South Carolina Real Estate License Lookup: Check Status Before You Rely on a License
Use the South Carolina Real Estate Commission’s official Licensee Lookup to check an associate, broker, broker-in-charge, property manager, property manager-in-charge or real estate office before you hire, sign, refer business, send money or rely on a claimed credential.
A useful lookup goes beyond finding a matching name. Confirm the exact license type, current status, expiration date, supervising office when relevant, and any Commission orders that matter to your decision.
Quick Answer: Use the Official SC Real Estate Commission Licensee Lookup
The official South Carolina real estate license search is maintained by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation for the Real Estate Commission. The search accepts last or office name, first name, license number, city, state abbreviation and license type. You do not need to complete every field.
When you have the license number, use it first. If you only have a person’s name, start with the name and avoid adding unnecessary filters. The Commission’s current renewal guidance specifically tells users checking an expiration date to enter only the license number or name and not city or state information.
The official lookup states that it is updated nightly from the licensing and enforcement database. That makes it a better source for a current decision than an old pocket card, brokerage biography, social profile, MLS page or private directory.
VerificationLicense.org is not SC LLR or the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. Use this guide to understand the process, but use the official state record for the final licensing, hiring, renewal, disciplinary or transaction decision.
What You Can Search in the SC Real Estate License Database
The state lookup supports several search methods. Start with the strongest identifier you have, then add filters only when they help distinguish results.
License number
Use the license number when it is available. It is the cleanest way to reduce confusion between people with similar names.
First and last name
Use the person’s legal or professional name. If the initial search fails, simplify the query instead of adding more filters.
Last or office name
The first field can also search an office name, which helps when you are checking a brokerage-related record rather than only an individual.
City and state abbreviation
These filters can help with common names, but they can also hide a valid result if the database contains a different address than the one you expect.
License type
Use the classification filter when you need to distinguish associates, brokers, in-charge licenses, property-management licenses or other Commission records.
Partial names are accepted
The lookup explains that complete names are not required. A partial first name can help when spelling or initials are uncertain.
How to Check a South Carolina Real Estate License Step by Step
This process works for consumers, brokerages, employers, referral partners and licensees checking their own state record.
Open the Real Estate Commission lookup
Use the SC LLR public Real Estate Commission database. Make sure the page identifies the Real Estate Commission rather than another LLR licensing board.
Search the license number when you have it
An exact number is generally more reliable than a name-only search. If the number is unavailable, use the person’s first and last name or the office name.
Remove optional filters if no result appears
Try a simpler search before concluding that no license exists. Remove city and state filters, check the spelling and try a partial first name when appropriate.
Match the correct person or office
Do not rely on a name alone. Compare the license number, classification and other available record details before treating the result as the person you intended to verify.
Read status and expiration together
Finding a license record does not automatically mean the person can currently practice. Confirm whether the record is active, inactive, lapsed or canceled and review the expiration date.
Check supervision and discipline when relevant
If the person is operating in a supervised role, confirm the expected brokerage or in-charge relationship. For a deeper due-diligence check, search the Commission’s public orders separately.
Save a dated verification record
For a consumer, employer or compliance file, record the source, date checked, legal name, license number, license type, status, expiration and any disciplinary or Commission follow-up.
South Carolina Real Estate License Types You May See
The Real Estate Commission regulates brokers, associates and property managers and also administers related registrations. Current South Carolina law and Commission material use the term Associate rather than the older “salesperson” label for this primary supervised license classification.
| License type | What it represents | What to confirm | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | A supervised real estate licensee operating under South Carolina’s supervisory framework. | Active status, expiration and supervising brokerage. | Assuming older “salesperson” wording means a different profession. |
| Broker | A supervised licensee who has met broker-level experience, education and examination requirements. | Status, expiration and the role the person is actually performing. | Assuming every broker is automatically a broker-in-charge. |
| Broker-in-Charge | The broker designated to have responsibility for supervised licensees and day-to-day brokerage-office compliance. | Active designation and the correct office relationship. | Checking only the firm name without checking the responsible BIC. |
| Property Manager | A supervised licensee operating under South Carolina’s property-management licensing provisions. | Status, expiration and PMIC or BIC supervision when applicable. | Treating an Associate and Property Manager license as identical. |
| Property Manager-in-Charge | The in-charge licensee responsible for supervised licensees and a property-management office. | Active designation and office association. | Verifying the company but not the responsible PMIC. |
| Timeshare / land-sales registration | Separate registrations also administered by the Real Estate Commission. | The exact registration, project or salesperson category involved. | Using a project registration as proof of an individual Associate license. |
REALTOR® refers to trade-association membership. Whether someone has legal South Carolina authority to perform regulated real estate activity is determined through the state licensing record.
