FREE South Carolina Real Estate Exam Guide 2026: Complete SCREC License Prep

South Carolina Real Estate License Overview

South Carolina offers a thriving real estate market with beautiful coastal properties, historic Charleston homes, and growing metropolitan areas. The South Carolina Real Estate Commission (SCREC), under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), oversees all real estate licensing in the state.

South Carolina Real Estate Exam Quick Facts

Requirements Before Taking the Exam

Education Requirements

Pre-License Course Content (90 Hours Total)

Unit I - Real Estate Principles and Practices (60 Hours):

1. Real estate law fundamentals
2. Property ownership and interests
3. Agency relationships
4. Contracts and disclosures
5. Financing principles

Unit II - Advanced Real Estate Principles (30 Hours):

1. Advanced ethics and fair housing
2. Agency disclosure requirements
3. Practical real estate applications
4. South Carolina-specific regulations
5. Transaction management

Application Process

1. Complete 60-hour Unit I pre-license course
2. Apply to SCREC for exam eligibility
3. Receive eligibility notification (valid for 1 year)
4. Register with PSI within 48 hours of approval
5. Schedule and take the exam
6. Complete 30-hour Unit II before license activation
7. Submit license application with fees

South Carolina Exam Format

The exam consists of two separately-timed portions that must each be passed with a score of at least 70%.

Content Breakdown

National Portion Topics (80 Questions)

State Portion Topics (40 Questions)

South Carolina-Specific Topics

Agency Disclosure Requirements

South Carolina requires specific written disclosure of agency relationships:

• Seller's Agent - Represents seller's interests exclusively
• Buyer's Agent - Represents buyer's interests exclusively
• Dual Agent - Represents both parties with written consent
• Transaction Broker - Facilitates transaction without representation

SC Trust Account Rules

South Carolina Landlord-Tenant Law

Key provisions tested on the exam:

• Security deposit limits (no state maximum, but must be returned within 30 days)
• Notice requirements for lease termination
• Landlord's right of entry requirements
• Tenant remedies for habitability issues
• Eviction procedures and timelines

Coastal Zone Management

South Carolina's beachfront properties are regulated by:

• OCRM (Ocean and Coastal Resource Management)
• Setback line requirements
• Building restrictions in critical areas
• Beach preservation regulations

South Carolina Exam Pass Rate

The South Carolina real estate exam has a first-time pass rate of approximately 50-60%. Factors affecting difficulty:

Study Strategy

Recommended Study Time

After completing the 60-hour Unit I pre-license course.

Study Priority by Weight

1. National Portion (80 questions)

   • Property ownership and land use
   • Financing and valuation
   • Agency and contracts

2. State Portion (40 questions)

   • SC license law
   • Agency disclosure
   • Trust accounts

Key Math Formulas

Commission Calculations:

$\text{Commission} = \text{Sales Price} \times \text{Rate}$

$\text{Agent Share} = \text{Commission} \times \text{Split \%}$

Prorations:

$\text{Daily Rate} = \frac{\text{Annual Amount}}{365}$

$\text{Proration} = \text{Daily Rate} \times \text{Days}$

Property Tax:

$\text{Tax} = \text{Assessed Value} \times \text{Tax Rate}$

Loan-to-Value:

$\text{LTV} = \frac{\text{Loan Amount}}{\text{Property Value}}$

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating State-Specific Content

Many candidates focus too heavily on national content but miss South Carolina-specific:

• SCREC disciplinary procedures
• SC agency disclosure requirements
• Coastal zone regulations
• Trust account rules

2. Weak Math Skills

Math questions are heavily tested. Practice daily:

• Commission calculations
• Prorations (taxes, rent)
• Area calculations
• Loan qualifying ratios

3. Confusing Agency Types

Know the differences between South Carolina's agency relationships:

• Seller's Agent: Full fiduciary duties to seller
• Buyer's Agent: Full fiduciary duties to buyer
• Dual Agent: Limited duties to both with consent
• Transaction Broker: Neutral facilitation

4. Poor Time Management

• 120 questions in 200 minutes = 1.67 minutes per question
• Don't spend too long on difficult questions
• Flag and return to challenging questions later

Exam Day Tips

Before the Exam

• Get good rest the night before
• Eat a balanced meal
• Arrive 30 minutes early
• Bring two forms of ID (one government-issued with photo)

During the Exam

• Read every question completely
• Watch for "EXCEPT" and "NOT" questions
• Show your math work on scratch paper
• Trust your first instinct on uncertain answers
• Use all available time to review

What to Bring

• Two forms of ID (one government-issued with photo)
• Confirmation of exam appointment
• Nothing else - personal items stored in locker

After Passing

Immediate Steps

1. Receive results on screen at testing center
2. Complete Unit II 30-hour course if not already done
3. Submit license application to SCREC
4. Pay license fees ($25 application fee)
5. Associate with a broker (required to practice)
6. Obtain E&O insurance (required in SC)

License Activation Requirements

Continuing Education Requirements

License Renewal

South Carolina Real Estate Career Outlook

Salary Expectations

Hot South Carolina Markets (2026)

• Charleston - Historic charm, tourism, luxury market
• Myrtle Beach - Vacation rentals, retirement community
• Greenville - Corporate relocations, growing economy
• Columbia - State capital, university town
• Hilton Head - Resort properties, golf communities
• Rock Hill - Charlotte suburb growth

Resources

• SC LLR/SCREC - Official licensing information
• PSI Exams - Exam scheduling
• SC REALTORS - Industry association
• OpenExamPrep - Free study materials and practice tests