Reviewed by Casa Academy on August 2, 2026.
South Dakota licenses broker associates through the South Dakota Real Estate Commission (SDREC). PSI administers one computer-based Broker Associate appointment: 90 national and 52 South Dakota state scored multiple-choice items in 270 minutes when both portions are taken together (150 + 120), with independent 75% cuts on each portion (about 68/90 National before weighted scoring and 39/52 State). SDREC lists a $105 PSI examination fee at registration (older bulletin copies may still show $98); confirm the live fee before you schedule.
National practice for $79, or starter for $49 (30 days). State-specific exam prep is not available for this jurisdiction yet.
National
$79
12 months of practice for the PSI exam
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Starter
$49
30 days of practice for the PSI exam
What's included:
7-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee.
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South Dakota Broker Associate candidates take a National portion and a South Dakota State portion during one computer-based appointment administered by PSI. The National portion includes 90 scored multiple-choice questions with 150 minutes allotted. Some National items are scenario-based with weighted scoring up to two points per question, so PSI reports the National block as 100 points rather than a simple 90-question count. The South Dakota State portion includes 52 scored multiple-choice questions with 120 minutes allotted (270 minutes total). About five to ten experimental items may appear on each portion but do not count toward your score. PSI reports pass or fail for each portion independently. You must achieve at least 75% on the National portion and at least 75% on the State portion. A strong National performance cannot offset a failing South Dakota-law result.
PSI publishes National Broker and South Dakota State content outlines in the Candidate Information Bulletin. The State portion emphasizes SD Codified Laws Chapter 36-21A and SDREC rules rather than generic national summaries. Individual test forms may vary slightly within each category.
License exams test how South Dakota statutes, commission rules, and candidate bulletins interact. Use the Statutes and regulations links on this page for primary sources, then confirm live fees and outlines with the regulator before you schedule.
First-time South Dakota candidates apply for a Broker Associate license after passing both exam portions. Review the current SDREC exam information page and PSI bulletin before applying because fees and forms can change.
Because South Dakota uses a 75% threshold on both portions independently, build separate study blocks for the 52-item state outline (especially Chapter 36-21A licensing statutes, SDREC commission duties, trust accounting, and agency disclosure rules) and the 90-item National Broker principles block with scenario-based practice. If you pass one portion but fail the other, schedule a retake of only the failed portion before your one-year examination fee validity expires. PSI does not allow same-day retakes; you may schedule the next attempt as early as the day after your failed appointment depending on seat availability. When you want interactive reps today, use Casa Academy's free practice tool using the embedded practice diagnostic.
Study these official statute, rule, and regulator sources for this jurisdiction. Confirm current text before exam day.
You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or South Dakota resident, and competent to safeguard the public. Complete 116 classroom hours in an SDREC-approved pre-licensing course and apply for your Broker Associate license within two years of finishing those courses. Pass both PSI exam portions with at least 75% on each, pay the PSI examination fee shown at scheduling (SDREC lists $105 as of 2026-08-01), and submit your SDREC license application within 60 days of passing the last required portion. Affiliation with a South Dakota licensed broker is required after SDREC approves your application.
Difficulty depends on preparation, but the split format adds planning pressure. You must score at least 75% on both the 90-question National portion and the 52-question State portion independently. National items include scenario-based questions with weighted scoring up to two points, which can make the National block feel harder than a flat multiple-choice exam. Candidates who under-prepare for Chapter 36-21A licensing statutes, SDREC commission rules, trust accounting, and agency disclosure duties often pass the National block but fail the State portion.
Under the current 75% passing standard, you need at least 68 correct answers on the 90-question National portion (up to 22 wrong before weighted scoring adjustments) and at least 39 correct on the 52-question State portion (up to 13 wrong). Portions are scored independently, so meeting one threshold does not offset a failing score on the other. PSI reports the National block as 100 points because some scenario items award up to two points; confirm your practice test report if you fail the National portion.
PSI allows retests of only the failed portion when you pass one section and fail the other. You must complete your examination within one year of paying the PSI examination fee or the fee is forfeited. PSI does not allow same-day retakes; you may schedule the next attempt as early as the day after a failed appointment depending on seat availability. After passing the last required portion, you have 60 days to file your SDREC license application or your passing score is forfeited.
The PSI appointment covers 142 scored items plus experimental questions. The National portion follows PSI's National Broker outline (ownership, valuation, financing, contracts, agency, disclosures, property management, title transfer, practice, and calculations) with some weighted scenario-based items. The State portion emphasizes SDREC commission duties and powers (4 items), South Dakota licensing requirements (6 items), and statutory requirements governing licensee activities (42 items) under SD Codified Laws Chapter 36-21A per the Candidate Information Bulletin.
Not yet. Casa does not currently offer a South Dakota-specific question bank. The free practice test and paid plans plans on this page use national exam prep questions only. National practice covers the shared general portion and does not cover the South Dakota state-law section. Use the official citations above for South Dakota law topics while you wait for a state product.
SDREC currently lists a $105 credit-card payment at PSI registration for the Broker Associate exam (combined National and State or a single failed portion retake) at test-takers.psiexams.com/sdre; older PSI bulletin PDFs may still show $98, so confirm the live amount before paying. SDREC license application fees, pre-licensing course tuition, and any background screening costs are separate and paid to SDREC or your education provider. Confirm current amounts on dlr.sd.gov/realestate and in the PSI bulletin before submitting payment because fee schedules can change.
Casa Academy helps students prepare to pass real estate licensing exams for South Dakota and other states. We build practice tests, study plans, and exam prep for national and state exams — with clear disclosures when a state product is not yet available.
If official requirements or exam scheduling guidance change, this page should change too. The current review date for this version is August 2, 2026.