Active, Inactive, Lapsed and Canceled SC Real Estate Licenses
Status matters as much as the existence of the license number. South Carolina law distinguishes active authority from inactive, lapsed and canceled records.
| Status | What it means | Practice allowed? | What to do next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active | The state record reflects a license issued for the current period that authorizes practice, subject to classification, supervision and any Commission action. | Generally yes when all other legal and supervisory requirements are satisfied. | Confirm expiration and the expected brokerage or supervisory relationship. |
| Inactive | The license remains on file but the licensee’s authorization to practice has temporarily ceased. | No. Inactive licensees are prohibited from practicing real estate brokerage. | Complete the official reactivation process before licensed activity resumes. |
| Lapsed | The license was not renewed before its expiration date. | No. | Use the reinstatement process within the 24-month reinstatement period. |
| Canceled | The lapsed license was not reinstated within the allowed period and can no longer be renewed or reinstated. | No. | Apply again and satisfy the current requirements for licensure. |
The Commission’s current FAQ explains that a license is active or inactive unless it has become lapsed or canceled. Do not treat an inactive, lapsed or canceled record as active practice authority.
South Carolina Real Estate License Renewal: Current 2026 Status
The Commission’s current Real Estate License Renewal Resource states that 2026 renewals are closed. South Carolina renewal is biennial, and approximately half of licensees renew in even-numbered years while the remainder renew in odd-numbered years.
Unrenewed licenses are lapsed
The current Commission resource says licensees with a June 30, 2026 expiration date have until June 30, 2028 to complete reinstatement before cancellation.
Reinstatement ends June 30, 2027
A lapsed license in this cycle remains within the 24-month reinstatement period until June 30, 2027.
The current resource lists these as canceled
A canceled license cannot simply be renewed or reinstated. The individual must apply for licensure again and meet current requirements.
Do not assume another licensee’s renewal year applies to you. Use the official Licensee Lookup and read the expiration date attached to your individual record.
Current SC Real Estate Renewal Fees and Continuing Education
Renewal cost and continuing-education requirements depend on the license classification and whether the license is active or inactive.
| License type | Renewal fee | Active CE requirement | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | $45 | 10 hours: 4-hour mandatory/core course plus 6 elective hours, unless exempt. | Complete applicable CE before active renewal. |
| Broker | $55 | 10 hours: 4-hour mandatory/core course plus 6 elective hours, unless exempt. | Up to four elective hours may carry forward when statutory conditions are met. |
| Broker-in-Charge | $75 per office | 4-hour core + 4-hour BIC course + 2 elective hours. | The BIC course is separate from the general core requirement. |
| Property Manager | $55 | The current Commission renewal resource says no CE is required. | Status and supervision requirements still apply. |
| Property Manager-in-Charge | $75 per office | The current Commission renewal resource says no CE is required. | Confirm the active office and in-charge designation. |
| Timeshare Salesperson | $50 | The current Commission renewal resource says no CE is required. | Timeshare registration is separate from Associate or Broker licensure. |
CE Broker tracks completed courses
Approved education providers report continuing-education records to CE Broker. The Commission says providers have 14 calendar days to report completed CE.
Contact the course provider first
If a completed course is not appearing in CE Broker, contact the education provider. The Commission says not to send routine completion certificates directly to its office.
Inactive status still must be renewed
Inactive licensees do not need CE merely to remain inactive, but the license still must be renewed by its expiration date. Applicable CE must be satisfied before reactivation.
South Carolina law requires brokers and associates, brokers-in-charge, property managers and property managers-in-charge to complete the statutory criminal-background-check requirement on the designated every-third-renewal cycle. However, the Commission’s current 2026 renewal resource expressly says background checks were not required for this renewal cycle. Follow the Commission notice for the cycle in which your check is actually due.
What to Do if an SC Real Estate License Is Lapsed
A lapsed license is different from an inactive license. Lapse occurs when the license was not renewed before expiration. A licensee may not continue real estate or property-management practice while the record remains lapsed.
Reinstate before cancellation
South Carolina law provides 24 months after expiration for reinstatement. If the license is not reinstated by the last day of the twenty-fourth month, it becomes canceled.
Renewal fee plus $15 per month
The current Commission resource lists the regular renewal fee plus $15 for each month of the reinstatement period for lapsed Associate, Broker, Property Manager, BIC and PMIC licenses.
Complete the current reinstatement application
When CE applies, complete it first, then complete the correct reinstatement application and submit it through Document Submission in the Licensee Portal using the Commission’s instructions.
Wait until active status is restored
The Commission states that licensees may not engage in real estate practice until reinstatement has been processed and an active license has been issued.
How to Reactivate an Inactive South Carolina Real Estate License
Inactive status is different from lapse. An inactive license remains on file and must continue to be renewed, but the licensee may not practice until the Commission processes a valid reactivation.
