How to get a South Dakota real estate license
South Dakota real estate salesperson exam requirements: hours, vendor, national vs state portions, and how to prepare for the licensing exam — from the official commission.
- Salesperson hours
- 116
- Broker requirement
- Responsible Broker: 116 hours pre-license education plus a 24-hour Responsible Broker course, and 2 years actively licensed as a salesperson/broker associate (or combination)
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Exam structure
- National portion 90 questions/150 minutes + South Dakota state portion 52 questions/120 minutes, scored separately
- Passing
- 75% (scaled score) on each portion separately
Some South Dakota details were ambiguous on the official site when we researched this (July 2026) — double-check specifics with the commission before you rely on them.
Preparing for the South Dakota exam
PrepTempo's Salesperson and Broker courses cover the national portion — property, contracts, financing, agency, and practice — which is the same in South Dakota and the larger share of the exam. Study your South Dakota state-law portion from the commission on top of the core.
South Dakota real estate license FAQ
How many hours are required for a South Dakota real estate license?
116
What does the South Dakota real estate salesperson exam cover?
National portion 90 questions/150 minutes + South Dakota state portion 52 questions/120 minutes, scored separately
How do I become a realtor in South Dakota?
Complete required pre-license education (116), pass the licensing exam (PSI; National portion 90 questions/150 minutes + South Dakota state portion 52 questions/120 minutes, scored separately), meet any broker affiliation rules, and apply through the South Dakota real estate commission. PrepTempo covers the national exam portion with free sample questions and free Chapter 1.
Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; confirm with the South Dakota real-estate commission. PrepTempo is not affiliated with any state commission or exam vendor.