40-question state portion. It's administered by PSI Testing Services on behalf of the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
What are the eligibility requirements for the South Carolina Associate license?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, complete 60 hours of Unit I Fundamentals of Real Estate education plus an additional 30 hours of Unit II Advanced Real Estate Principles, and pass both examination portions. Exam eligibility, once approved, stays valid for 1 year.
Can I retake the exam if I fail a portion?
Yes, you can retest on an unlimited basis during your 1-year eligibility period, but you must pass both the national and state portions within that same year. A single-portion retake costs $55.
Was the South Carolina Associate license always called something else?
Yes. As of May 21, 2024, South Carolina renamed the entry-level license from 'Salesperson' to 'Associate' under state law. An Associate is a supervised licensee who has met the experience and education requirements and passed both examination portions.
Sources
- 1.South Carolina Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI Services LLC, updated 1/1/2026) — South Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) (accessed Aug 10, 2026)
- 2.Associate License Requirements and Application Process Overview (SC Real Estate Commission, v2.2) — South Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) (accessed Aug 10, 2026)
- 3.SC Code of Laws, Title 40, Chapter 57 — Real Estate Brokers, Brokers-in-Charge, Associates, and Property Managers — South Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) (accessed Aug 10, 2026)
- 4.South Carolina Real Estate Commission — Associate Licensure — South Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) (accessed Aug 10, 2026)
- 5.Real Estate Regulatory Agencies Directory — ARELLO
Official sources
Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.
- South Carolina Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI Services LLC, updated 1/1/2026)South Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)test-takers.psiexams.com
- Associate License Requirements and Application Process Overview (SC Real Estate Commission, v2.2)South Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)llr.sc.gov
- SC Real Estate Commission Fees (Rev. 2/20)South Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)llr.sc.gov
- SC Code of Laws, Title 40, Chapter 57 — Real Estate Brokers, Brokers-in-Charge, Associates, and Property ManagersSouth Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)scstatehouse.gov
- South Carolina Real Estate Commission — Associate LicensureSouth Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)llr.sc.gov
Last verified against the official exam content outline: