Best Real Estate Courses & Schools in South Dakota (2026)

2026 Guide · Updated Regularly

Best Real Estate Schools in South Dakota

Compare South Dakota’s top pre-licensing and continuing education providers — by format, focus, and value — so you can pick the right one whether you’re getting licensed or renewing.

KL Reviewed by Kerry Lucasse, 20-year real estate industry veteran · Updated for 2026
Compare Schools → See Licensing Steps

South Dakota at a Glance

Everything you need before you enroll

Pre-license hours required116 hrs
Entry-level titleBroker Associate
Passing score required75% (both sections)
Time to complete3–5 mos
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How We Choose What to Recommend

We only recommend courses and providers we believe are genuinely valuable and well-regarded — based on independent research into their curriculum, format, and student support, not on which schools pay us the most. Building Better Agents may earn a commission when you enroll through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. You can read our full Affiliate & Editorial Disclosure for more detail.

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A Genuine South Dakota Quirk

South Dakota’s 116-hour requirement splits into two pieces: 100 hours of national content you can complete online, plus 16 hours of South Dakota-specific content that must be done in a live classroom — no exceptions for self-paced delivery on that portion. That’s why several national platforms below only cover the national piece; you’ll need a second, local provider for the mandatory live hours unless your school offers both.

Quick Snapshot

All South Dakota Schools at a Glance

Jump to any school below for the full breakdown.

SchoolBest ForKey Takeaway
The CE ShopNational portion onlyCovers the 100-hr online piece; pair with a local live provider.
South Dakota School of Real EstateLocal, covers both required piecesSioux Falls-based, handles the online AND live 16-hr portion.

South Dakota’s Top Real Estate Schools, Reviewed

Our picks, based on curriculum quality, flexibility, and student outcomes — updated for 2026.

South Dakota local Online + Live Classroom (Both Portions)

South Dakota School of Real Estate

✓ Prelicensing (full 116 hrs) — Continuing Ed — Exam Prep

A small, independently run Sioux Falls school that genuinely covers South Dakota’s entire 116-hour requirement in one place: 100 hours online through a partner platform, plus the mandatory 16 hours of live in-classroom instruction on South Dakota law. That combination is the real advantage here — no juggling two separate providers to meet the state’s rules.

Best for local, covers both required pieces
$$$$ budget
See current pricing →
  • Covers the full 116-hr requirement: 100 hrs online + 16 hrs live classroom
  • Sioux Falls-based, small independent operation
  • Live classroom sessions specifically cover South Dakota real estate law
  • One provider for the entire pre-licensing requirement
Where it could improveNo confirmed continuing education or standalone exam prep offering — you’ll likely need a second provider once it’s time to renew.
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New to all this? If terms like “self-paced,” “hybrid,” or “livestream” are throwing you off, we’ve put together a quick glossary to clear things up.

South Dakota Real Estate Courses: Understanding the Format Options

South Dakota’s live-instruction requirement makes the “self-paced vs. livestream vs. hybrid” question especially relevant here, since not every course structure will satisfy the state’s rules the same way. We break down what to check before enrolling: What to Look for When Choosing a Real Estate Course →

Curious whether a standalone exam prep tool is worth adding on top of your South Dakota coursework? We walk through when it genuinely helps and when it’s an unnecessary expense: Is Real Estate Exam Prep Worth It? →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many pre-licensing education hours does South Dakota require, and why does part have to be live?

South Dakota requires 116 hours total: 100 hours of national content you can complete online, plus 16 hours of South Dakota-specific content that must be done in a live classroom setting — no exceptions for self-paced delivery on that portion.

How long does it typically take to complete a pre-licensing course in South Dakota?

Studying the online portion at your own pace and scheduling the live classroom hours, most students finish the 116-hour requirement in 8 to 12 weeks. Add time for the exam, background check, and finding a sponsoring broker, and most people are licensed within 3 to 5 months total.

How difficult is the South Dakota real estate exam?

South Dakota’s exam runs tougher than the national norm — you’ll need 75% on each portion, compared to the 70% most states require. The exam has 142 scored questions (90 national, 52 state-specific) with 4.5 hours to complete both, and first-time pass rates run around 65%.

What if I fail the real estate exam in South Dakota?

Needing a second attempt is genuinely common given the 75% bar on each section. You’ll need to reschedule and pay again for whichever portion you didn’t pass, and failing doesn’t count against you as a rejection or revocation, so it won’t affect your ability to reapply.

Why is South Dakota’s entry-level license called “Broker Associate” instead of “Salesperson”?

It’s a naming convention specific to South Dakota’s statutes. “Broker Associate” refers to the entry-level role most other states call a salesperson or agent. The more advanced, supervisory license here is called “Responsible Broker” instead — the terminology genuinely doesn’t map one-to-one with other states.

What’s the passing score on the South Dakota real estate exam?

75% on both the national and state-specific portions independently.

Do I have to be a South Dakota resident to get licensed?

Yes — South Dakota residency is required for the standard Broker Associate license, a real point of difference from neighboring North Dakota, which has no residency requirement. If you’re licensed elsewhere and relocating, you may qualify for an equivalency pathway using a certificate of licensure rather than starting over.

Are there any free practice tests I can take?

Most South Dakota-approved pre-licensing courses include practice exams as part of the coursework. For additional free practice questions, check YouTube for study walkthroughs, or ask your course provider whether sample questions are available before purchasing standalone exam prep.

What are some tricks to pass the South Dakota real estate exam?

Take as many practice exams as you can — repetition is what turns recognition into recall. Since the state-specific portion draws heavily on your 16-hour live classroom content, treat those in-person sessions as genuinely essential study time rather than a formality.


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