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State Cert Guide

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How many continuing education hours do I need to renew my South Carolina real estate license?

Unless an exemption or waiver applies, a broker or associate renewing an active South Carolina license completes ten hours of continuing education (CE) every two years, at least four in mandated topics. For a broker-in-charge, four hours must be in advanced topics for brokers-in-charge. An inactive license is exempt, and so is an associate who completes a post-licensing course, for that period.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
Ten hours of continuing education every two years, four in mandated topicsActive renewal also requires a criminal background check at every third renewal.
Verified. www.scstatehouse.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Valid for
A license renews every two years, in even-numbered or odd-numbered yearsYour renewal date coincides with your continuing education deadline.
Same source and date as above
Who needs it
Exempt: an associate who completes a post-licensing course, for that renewal periodOthers are exempt too, among them a licensee on inactive status.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check whether you're exempt. An associate who completes a post-licensing course or takes a broker course is exempt for the renewal period in which the course was taken. A licensee on inactive status is exempt too, and some long-time licensees and nonresidents may get a waiver or an exemption. If none of that applies, a broker or associate takes the ten hours every two years.

  2. Step 2. Choose courses that cover your mandated topics. At least four of your ten hours must be instruction in mandated topics. For a broker-in-charge, the ten hours are in courses the commission approves, and four hours must be in advanced real estate topics designed for brokers-in-charge. Ask the provider whether the course counts before you pay.

  3. Step 3. Finish the ten hours before your renewal date. A license renews every two years, in even-numbered or odd-numbered years depending on the licensee, and the renewal coincides with your continuing education deadline.

  4. Step 4. Renew on time. If you haven't finished the hours by the renewal date, you may still renew by paying the applicable fees, but your license immediately goes on inactive status. It can be reactivated once you show proof of the required hours and pay the applicable fees.

Before you pay

This page rests on South Carolina's renewal statute alone. We haven't confirmed the list of mandated topics, the commission's list of approved courses, a course price, or whether an online course counts.

Before you pay, ask the provider whether the course counts toward your mandated topics.

Questions

Can extra hours carry over?

Some can. A broker or associate who takes more than the required number of hours during a two-year period may carry forward up to four hours of elective courses to another renewal period.

Is there a partial waiver for long-time licensees?

Yes. A broker or associate with a minimum of twenty-five years of licensure in South Carolina may apply for an experience-based partial waiver. Once it is granted, they complete only a mandatory four-hour core course every two years to keep the license active. A broker-in-charge with a partial waiver also takes the mandated four-hour broker-in-charge course every two years.

Can a long-time licensee skip CE entirely?

A broker or associate with twenty-five years or more of licensure in South Carolina who is sixty-five or older may apply for an age and experience-based full waiver. If it is granted, they're exempt from the continuing education requirements.

Can a nonresident licensee skip South Carolina CE?

A nonresident broker or associate who has satisfied the continuing education requirements of their state of residence may be exempt, with the commission's approval.

What to do next

Start with the South Carolina renewal statute. Then look for the commission's own pages on CE.

www.scstatehouse.gov

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