Complete applicable continuing education
The Commission’s reactivation instructions require proof of continuing education when CE applies to the license classification.
Complete the Reactivation Application
Use the current Commission form and review its submission instructions rather than relying on an older downloaded copy.
Submit the application through the Licensee Portal
Upload the reactivation application, applicable CE proof and reactivation fee through Document Submission in the SC LLR Licensee Portal.
Complete the background-check step if required
The Commission’s current self-service page instructs a reactivating licensee to complete a criminal background check if one has not been completed in 2021 or later.
Allow processing time and re-check the public record
SCREC currently advises allowing 7–10 business days for review of a completed reactivation submission. Do not resume licensed activity until the official state record reflects active authority.
The current self-service page says a completed inactivation application generally should be allowed 3–5 business days for processor review. Inactive licenses remain subject to renewal by their expiration date.
Public License Lookup vs Formal Certification of Licensure
The free public lookup is usually enough for a consumer, employer or routine status check. A licensing board in another jurisdiction may instead require an official license history, certification or verification.
| Need | Correct route | Current fee | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current public status check | SC Real Estate Commission public Licensee Lookup | Public search | Consumer verification, employer checks, status, classification and expiration review. |
| Formal license certification / verification | Licensee Portal verification request | $5 | Another state board, reciprocal application or formal license-history requirement. |
If the receiving board asks for official certification or license verification, SCREC directs licensees to log in to the Licensee Portal, complete the License Verification Request and pay the $5 fee.
How to Check South Carolina Real Estate Discipline and Commission Orders
License status and disciplinary history answer different questions. If discipline is material to your hiring, transaction or compliance decision, check the Commission’s public orders separately from the basic license search.
Search the public enforcement record
Use SCREC’s public Commission Orders system when you need to research published disciplinary orders involving a licensee or company.
Use the formal complaint process
If you believe a violation of South Carolina Real Estate License Law occurred, use the Commission’s complaint procedure and provide relevant supporting material.
Not every dispute is a licensing case
The Commission regulates license-law compliance but does not resolve every private contract, commission, payment, property-condition or other civil dispute.
Application Status Is Not the Same as an Issued Active License
A person may be completing an application, examination, supervision or final issuance step without yet holding active South Carolina practice authority. For a hiring or transaction decision, wait for the official licensing record to show the appropriate issued status.
Application status is a separate question
An application can be in progress even though the applicant does not yet appear as an actively licensed real estate professional.
The correct supervisory relationship matters
South Carolina law requires active supervised licensees to have the appropriate broker-in-charge or property manager-in-charge relationship.
Re-check after issuance or status change
Do not rely only on an exam result, application approval email or submitted form. Re-check the official public license record after processing.
Why Brokerage or Property-Management Supervision Matters
An active-looking credential should make sense in the context of the role being performed. South Carolina defines supervised licensees and places broker, associate and property-manager practice within an in-charge supervisory structure.
Confirm the broker-in-charge relationship
If the person claims to work through a particular real estate brokerage, compare the claim with the state record and any current office information before relying on it.
Check PMIC or BIC supervision
Property managers operate under South Carolina’s property-management supervision rules. Match the actual role with the correct license classification and supervising office.
Do not assume active authority
The Commission’s renewal resource instructs an active supervised licensee without required supervision to complete the appropriate inactivation process before renewal.
SC Real Estate License Lookup Troubleshooting
A missing or confusing result does not always prove that someone was never licensed. Work through the likely causes before drawing a conclusion.
| Problem | Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No result by name | Spelling, former name, alternate name or overly narrow filters. | Try the license number, remove city/state filters and retry with the person’s legal name or a partial first name. |
| Several matching names | Common first or last name. | Compare license number, classification, city and office information before selecting the record. |
| Record is inactive | Voluntary inactivation, no current supervision or another qualifying status change. | Do not treat the person as actively authorized. The licensee must complete reactivation before practice resumes. |
| License expired June 30 | The license was not renewed during the applicable cycle. | Check whether the record is lapsed and use the current reinstatement instructions within the 24-month period. |
| CE is completed but missing | The provider has not yet transmitted the completion record. | Providers have 14 calendar days to report CE to CE Broker. Contact the provider if the course remains missing. |
| Renewal could not be completed online | A personal-history response, CE issue or another renewal exception requires documentation. | Follow the Commission’s document-submission instructions rather than repeatedly submitting the same online renewal. |
| You need an appraiser license | Real-estate appraisal is regulated by a separate South Carolina board. | Use the South Carolina Real Estate Appraisers Board rather than the Real Estate Commission Associate/Broker lookup. |
| You need a mortgage-license record | Mortgage licensing uses a separate regulatory framework. | Use NMLS Consumer Access and the appropriate mortgage regulator instead of the SCREC brokerage-license lookup. |
Contact the South Carolina Real Estate Commission at (803) 896-4400 or Contact.REC@llr.sc.gov. Have the legal name, claimed license number, license classification and the exact status issue ready.
