ANSWERS
A: As a non-licensee in South Carolina, you would be required to take a 60-hour Pre-license class from a state licensed real estate school, which will qualify you to take the state licensing examination.
A: A college degree currently is not required; however, you must have a high school diploma or a GED; Also, you must be eighteen years old and show creditworthiness satisfactory to the real estate commission.
A: Yes. You must affiliate with a Broker-in-Charge before you can begin doing any real estate business.
A: Yes. Your first license is provisional. Prior to the end of your first year of licensure you must complete a 30-hour Post License class to earn your permanent license. Your permanent license is renewed every two years by completing 8 hours of continuing education and paying a renewal fee.
A: You don't need a license as long as you are selling property that you personally own. However, South Carolina law requires anyone who performs real estate services for a fee (or with even the expectation of receiving "something of value" for those services) to hold a valid state-issued real estate license. Real estate services as defined by the law consist of any of the following:
**Negotiating a listing, sale, purchase, exchange, or lease of real estate;
**Auctions of real estate;
**Soliciting a referral for a real estate transaction;
**Offering to act as an agent in a real estate transaction;
**Offering advisory services regarding real estate;
**Advertising as being engaged in the real estate business.
A: Penalties may be fines (up to $500), imprisonment (up to 6 months), or both.
A: Maybe, maybe not. If you have a current real estate license in North Carolina, Georgia, or Kentucky, you may apply for a South Carolina real estate license by reciprocity. If you are transferring an active license from any other state you will be required to take the state law portion of the exam but will be exempted from the general real estate portion. You will need to provide the South Carolina Real Estate Commission with a 'History of Licensure' from your home state.