South Dakota Real Estate Agent License
Complete requirements guide for South Dakota
Pre-Licensing Education
Complete a minimum of 116 hours of pre-licensing education approved by the South Dakota Real Estate Commission per SDCL 36-21A-30.1.
Required Courses (116 hours total):
- • 116-hour SDREC-approved pre-licensing course
State Examination
Exam Name
South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate Examination
Provider
PSI
Format
National: 90 items (100 points), 150 minutes; State: 52 items, 120 minutes; plus 5-10 unscored items
Passing Score
75% on each portion (National and State)
Exam Fee
$105
Retake Policy: Retake only the failed portion, $105 per portion; cannot rebook the same day.
Background Check
Type: State (DCI) and FBI fingerprint check, by fingerprint cards or South Dakota Livescan
Cost: $50
Sponsoring Broker
Must affiliate with a licensed South Dakota broker
Fee Breakdown
| Examination Fee | $105 |
| Application Fee | $225 |
| Fingerprinting | $50 |
| Listed Fees | $380 |
Listed fees: $225 application + $105 PSI exam + $50 fingerprinting = $380. E&O insurance (group policy) is required but its premium is not an official fee, so it is excluded. Apply within 60 days of passing the exam.
License Renewal
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Renewal Fee
$125
CE Required
24 hours
Online Renewal
Yes
For the first two licensing periods after initial licensure, new Broker Associates must complete 60 hours total (30 hours each period). Regular CE is 24 hours per 2-year cycle.
License Reciprocity
South Dakota uses statutory recognition rather than bilateral agreements: holders of an active license from another state who passed that state's exam take only the South Dakota state portion, and education is waived with a certificate of licensure (SDCL 36-21A-43).
South Dakota Real Estate Commission
- Official Website
- (605) 773-3600
- Apply Online
Helpful Tools
Compare South Dakota
Upgrade to Broker
Requires 2 years of active experience as a licensed salesperson or broker associate and the 24-hour Responsible Broker course; no new exam (SDCL 36-21A-31)
- • 2 years experience required
- • 24 additional education hours
Last verified: 2026-01-12