📢 SCR Update: Team Names, Advertising, & Marketing Compliance

đź“Ś Overview & Implementation Timeline

The General Assembly has updated S.C. Code §40-57-360 regarding real estate team supervision, advertising, and marketing.

  • Effective Date: May 15, 2027.

  • Transition Period: The Commission encourages teams to begin transitioning advertising and marketing materials now. Any changes made prior to May 15, 2027, that comply with the new law will NOT result in disciplinary action.

  • Mandatory Deadline: All team advertising and marketing active on or after May 15, 2027, must fully comply with the new standards.

🛠️ Key Statutory Requirements (§40-57-360)

1. Mandatory Team Name Format

No team may imply that it is a separate entity from its brokerage firm. All team names must end in standard format:

"[team name] team at [name of real estate brokerage firm]"

  • Example: Smith Team at ABC Real Estate Company

  • Prohibited Terms: Team names should not use terms like "Company" or "Realty" (e.g., Smith Realty Company), as this could falsely imply the team is an independent entity from the brokerage.

2. Advertising & Marketing Rules across ALL Media

These rules apply across all formats and platforms (including social media, billboards, flyers, websites, giveaways, SEO, AEO, GEO, and handouts):

  • Full Brokerage Name Required: All team advertising/marketing must contain the full name of the real estate brokerage firm.

  • Connection Display: All team members must clearly display and promote their direct connection to the brokerage firm.

    • Social Media Example: "Check out this cute new listing from the Smith Team at ABC Real Estate Company."

  • Size, Prominence, & Frequency Limits: In all team advertising/marketing, the team name may not be more than twice the size, prominence, or frequency of the full name of the brokerage firm.

  • Font Size: A team name font size cannot be more than twice the font size of the brokerage name (e.g., 18pt team name vs. 8pt brokerage name is a violation).

  • Frequency: Mentioning the team name three times while mentioning the brokerage firm only once is a violation.

  • Placement: Separating the team name at the top of a sign while placing the brokerage name at the very bottom fails the required format and prominence rules.

3. Titles & Prohibited Claims

  • Allowed Titles: Team leaders may refer to themselves as the Team Leader.

  • Prohibited Titles: Team leaders should not advertise or refer to themselves as Owner, CEO, President, or similar titles, as this may be considered misleading advertising by the Real Estate Commission under S.C. Code §40-57-710(A)(4).

4. Broker-in-Charge (BIC) Supervision & Dual Agency Rules

  • No Delegated Supervision: The BIC is solely responsible for supervising the team and all licensed team members. The BIC may not delegate supervisory responsibilities to team members or team leaders.

  • Office Policy Requirement: The BIC’s written office policy must explicitly address team relationships and activities.

  • Dual Agency Restriction: Teams may act as disclosed dual agents only, with prior informed written consent from all parties and as authorized in the BIC’s written office policy.

  • Office Location: Team members must conduct all brokerage activities from their commission-established office under the supervision of a BIC.

  • Registration: The Commission may (but hasn’t yet) promulgate regulations regarding team registration on prescribed forms.

This outline is based directly on SC Code of Laws, Section 40-57-360 and guidance issued by the S.C. Real Estate Commission to educate REALTORS® with practical examples.

Update July 27, 2026

Posted by: Byron King on 7/27/26 (This information is only accurate as of 7/22/26. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 7/27/26, as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org

This information is not legal advice. This information is intended only to provide general information and may not be relied upon as specific legal guidance. Legal counsel should always be consulted before acting in reliance on this information.