Real Estate Agent Permit Requirements in Columbia, SC

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC, corporation, or have employees. Free from the IRS. Even sole proprietors may benefit from obtaining an EIN to keep business and personal finances separate.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. South Carolina Real Estate Commission — Associate (Salesperson) License

   South Carolina requires real estate associate applicants (the license type LLR formerly called 'salesperson') to complete the required pre-licensing education from an approved school, pass the SC real estate examination, and apply to the SC Real Estate Commission. You must work under a licensed broker-in-charge.

   Official government source

   $25 application fee, plus the exam administration fee paid directly to the vendor ($63 for both portions, $55 for the state portion only), plus a $50 biennial new-license fee for an associate. Renewal is $45 biennially. Pre-licensing course tuition is charged by the private approved school and is not set by the state.·Not published by the Commission. Timing depends on how quickly you complete the approved pre-licensing course and schedule the exam with the testing vendor.

   $25 application fee, plus the exam administration fee paid directly to the vendor ($63 for both portions, $55 for the state portion only), plus a $50 biennial new-license fee for an associate. Renewal is $45 biennially. Pre-licensing course tuition is charged by the private approved school and is not set by the state.

   Not published by the Commission. Timing depends on how quickly you complete the approved pre-licensing course and schedule the exam with the testing vendor.

2. Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance for South Carolina Real Estate Licensees

   South Carolina does not require real estate licensees to carry errors and omissions insurance as a condition of licensure — the SC Real Estate Commission within LLR licenses brokers, brokers-in-charge, salespersons and property managers and imposes no E&O mandate, unlike a handful of other states. In practice most brokerages require their affiliated licensees to carry E&O, either through the firm’s master policy or individually, because it covers claims of negligent acts, errors or omissions in a transaction. Check your brokerage’s independent contractor agreement for the required limits.

   Official government source

   No state fee and no published rate — premiums are set by the carrier from transaction volume, coverage limits and claims history, and neither LLR nor the SC Real Estate Commission publishes premium figures. Many licensees are covered under a brokerage master policy at a per-agent charge set by the firm.·Coverage is bound by your carrier or added to your brokerage’s policy; there is no state application or waiting period.

   No state fee and no published rate — premiums are set by the carrier from transaction volume, coverage limits and claims history, and neither LLR nor the SC Real Estate Commission publishes premium figures. Many licensees are covered under a brokerage master policy at a per-agent charge set by the firm.

   Coverage is bound by your carrier or added to your brokerage’s policy; there is no state application or waiting period.

1. City of Columbia — Business License (if operating a brokerage)

   Individual real estate salespersons working under a broker do not need a separate City of Columbia license. A brokerage opening in Columbia must hold a City of Columbia business license from the Business Licensing Division, with the fee computed from gross income.

   Official government source

   Based on gross income and the NAICS rate class, per the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.) — no flat fee; use the city's business license calculator·License year runs May 1–April 30 (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.), with renewal season opening in February; the city publishes no standard processing time

   Based on gross income and the NAICS rate class, per the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.) — no flat fee; use the city's business license calculator

   License year runs May 1–April 30 (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.), with renewal season opening in February; the city publishes no standard processing time

Official Sources

• City of Columbia Business License
• South Carolina Real Estate Commission

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