1.3 License Maintenance and Renewal
Key Takeaways
- South Dakota real estate licenses expire on November 30 of even or odd years depending on issue date
- Licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every 2 years
- At least 12 of the 24 CE hours must be in required subject areas (contracts, license law, fair housing, ethics)
- New broker associates must complete 60 hours of post-license education over their first two renewal cycles
- No more than 8 hours of CE may be taken in one day
South Dakota real estate licenses require ongoing maintenance through continuing education and timely renewal.
License Terms and Fees
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| License term | 2 years |
| Expiration date | November 30 (even or odd years based on issue) |
| Renewal fee | Varies by license type |
Continuing Education Requirements
General CE Requirements (24 hours per renewal cycle)
| Category | Hours |
|---|---|
| Required subject areas | 12 hours minimum |
| Elective courses | 12 hours maximum |
| Total | 24 hours |
Required Subject Areas (12 hours from these topics)
Licensees must complete at least 12 hours in any combination of:
- Real Estate Contracts
- Real Estate License Law
- Fair Housing
- Ethics
- Environmental Issues
- Antitrust
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Brokerage Services
CE By License Type
| License Type | CE Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Broker Associate | 24 hours |
| Responsible Broker | 24 hours |
| Property Manager | 24 hours |
| Residential Rental Agent | 12 hours |
Daily Limits
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum CE hours per day | 8 hours |
| Online CE hours limit | No limit |
Important: All CE courses must be approved by the South Dakota Real Estate Commission.
Post-License Education Requirements
New broker associates must complete 60 hours of post-license education over their first two renewal cycles:
Post-License Period 1 (First Renewal)
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Post-license education | 30 hours |
| Topics | Building on pre-license principles and practices |
Post-License Period 2 (Second Renewal)
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Post-license education | 30 hours |
| Topics | Real estate contracts, license law, fair housing, ethics, environmental issues, antitrust, ADA, brokerage services |
Key Point: Post-license education is separate from and in addition to regular continuing education requirements.
Property Manager Post-License
Property managers licensed on or after January 1, 2019 must complete 30 hours of post-license education, all in required course topics.
Renewal Process
- Complete CE before November 30 expiration
- Log into SDREC online portal
- Submit renewal application
- Pay renewal fee
- Receive renewed license
Non-Resident License Holders
Non-resident brokers and salespersons holding a South Dakota license are exempt from CE requirements if:
- The licensee meets the education requirements in their state of residence
- Proof of compliance is provided to SDREC
License Status Types
| Status | Meaning | Can Practice? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Current, affiliated with broker | Yes |
| Inactive | Not affiliated with broker | No |
| Expired | Not renewed | No |
| Suspended | SDREC disciplinary action | No |
| Revoked | License permanently cancelled | No |
How many hours of continuing education are required to renew a South Dakota broker associate license?
How many hours of post-license education must new South Dakota broker associates complete?
What is the maximum number of CE hours that can be taken in one day in South Dakota?