South Dakota insurancelicense requirements
South Dakota insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- None required
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE
- Passing score
- 70 (scaled score)
- Exam fee
- $85 single, $95 combined
- License fee
- $25
- Continuing education
- 10 hours per line every 2 years
How to become an insurance agent in South Dakota
Below, you'll find the steps to a South Dakota insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Requirements for South Dakota insurance producers
Contact the South Dakota insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in South Dakota?
South Dakota average insurance agent salary (all lines): $82,200
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in South Dakota 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: $88,968
- Health insurance agent: $54,867
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $47,768
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does South Dakota require prelicensing education?
No, South Dakota 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 Dakota?
Becoming an insurance producer in South Dakota 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 an optional prelicensing course to help you prepare for the licensing exam.
- Step 2: Schedule your exam online with PearsonVUE at https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/sd/insurance.html or by phone at (888) 873-6205. The fee is $85 for an individual exam and $95 for a combination exam. Payment must be made at the time of reservation using a credit card, debit card, or voucher. No fees are accepted at the test center. Most exams can be taken online through OnVUE, but the Life exam must be taken at a test center. To reschedule, do so at least 24 hours before your appointment or you will forfeit the fee. To cancel, also notify Pearson VUE at least 24 hours before your appointment.
- Step 3: On the exam day, bring one valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, military I.D.) with a photo and signature. Without these, you cannot take the exam. After completing the exam, you will receive a score report indicating "pass" or "fail." If you pass, the report will include instructions on how to apply for your license.
- Step 4: Apply for your license through NIPR (www.nipr.com) or State Based Systems (www.statebasedsystems.com) within 180 days of passing the exam.
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the South Dakota insurance department for the most current information.
South Dakota insurance exam information
South Dakota Life Insurance Agent Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 Total Questions (75 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 64.7% (247 of 382 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Dakota Accident and Health or Sickness Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 Total Questions (75 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 49.4% (44 of 89 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Dakota Life and Accident & Health Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 145 Total Questions (130 scored, 15 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2.5 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 56.9% (331 of 582 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Dakota Property Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 Total Questions (75 scored; 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
South Dakota Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 Total Questions (75 scored; 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 100.0% (5 of 5 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Dakota Property and Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 145 Total Questions (130 scored; 15 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2.5 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 68.3% (196 of 287 first-time test takers, 2025) |
South Dakota Personal Lines Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 110 Total Questions (100 scored; 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 47.1% (8 of 17 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 Dakota insurance licensing fees
- Resident new license producer: $25; Surplus-Lines Broker: $50
- Nonresident new license producer: $30; Surplus-Lines Broker: $50
- Renewal fees: Producer: $20; Surplus-Lines Broker: $100 (resident & nonresident)
South Dakota insurance license citizenship requirements
Bail-bond licensing requires fingerprints; otherwise not required
Where can I apply for a resident insurance license in South Dakota?
Apply through NIPR or State Based Systems
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in South Dakota?
- 1. Must be at least 18 years old.
- 2. Must provide a valid business email address.
- 3. Variable requires FINRA CRD number.
- 4. Must answer background questions.
- 5. Apply via NIPR and pay $30 plus NIPR processing fees.
South Dakota 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: SD ST § 58-2-29 - notice must be filed within 15 days of contract or first application
- Can be processed via NIPR: Yes
- Fees for appointing resident: $10; nonresident: $20
- Appoint agencies: Yes
- Adjuster appointments via NIPR: No
South Dakota insurance license termination details
- Terminations processed via NIPR: Yes
- Termination reasons: Voluntary; death; appointed in error; cancelled; cancelled for cause
- Termination date can be specified: Yes - date must not precede effective date; must be < 30 days old
- Termination fee: None
- Allows termination if license expired: No
- Not-for-cause emailed notices: Yes (PDF allowed)
South Dakota insurance license renewals
Resident/Nonresident renewal: Last day of birth month every 2 years, based on first license issue year ; Reinstatement allowed up to one year after expiration
South Dakota insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- CE total hours per period: 20 every 2 years
- CE due before license renewal: Yes
- License renewal date: Last day of birth month
- Flood (NFIP): 3 hours (if property/casualty)
- LTC: 8-hour initial + 4 hours each renewal cycle
- Annuity: one-time 4-hour
- CE instructors: credit for first instance per course per period
- Credits must be specific to major LOAs
- Missed renewal: license may be reinstated within 1 year, after proof of CE for entire period and paying $40 reinstatement fee
- CE transcripts lookup: https://dlr.sd.gov/insurance/
South Dakota 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 Dakota requires no prelicensing course, so you can book your exam as soon as you are ready. After you pass, you have 180 days to apply.
Yes, for some exams. South Dakota candidates can test online with a remote proctor through Pearson VUE, or in person at a test center. The Life exam is test center only.
Expect to pay $85 single, $95 combined for the exam and $25 for the license. Any exam prep is extra.
No. South Dakota does not require a prelicensing course, though a course helps you prepare for the exam.
The passing score is 70 (scaled score). In 2025, 56.9% of first-time test takers passed the South Dakota life and health exam, according to the NAIC.
Apply through NIPR or State Based Systems after you pass your exam.
South Dakota requires 10 hours per line 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, exam provider, exam fee, passing score, online exams, where to apply and time to apply after passing: pearsonvue.com
- License fee: nipr.com
- Continuing education: dlr.sd.gov
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official South Dakota and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the South Dakota insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in South Dakota, 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.
Interested in insurance licensing in other states?
