An extracellular protease-producing yeast strain, designated as CO-3, was isolated from fermented tea. The cells were spherical- to ovoid-shaped and $6.8-7.4{ imes}7.4-9.1{mu}m$ in size. Optimal growth conditions were $25-30^{circ}C$ and pH of 5.0-6.0. The isolate was able to grow in up to 4%(w/v) NaCl and 5%(v/v) ethanol. This strain was identified as Sporidiobolus ruineniae based on the internal transcribed spacer regions including 5.8S rDNA sequence and partial D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA sequence analysis. Optimal activity conditions of the crude protease fraction of S. ruineniae CO-3 were pH of 7.0 at $50^{circ}C$. Protease production reached maximum when 1.0%(w/v) xylose, 1.0%(w/v) yeast extract, and 0.3%(w/v) ${K_2}{HPO_4}$ were used as the sole sources of carbon, nitrogen, and mineral, respectively.