Your Journey to Becoming a Real Estate Agent Starts Here.

From mastering the fundamentals to acing your exam, we provide the guidance and resources you need to build a strong foundation for your real estate career.

Getting Your License Starts with Mindset.

  • Commit to It.

    The first step is to process through your options and commit to this adventure. Are you ready for a change of focus, knowledge, schedule, and more?

    This really is a lifestyle change for most people and it is important for you and those closest people in your life to be ready for and committed to that change.

Now it’s Time to Hit the Books

  • Pre-License Class

    We’ll work to provide the knowledge you need. South Dakota requires 116 hours of pre-license education.

    We offer all of that in a single package that combines home-study and 40 hours of live classroom time.

  • Test Preparation

    Depending on your learning style and comfort with testing, you’ll want to take some time to prepare for your exams.

    You can do test prep independently, or we can work through it together with additional Pre-License Tutoring.

  • State Exams

    South Dakota’s real estate license exam is made up of two parts: National Knowledge and SD State Law.

    You will take the two parts in one sitting. If you pass one but not the other, you can retake the failed portion on its own.

What Comes After Exams?

  • Choose a Brokerage

    As a new licensee, you will be working under a responsible broker for at least two years.

    Your company should continue to prepare you for the daily work of an agent.

  • Apply for Your License

    Once you’ve passed the state exam, you need to apply for your license and have your broker sign your application.

    If you aren't quite ready to go active yet, you can still apply for your license and put it on inactive status.

  • Join the Association

    Depending on which company you work with, you will likey be joining a REALTOR® Association.

    There are local, state, and national associations and you will by default be a member of all three.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our core pre-license class currently costs $1000.

    Below costs are current as of December 2025.

    Each attempt at your state exam will cost $105.

    Once you pass the exam, your license application includes an application fee of $225 and a criminal background check fee of $43.50.

    You will need E&O insurance (What’s E&O Insurance?) The current cost through the South Dakota Real Estate Commission is $187. Check with your brokerage to see if they offer an office group E&O policy.

    If your brokerage is a member of a REALTOR® association, you will have to pay to be a member too. Your brokerage will guide you through this process and the fees.

  • Your pre-license education will take 116 hours at minimum. The home study portion of the course is done at your own speed so you can take anywhere from a week to 6 months. Then the 40 hours of live class are typically completed within a week and are offered monthly.

    Next you’ll prepare for the exam, which can take a few days to several weeks.

    If you pass your exam on the first time, your application and background check process can take up to four weeks before you receive your license.

  • Officially, yes. However, your own learning style may require more studying.

    Following the Cognitive Learning Theory, learning is a process that includes three parts. Especially in the live classes, we focus on comprehension (seeing it within the bigger picture) and application (how that information is used).

    The third part is memory (recalling a specific fact). This is something that we do work on with repetition and review, but can often take more studying outside of class time. Depending on how fast you memorize things, your preparation requirements will vary.

  • According to SD state law, you need to work under a responsible broker for at least two years.

    After meeting the two-year requirement and taking a broker-specific course, you can then open your own real estate company.

    There is an exception available if you apply to and are turned down by at least three brokerages in your area, but this is uncommon.

    Make sure you’re getting value from your chosen brokerage. See what your broker offers for supervision, training, mentoring, office services, and more.

  • While the real estate market fluctuates, many agents continue to make a good living through the highs and lows.

    As a real estate agent, your income largely depends on your skill and effort. The more work you put into your business, the more likely you will succeed in the industry.

  • We know you have options. Here are a few reasons we think we are a great option:

    • We partner with Dearborn Publishing, provider of the best real estate curriculum.

    • Our hybrid model allows for flexible scheduling and a variety of learning styles.

    • As a licensed, active real estate broker and national instructor, Breck brings relevance and applicability to the conversation at a level unmatched by other schools.

    • Being an independent school, you have no obligation after completing the course and are free to build your business however and wherever you choose.