Mark your calendar for May 15, 2027: That’s when South Carolina’s updated team name law, S.C. Code §40-57-360, becomes mandatory for every real estate team in the state.
The good news first: you can start complying now. The Real Estate Commission confirmed that any advertising or marketing changes you make before May 15, 2027 that already meet the new standard will not trigger discipline. Wait until the deadline and you’re still fully covered, bud don’t hesitate to make the changes now.
Here’s what the new rule requires for everywhere your team advertises (signs, flyers, social media, websites, SEO, AEO, GEO, handouts, giveaways, all of it):
- The brokerage’s full name must appear.
- Every team member must show they’re connected to that brokerage.
- Your team name can never be more than twice the size, prominence, or frequency of the brokerage name.
- Team names can’t suggest you’re a separate company (skip words like “Realty” or “Company”). Team names must end in “[team name] team at [name of real estate brokerage firm].
- Team leaders may not advertise themselves as owner, CEO, president, or other similar title for the Team, as use of such a title would be misleading. Team leaders may refer to themselves as the Team Leader.
Here are some examples:
The simplest fix? Review your signs, bios, and social profiles now, and make sure the brokerage name is never buried or shrunk down.
Read the Commission’s full memo for the complete statute language and examples.
Disclaimer: This is general guidance, not legal advice.