Real estate license requirements in South Dakota
South Dakota has no salesperson tier — “Broker Associate” is the entry-level license — and requires 116 classroom hours before the exam, more than most neighboring states.
Education
South Dakota requires a minimum of 116 classroom hours before you’re eligible to sit for the exam — there’s no course-by-course breakdown published in the source we verified, but the structure of South Dakota’s licensing path is itself worth laying out.
| Milestone | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | 116 classroom hours minimum | No salesperson tier — this is entry-level education |
| Broker Associate license | Pass the PSI exam, submit application | South Dakota’s entry-level license title |
| Post-licensing, Period 1 | 30 hours | Due during your first license cycle |
| Post-licensing, Period 2 | 30 hours | Due during your second license cycle |
What South Dakota calls your first license
South Dakota is one of the handful of states with no salesperson tier at all: your entry-level license is called “Broker Associate.” There’s no separate, lower-tier “salesperson” license to start with — Broker Associate is where everyone begins, working under a supervising broker.
The licensing exam
South Dakota contracts with PSI. The national portion has 90 items (100 points, 150 minutes, 75% to pass) and the state portion has 52 items (52 points, 120 minutes, 75% to pass). One detail worth flagging: the PSI candidate bulletin literally lists $98 as the fee whether you’re sitting for a single portion or the combined exam — an unusual structure, but that’s what’s published.
| Portion | Items | Time | To pass | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National | 90 (100 pts) | 150 min | 75% | $98 |
| South Dakota state law | 52 (52 pts) | 120 min | 75% | $98 |
PSI's South Dakota bulletin lists $98 as the fee for a single exam portion and for the combined sitting alike. Since there's no cost advantage to splitting the two portions across separate visits, most candidates are better off sitting for both at once if they're ready.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $225 | SD Real Estate Commission (Broker Associate application) |
| Exam fee | $98 | PSI |
| Background check | ~$50 | SD DCI + FBI fingerprint cards (effective Oct 1, 2025 per aggregated Commission content, not directly re-confirmed live) |
| Renewal (for reference) | $125 / 2 yrs | SD Real Estate Commission |
The ~$50 background-check figure reflects a fee change effective October 1, 2025, sourced from aggregated South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation content rather than a direct live fetch this session — an older $43.25 figure appears to be superseded. Confirm the current amount with the Commission before you pay.
How to apply, step by step
South Dakota’s path runs straight from pre-licensing hours to a Broker Associate license, with no intermediate salesperson step.
The state minimum for pre-licensing education.
National and South Dakota state-law portions, 75% to pass each.
Budget roughly $50, though the exact current fee should be confirmed with the Commission.
Along with the $225 application fee.
To activate your Broker Associate license.
30 hours in Period 1, 30 more in Period 2 — 60 hours total, distinct from ongoing CE.
After you’re licensed: staying current
South Dakota’s post-licensing requirement is distinct from its ongoing continuing education: 60 total hours spread across your first two license cycles.
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| Period 1 | 30 |
| Period 2 | 30 |
| Total | 60 |
Reciprocity
South Dakota doesn’t offer a formal reciprocity list. Non-residents can skip South Dakota’s pre-licensing coursework, but must still pass the South Dakota state exam portion and submit their license history — and there’s a conditional rule that applies if your home state doesn’t extend South Dakota full reciprocity in return, so confirm your specific situation with the Commission.
Common questions
Does South Dakota have a salesperson license?
No — “Broker Associate” is the entry-level license. There’s no separate, lower salesperson tier the way most states structure it.
Why does the exam fee stay $98 whether I take one portion or both?
That’s how PSI’s South Dakota candidate bulletin publishes it — $98 applies to a single-portion sitting and to the combined national-plus-state sitting alike. It’s an unusual fee structure, but it’s what’s currently published.
How much post-licensing education do I need after I'm licensed?
60 hours total, split across your first two license cycles: 30 hours in Period 1 and 30 more in Period 2. This is separate from South Dakota’s ongoing continuing education requirement.
Can I skip South Dakota's coursework if I'm licensed elsewhere?
You can skip the pre-licensing coursework as a non-resident, but you still need to pass South Dakota’s state exam portion and submit your license history. There’s also a conditional rule if your home state doesn’t grant South Dakota equivalent reciprocity — check with the Commission.
How much should I budget for the background check?
Roughly $50, reflecting a fee change that took effect October 1, 2025 per the Commission’s published content — but this wasn’t independently re-confirmed live this session, so verify the current amount before you schedule your fingerprinting.
Next step
SD Real Estate Commission (Dept. of Labor and Regulation) — https://dlr.sd.gov/realestate/
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