South Dakota Real Estate Agent / Broker Continuing Education Requirements
Requirements Overview
The South Dakota Real Estate Commission requires 24 hours of continuing education per biennial cycle for broker associates and brokers. At least 12 hours must cover required subject areas: Real Estate Contracts, License Law, Fair Housing, Ethics, Environmental Issues, Antitrust, Americans with Disabilities Act, Brokerage Services, and Property Management. No per-topic minimum is specified — the 12 hours can be distributed across these subjects in any proportion. The other 12 hours are electives. A maximum of 8 hours may be completed in a single day.
New broker associates have substantial post-licensing requirements: 60 hours split into two periods of 30 hours each, all in required subject areas. New property managers need 30 post-licensing hours. Residential rental agents have a reduced ongoing requirement of just 12 hours in specific subject areas.
Non-resident licensees are exempt from South Dakota CE if they meet requirements in their home state. Hardship extensions may be granted for health, military service, or other good cause. Course providers are responsible for reporting completion — not the licensee.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Contracts | — | Every renewal | Part of required subject areas. At least 12 of 24 hours must come from required subjects (no per-topic minimum specified). |
| Real Estate License Law | — | Every renewal | Part of required subject areas. |
| Fair Housing | — | Every renewal | Part of required subject areas. |
| Ethics | — | Every renewal | Part of required subject areas. |
| Environmental Issues | — | Every renewal | Part of required subject areas. |
| Antitrust | — | Every renewal | Part of required subject areas. |
| Americans with Disabilities Act | — | Every renewal | Part of required subject areas. |
| Brokerage Services | — | Every renewal | Part of required subject areas. |
| Property Management | — | Every renewal | Part of required subject areas. |
Renewal Pathways
Exemptions
- Inactive License — Inactive licenses do not require CE maintenance.Must complete 24 hours in the two years before reactivationEducation used for reactivation cannot be reused for renewal
- Non-Resident Licensee — Non-resident brokers and salespersons are exempt from SD CE requirements if they meet CE requirements in their state of residence.
- Hardship Extension — The SDREC may grant extensions for CE for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause with proof.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Provider Requirements
Courses must be approved by the SD Real Estate Commission. It is the responsibility of the course provider, not the licensee, to report completion.
Tips for South Dakota Real Estate Agents
- Spread your 12 required-subject hours across multiple topics rather than concentrating on one — the breadth will serve you better in practice and during audits.
- New broker associates should plan early for the 60-hour post-licensing requirement; it is split into two 30-hour blocks, all in required subjects.
- You cannot take more than 8 hours in a single day, so budget at least 3 full days minimum for your 24-hour requirement.
- Your course provider reports completion to the Commission — confirm they have done so rather than assuming it was handled.