South Carolina real estate exam
Format, passing score, fees and what to study — compiled from the official candidate handbook and state sources, with a link and a confidence level for every fact. Last verified 2026-10-31.
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South Carolina exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | South Carolina Real Estate Commission (SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) SC's entry-level license is 'associate' (formerly salesperson). | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | PSI Services LLC Bulletin (c) 2026, updated 8/27/2026. | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 80 Associate national = 80 items; 5-10 unscored experimental questions may be added (SC bulletin says their time does NOT count against testing time). | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 40 Associate state = 40 items. | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 200 National 120 min + State 80 min. | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | National 56 of 80 (70%); State 28 of 40 (70%) Broker: 60/75 and 36/50. | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $67 Both portions $67; one portion $59 (applies to associate and broker). Valid one year from payment. | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 90 60 hours Unit I (fundamentals, required before exam) + 30 hours Unit II advanced principles (may be completed after the exam but before licensure) per S.C. Code 40-57-320 and LLR Oct 2023 clarification (90 total). Law… | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English No other language mentioned. | Secondary source | Link |
| Active licensees | 32991 32,991 active associate licensees (plus 6,920 active brokers-in-charge and 4,757 active brokers), per Commission Executive Report, Aug 6, 2025 meeting. | Official source | Link |
“Official source” = read in a state agency page or the exam provider’s candidate handbook on 2026-10-31. Anything marked “Vendor claim” or “Not verified” should be confirmed before you rely on it. Fees and formats change.
What this means for your study plan
- Time per question: about 1.7 minutes each (200 minutes ÷ 120 questions). Practice at that pace.
- Both portions count: you must reach the pass mark on each portion — a strong national score does not make up for a weak South Carolina score.
- Where people lose points: math word problems, wording traps (NOT/EXCEPT), and state rules that differ from the national rule. Our formula sheet covers the math.
- Good to know: Apply to the Commission first; Exam Eligibility letter valid 1 year; unlimited retests within that year. Associate national weights: Property ownership 10%, Land use 5%, Valuation 8%, Financing 10%, Contracts 19%, Agency 13%, Disclosures 7%, Property mgmt 3%, Transfer of title 6%, Practice 12%, Calculations 7%.
State-portion topics published for South Carolina
- SC Real Estate Commission and Licensing Requirements (9 items)
- Statutes Governing the Activities of Licensees and Non-Licensees (11 items)
- SC Agency and Non-agency Relationships and Issues (11 items)
- Additional SC Statutes and Topics (6 items): Consumer Protection Code, homestead exemption, vacation rental/time sharing, residential property condition disclosure, SC fair housing, smoke detector law
- Closing Details (3 items)
Sample South Carolina practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation. South Carolina-specific questions are coming soon; these samples come from the national portion.
Why would a borrower pay discount points at closing?
- To avoid paying origination fees
- To increase the loan amount
- To obtain a lower interest rate
- To eliminate private mortgage insurance
Answer: C. Discount points are prepaid interest. The borrower pays more at closing to receive a lower rate and lower monthly payments, which makes sense mainly if the borrower will keep the loan long enough to recover the cost. Points are part of the finance charge under TILA.
Topic: Real Estate Finance · Source: 12 C.F.R. § 1026.4(b)(3) (points as finance charges)
One discount point on a mortgage loan equals:
- 1% of the sales price
- 1% of the monthly payment
- 1/8 of 1% of the loan amount
- 1% of the loan amount
Answer: D. A point is a one-time charge equal to one percent of the loan amount. For a $200,000 loan, one point is $2,000. Points paid to reduce the interest rate are called discount points.
Topic: Real Estate Finance · Source: 12 C.F.R. § 1026.37(f)(1)(i) (points disclosed as a percentage of loan amount)
A landowner sells the right to extract oil and gas but keeps the surface. Which statement is correct?
- Mineral rights always pass with the surface and cannot be split
- Mineral rights belong exclusively to the federal government
- Mineral rights end when the surface owner dies
- Mineral rights can be severed and owned separately from the surface
Answer: D. Ownership of land can be divided horizontally: the surface, the minerals, and sometimes the air above can each be owned by different people. Severed mineral estates are commonly bought, sold, and leased, and they are typically reflected in the chain of title.
Topic: Property Ownership & Interests · Source: Black's Law Dictionary (12th ed. 2024), "mineral rights"
Try the full 20-question South Carolina quiz
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the South Carolina real estate exam?
The South Carolina exam format we found is 80 national questions plus 40 South Carolina questions (120 in total) in 200 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the South Carolina real estate exam?
National 56 of 80 (70%); State 28 of 40 (70%) (Official source).
How much does the South Carolina real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $67, paid to PSI Services LLC. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does South Carolina require?
90 hours for the entry-level license, according to the sources below. Pre-licensing education must come from a state-approved school; GablePrep is exam prep and is not an approved course.
Official sources for South Carolina
- Regulator: South Carolina Real Estate Commission (SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)
- Exam provider: PSI Services LLC
- Official candidate handbook / content outline
Independent exam prep. Not affiliated with any state real estate commission or testing provider. Not an approved pre-licensing course. Not legal advice.