Consumer, Employer and Brokerage Verification Checklist
A useful license check should document more than the fact that a matching name appeared.
- Official source used: South Carolina Real Estate Commission / SC LLR.
- Date the search was completed.
- Full legal name or office name.
- License number.
- License classification.
- Current license status.
- Expiration date.
- Brokerage or supervisory relationship when relevant.
- Commission-order review when discipline matters.
- Any follow-up performed with SCREC.
- Business card.
- MLS or listing profile.
- Social-media biography.
- REALTOR® membership claim.
- Old pocket card.
- Brokerage website profile.
- Private license directory.
- Application approval before final issuance.
- Out-of-state license without South Carolina authority.
Even when a real estate license is valid, independently verify brokerage contact information and payment or wire instructions through a trusted channel. A valid license number does not prove that an email, phone number or payment request is genuine.
South Carolina Real Estate Commission Contact Information
| Contact item | Verified detail | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Commission phone | (803) 896-4400 | License status, licensing workflow and Real Estate Commission questions. |
| Commission email | Contact.REC@llr.sc.gov | Written Commission inquiries and document-submission questions. |
| Physical address | 110 Centerview Dr, Columbia, SC 29210 | SC LLR’s physical office location. Confirm the correct visit or submission process before traveling. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 11847, Columbia, SC 29211-1847 | Use when a specific Real Estate Commission instruction requires mailed material. |
| Fax | (803) 896-4427 | Use only when the current Commission instructions authorize a faxed submission. |
| General LLR office hours | 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | General agency office timing; confirm holidays or closures before traveling. |
Official South Carolina Real Estate License Resources
Use the resource that matches your task so you do not have to search through unrelated boards, private directories or outdated forms.
South Carolina Real Estate License Lookup FAQs
How do I check a South Carolina real estate license?
Use the South Carolina Real Estate Commission Licensee Lookup. Search by license number when available, or search the person’s first and last name. Open the matching record and confirm the license classification, current status, expiration date and relevant office or supervision information.
Can I search an SC real estate license by name?
Yes. The official lookup accepts first name and last or office name, and complete names are not required. If the first search fails, remove unnecessary city or state filters and try a simpler name search.
How current is the South Carolina Real Estate Commission lookup?
The official Licensee Lookup states that it is maintained by LLR staff and updated nightly to reflect licensing and enforcement database changes. If a transaction or status change happened very recently and timing is critical, confirm the issue directly with the Commission.
What does inactive mean on an SC real estate license?
Inactive status means the license exists but the licensee’s authority to practice real estate brokerage is temporarily ceased. Inactive licensees cannot practice real estate brokerage and must reactivate before returning to licensed activity.
What is the difference between a lapsed and canceled South Carolina real estate license?
A license lapses when it is not renewed before expiration. A lapsed license can generally be reinstated within 24 months after expiration. If it is not reinstated by the end of that period, it becomes canceled and the individual must apply for licensure again under current requirements.
How do I know when my South Carolina real estate license expires?
Use the official LLR Licensee Lookup and read the expiration date attached to your record. South Carolina uses biennial renewal cycles with licensees divided between even- and odd-numbered renewal years.
What are the current SC real estate renewal fees?
The current Commission renewal resource lists $45 for an Associate, $55 for a Broker or Property Manager, $75 per office for a Broker-in-Charge or Property Manager-in-Charge, and $50 for a Timeshare Salesperson registration. Reinstatement of a lapsed license also adds the applicable $15-per-month reinstatement amount.
How many continuing education hours do SC real estate licensees need?
Active Associates and Brokers generally need 10 hours per renewal cycle: a 4-hour mandatory/core course and 6 elective hours unless exempt. Active Brokers-in-Charge need a 4-hour core course, a 4-hour BIC course and 2 elective hours. The current renewal resource says Property Managers, PMICs and Timeshare Salespersons do not have a CE requirement.
Is REALTOR membership the same as a South Carolina real estate license?
No. REALTOR® is a trade-association membership term. Authority to perform regulated real estate activity in South Carolina comes from the applicable state real estate license and its current status.
How do I check disciplinary action against an SC real estate licensee?
Use the South Carolina Real Estate Commission’s public Commission Orders search in addition to the basic license lookup. If you need to report an alleged violation of license law, use the Commission’s separate complaint process.
Verify the Full State Record, Not Just the Name
Start with the official SC LLR Real Estate Commission lookup. Use the license number when possible, match the correct license classification, confirm status and expiration, verify supervision when relevant and review public Commission orders when discipline matters. If the status is inactive, lapsed or canceled, do not treat the record as current active authority.