Realty Prep

South Dakota real estate exam

Questions, time and passing score for both license levels, quoted from the official handbook.

Last verified
2026-10-16

Read twice, independently, against the handbook text. Source:

Salesperson level

Broker Associate

PSI

The entry license. Holders must work under a licensed broker. South Dakota’s official name for it is “Broker Associate”.SD has no salesperson license for new residents; entry level is Broker Associate (SDCL 36-21A-34.1 makes salespersons upgrade to broker associate). PSI calls this exam 'South Dakota Broker' and the bulletin is titled 'REAL ESTATE BROKER ASSOCIATE EXAMINATION'.

Scored questions
142
90 national + 52 state
Time
4 hr 30 min
150 + 120 min
To pass
75%
correct, on every portion
PortionScoredTo pass
National (General)90100 pts75% correct
South Dakota State5275% correct
  • Some questions are worth up to 2 points, so points and question count differ.
  • Percent of scored questions answered correctly.
How you pass
Each portion is scored and passed on its own. You need to pass every portion.
If you fail
Retake only the portion you failed (within the handbook’s time window).
Show the handbook text behind every number8 quotes
  • Each section · scored questions / points / passing score / time
    “Broker* National 90 (100 points) 75% 150 minutes / State 52 (52 points) 75% 120 minutes ... *National Broker exam includes questions that are scored up to two points.”
    sd-psi-5101.pdf p8 EXAMINATION SUMMARY TABLE (columns # of Items / Passing Score / Time Allowed)
  • South Dakota State · scored questions
    “Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission (4 Items) ... Licensing Requirements (6 Items) ... Statutory Requirements Governing the Activities of Licensees (42 Items)”
    sd-psi-5101.pdf p11 state outline; 4+6+42=52
  • Each section · unscored pretest items
    “In addition to the number of examination items specified in the "Examination Content Outlines", a small number (5 to 10) of "experimental" questions may be administered to candidates during the examinations. These questions will not be scored. However, these questions will count against examination time.”
    sd-psi-5101.pdf p8
  • Passing score (law)
    “20:69:03:07. Passing score on licensing examination. The passing score on the licensing examinations is 75.”
    sd-license_law_book.pdf (ARSD 20:69:03:07, law book 'as of July 1, 2025') https://dlr.sd.gov/realestate/publications/license_law_book.pdf
  • Pass rule
    “5. Pass both the Broker State and National portions of the examination.”
    sd-psi-5101.pdf p2
  • Retake rule
    “The combined broker examination is divided into two (2) portions: general and state. Candidates who pass one (1) portion of the examination and fail the other need to retake only the section they failed.”
    sd-psi-5101.pdf p2 (printed p1)
  • Time (PSI API)
    “South Dakota Broker State durationInMinutes 90; South Dakota Broker National durationInMinutes 150”
    https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/account/sdre/test/HRX6UUJN (fetched 2026-10-16)
  • Official license name
    “Licensing exams for broker associates are available in Madison, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls via computer. The exam is administered by PSI and consists of two total parts – South Dakota state exam and the national exam.”
    https://dlr.sd.gov/realestate/exam_information.aspx (fetched 2026-10-16)

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Broker level

Responsible Broker

The license that can run a brokerage and supervise others. South Dakota’s official name for it is “Responsible Broker”.No separate exam found. SDCL 36-21A-31 requires 2 years active as salesperson/broker associate plus 24 additional class hours; PSI lists no Responsible Broker exam (only 'South Dakota Broker' and Home Inspector). The DLR license-types table lists 'Exam score of 75%' for Responsible Broker, which appears to be the same Broker Associate exam already passed, not a second exam (inferred).

There is no separate exam for this license.

Show the handbook text behind every number3 quotes
  • Is there an exam
    “36-21A-31. Experience and education required of applicant for responsible broker's license. An applicant for a responsible broker's license shall have served actively for two years as a licensed salesperson or broker associate, or a combination thereof, and shall furnish evidence of completion of twenty-four additional class hours beyond the broker associate level”
    sd-license_law_book.pdf pdf p13 (printed p11)
  • Is there an exam
    “Responsible Broker 116-Hour Prelicensing Course 2 years active status Exam score of 75% Approval of Application 24-Hour Responsible Broker Course”
    https://dlr.sd.gov/realestate/license_types_requirements.aspx (fetched 2026-10-16)
  • Is there an exam
    “[{"name": "South Dakota Broker"}, {"name": "South Dakota Home Inspector"}]”
    https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/account/sdre/test (fetched 2026-10-16) - only these two tests listed

Where the handbook contradicts itself

We list these instead of quietly picking one. If a number above is affected, confirm with the exam vendor before test day.

FAQ

How many questions are on the South Dakota Broker Associate exam?

142 scored questions (90 national + 52 state). Each portion also has unscored pretest items (national: 5-10 (whole exam), state: 5-10 (whole exam)) that don’t count toward your score.

What is the passing score for the South Dakota Broker Associate exam?

National (General): 75% correct; South Dakota State: 75% correct. Each portion is scored and passed on its own. You need to pass every portion.

How long is the South Dakota Broker Associate exam?

270 minutes in total.

What happens if I fail part of the South Dakota Broker Associate exam?

Retake only the portion you failed (within the handbook’s time window).

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