Getting your South Dakota real estate license might seem daunting, but we’re here to guide you through the process.
Read on to learn about the 7 steps you’ll need to complete before starting your career in South Dakota real estate. To learn about how much it costs to get your real estate license, visit our South Dakota Pre-Licensing pricing page.
To start, you must:
Be at least 18 years of age
Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States
You must successfully complete an approved 116-Hr. Pre-Licensing course, which can be completed online. Learn more about your package options here.
After you complete all course materials, meet the minimum time requirement, and pass the practice exam, there is a course final exam. To pass, you must get at least an 80% on the course final exam.
The South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate licensing exam is administered by PSI, and you can schedule the exam right from their website. See this exam information for more details about the test.
In the meantime, here are a few pieces of info to help you prepare:
The test consists of 142 questions.
The passing score for the South Dakota Real Estate Broker Associate Exam is 75%.
You will have 4.5 hours to complete the exam.
Do you need help passing your South Dakota real estate exam? Reduce test anxiety and increase your odds of passing by checking out The CE Shop’s comprehensive Exam Prep Edge tailored to South Dakota. If you have any additional questions, visit our South Dakota real estate exam FAQ page.
To apply for licensure, you must complete a state and federal criminal background check. You can do this by submitting a physical fingerprint card or using the Livescan process.
If you choose to submit a physical fingerprint card, you can request a set by contacting the South Dakota Real Estate Commission. For best results, have your fingerprints taken at a law enforcement agency or fingerprinting office. Return the completed cards to the Real Estate Commission with your application and a separate check for $50 payable to DCI. Be sure to sign and date the back of the DCI fingerprint card so it is not returned to you, which could delay your application.
If you choose Livescan, you must first set up an account with the Office of the Attorney General. You will pay for the background check before being fingerprinted. After payment, you will receive a receipt or confirmation page to bring to a local Livescan agency, where your fingerprints will be taken and submitted electronically to DCI (AFIS). We recommend contacting a Livescan agency in your area in advance to confirm availability and service details. This option is available only to South Dakota residents.
Please note that to use the Livescan option, you must first submit your signed application and supporting documentation to the South Dakota Real Estate Commission. You may proceed with your Livescan background check only after the Commission confirms that it has received your application. If you complete Livescan before receiving that confirmation, you will need to resubmit your background check and pay the $50 DCI fee again.
You must submit your application after completing your 116 required hours of education and passing your licensing exam. Your application will only be accepted if it is fully completed, includes the appropriate license fee, and shows evidence of completing the fingerprinting process.
You have 60 days from the date of the exam report to file a license application. The exam score for any application received after the 60 days is void. Please allow 2 to 4 weeks to process your application.
You must have an Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance policy in place before obtaining an active license. For more information, click here.
After passing your licensing exam, you must become associated with a current and active sponsoring broker. This broker will be a career and education mentor providing you with an inside view into the day-to-day operations of a real estate agent.
Here are some questions to consider when searching for the right broker:
What is their reputation, both locally and nationally?
What kind of real estate agents are they looking for?
Are they technologically advanced and up-to-date with the latest systems?
How do they support their agents with education and training?
What kind of commission structure do they offer?
Do they offer benefits?
Do they provide their agents with leads and marketing material?
Is there room to grow with the brokerage?
