South Carolina insurancelicense requirements
South Carolina insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- None required
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE
- Passing score
- 70 (scaled score)
- Exam fee
- $59 per exam
- License fee
- $25
- Fingerprints
- Required, through IdentoGO
- Continuing education
- 24 hours every 2 years
How to become an insurance agent in South Carolina
Below, you'll find the steps to a South Carolina insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Requirements for South Carolina insurance producers
Contact the South Carolina insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in South Carolina?
South Carolina average insurance agent salary (all lines): $78,730
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in South Carolina in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 survey.
Estimates by line, from Achievable's May 2026 salary research (not BLS figures):
- Life insurance agent: $82,558
- Health insurance agent: $51,177
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $44,327
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does South Carolina require prelicensing education?
No, South Carolina does not require any insurance pre-licensing education. We highly recommend taking a course on your own to prepare for the state's licensing exam.
How do I get my insurance license in South Carolina?
Becoming an insurance producer in South Carolina requires passing a state-mandated insurance exam in the specific line or lines you wish to specialize in, as well as completing the following steps:
- Step 1: (optional): Complete a prelicensing course to help you prepare for the test.
- Step 2: Schedule your exam online through Pearson VUE or over the phone by calling (877) 759-5226. Exams are distributed either in-person at Pearson VUE examination centers or online as a remote proctored exam. Exam fees are paid when you register for the exam. If you need to change or cancel your exam date, you must contact Pearson VUE at least 48 hours in advance or risk losing your fee.
- Step 3: Pass your state licensing exam. Bring with you a valid form of government issued identification (driver’s license, passport, military I.D., etc.) on your testing date. Your ID MUST contain a photo and a signature. If you take your test at a Pearson VUE testing site, you will be given your score report at the test center. If you take your test online, you will need to log into your Pearson VUE account to obtain your score report. Wait 2 days after passing, then submit a license application and pay the license fee at NIPR: http://www.nipr.com/. After the application has been approved, you will receive a link to download or print your license.
- Step 4: After you apply, the Department of Insurance emails you fingerprint instructions. Schedule and complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO (https://doi.sc.gov/879/Fingerprinting). Do not be fingerprinted before you apply.
- Step 5: Keep your license active by fulfilling your continuing education requirements. Achievable offers courses to help you meet these requirements. View South Carolina's education rules here: https://doi.sc.gov/354/Licensing-CE
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the South Carolina insurance department for the most current information.
South Carolina insurance exam information
South Carolina Life Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 Total Questions (75 scored; 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 55.8% (1,293 of 2,318 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Carolina Accident and Health Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 Total Questions (75 scored; 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 51.9% (392 of 755 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Carolina Life, Accident and Health Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 140 Total Questions (130 scored; 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 56.3% (1,960 of 3,481 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Carolina Property Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 80 Total Questions (75 scored; 5 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 67.4% (62 of 92 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Carolina Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 80 Total Questions (75 scored; 5 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 64.2% (70 of 109 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Carolina Property and Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 140 Total Questions (130 scored; 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 63.1% (827 of 1,311 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Carolina Personal Lines Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 105 Total Questions (95 scored; 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 55.2% (230 of 417 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Pass rates are for first-time test takers, from the NAIC's state exam reports. Each rate shows its year, and it is the most recent NAIC figure we have for that exam.
Additional requirements
South Carolina insurance licensing fees
- Resident new license producer: $25
- Resident surplus-lines broker: $200
- Nonresident new license producer: $25
- Nonresident surplus-lines broker: $200
- License renewal fees: Producer $25; Surplus-lines broker $200 (resident & nonresident)
South Carolina insurance license citizenship requirements
Background check and fingerprints required (IdentoGO) for resident licensing
Where can I apply for a resident insurance license in South Carolina?
Apply through NIPR
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in South Carolina?
- 1. Must be at least 18 years old. Must answer background questions.
- 2. Physical address required. U.S. resident license, mailing address, and green card required for non-citizens.
- 3. Variable requires FINRA CRD number.
- 4. Reciprocity generally applies. Must hold an active resident license.
- 5. Apply via NIPR and pay $25 plus NIPR processing fees.
South Carolina carrier appointments and insurance license terminations
- Required to report appointments: Yes
- Permits JIT appointments: Yes
- Initial appointment deadlines: Within 15 days of contract execution or first business submission
- Appointment rule: SC ST § 38-43-80(B) - notice must be filed within 15 days of contract or first insurance application
- Can be processed via NIPR: Yes
- Fees for appointing resident: $40 (local) / $100 (general)
- Fees for nonresident: $40 (local) / $100 (general), $20 (travel)
- Appoint agencies: No
- Adjuster appointments via NIPR: No
- Appointment effective date: Not specified; state uses processing date
South Carolina insurance license termination details
- Terminations processed via NIPR: Yes
- Termination reasons: Voluntary termination; cancelled for cause
South Carolina insurance license renewals
Resident/Nonresident renewal: Last day of birth month every 2 years based on birth year ; Late renewal/reinstatement allowed up to 180 days after expiration
South Carolina insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- CE total hours per renewal period: 24 every 2 years
- Ethics: 3 hours
- Flood (NFIP): 3 hours
- LTC: 8-hour initial + 4 hours every 2 years
- Annuity: one-time 4-hour course
- Adjusters exempt from CE under this data
South Carolina insurance license FAQs
There is no set timeline: most of it depends on how long you study and how soon you can book an exam. South Carolina requires no prelicensing course, so you can book your exam as soon as you are ready. Allow time for your fingerprint appointment too. After you pass, you have 1 year to apply.
Yes. South Carolina candidates can test online with a remote proctor through Pearson VUE, or in person at a test center.
Expect to pay $59 per exam for the exam and $25 for the license. Fingerprinting and any exam prep are extra.
No. South Carolina does not require a prelicensing course, though a course helps you prepare for the exam.
The passing score is 70 (scaled score). In 2025, 56.3% of first-time test takers passed the South Carolina life and health exam, according to the NAIC.
Yes. Resident applicants in South Carolina are fingerprinted through IdentoGO.
Apply through NIPR after you pass your exam.
South Carolina requires 24 hours every 2 years to keep your license active.
For what an agent does, the types of insurance and how multi-state licensing works, see our guide to insurance licensing by state.
Sources
- Prelicensing and where to apply: doi.sc.gov
- Exam provider: doi.sc.gov
- Exam fee, passing score and time to apply after passing: pearsonvue.com
- License fee and fingerprints: nipr.com
- Continuing education: doi.sc.gov
- Online exams: pearsonvue.com
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official South Carolina and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the South Carolina insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in South Carolina, Achievable's license exam prep covers each major line: Life & Health insurance license exam prep, Property & Casualty license exam prep, and Personal Lines license exam prep. Our comprehensive study materials and practice exams are designed to help you pass your licensing exam on the first attempt.
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