last updated 26 Oct 2026
South Carolina Insurance Licensing Guide
Alexandra Gallup
Laura Crowell
Table of Contents
South Carolina Insurance Licensing Requirements
Standard Requirements
All applicants for a South Carolina insurance license must meet South Carolina’s eligibility standards. Some eligibility requirements are standard across all states. The full list is available in our U.S. Licensing Guide.
South Carolina Specific Licensing Process
In addition to the common licensing requirements, most new applicants must also complete the following steps. Exemptions may apply based on prior licensure, active license status, or qualifying professional designations:
Fingerprinting
Pre-licensing education
Pass state exam
Where Do You Get an Insurance License in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, insurance licenses are regulated by the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
Regulator
Licensing portal
Appointment portal
Licensing email
Address
P.O. Box 100105, Columbia, SC 29202-3105
Phone
803-737-6160
Did You Know?
South Carolina producers licensed for 25+ years and aged 65 or older may apply for a CE exemption.
South Carolina resident producers holding multiple lines of authority must complete at least 8 hours of CE in each line of authority.
Producers may carry up to 18 CE hours over to the next compliance period.
Insurance producers may take the licensing exam(s) at a testing center or online.
Agencies only require one license, regardless of the number of branches.
Public and independent adjusters must pass a state exam.
How Does South Carolina Compare to Other States?
South Carolina is one of many states with a biennial renewal cycle with producer licenses expiring on the last day of the licensee’s birth month, and in an even or odd year, depending on the producer’s birth year.
Public adjuster licenses expire in even-numbered years, and independent adjuster licenses expire in odd-numbered years. The state requires fingerprinting and applicants must pass the appropriate licensing exam(s).
Our Insurance Licensing Across All 50 States infographic puts the full picture on one page: renewal cycles, expiration trigger dates, CE hours, fingerprinting requirements, and application fees for every state.
What are the South Carolina Insurance License Types and Lines of Authority?
The following table lists the common license types and lines of authority for South Carolina.
| Application Type | License Type | Lines of Authority |
| Individual | Producer | Life, Accident and Health or Sickness, Property, Casualty, Personal Lines, Surplus Lines, Title, Variable Life and Variable Annuity, Limited lines, Crop, Surety, Pre-Need Insurance |
| Individual | Adjuster | Independent Adjuster, Public Adjuster, Emergency Adjuster, Designated Home State |
| Business Entity | Agency or Firm | Lines of authority are based on the Designated Responsible Licensed Producer (DRLP). |
What are South Carolina’s Insurance Licensing Fees?
Non-refundable licensing fees apply throughout the licensing process for licenses, exams, fingerprinting, and other services as follows.
| Fee Category | Fee | Applies To | Notes |
| Individual New Producer License / Renewal Fee | $25.00 | Residents and non-residents applying for an initial license or renewing a license | Licenses can be renewed anytime within 90 days before expiration. NIPR transaction fees may also apply. |
| Adjuster License New / Renewal Fee | $80.00 | New independent and public adjuster licenses and renewals | Retaliatory fees apply for non-residents in states with higher licensing fees. NIPR transaction fees may also apply. Independent adjusters renew every odd year from August 1 to August 31. Public adjusters renew every even year from October 1 to October 31. |
| Business Entity New License/ Renewal Fee | $40.00 | Business entities applying for an initial license or renewing a license | Business entity licenses renew January 1 to January 31 of even-numbered years. NIPR transaction fees may also apply. |
| Late CE Fee | $75.00 (1-30 days late) $125.00 (31-60 days late) $275.00 (61-180 days late) | Individuals completing missing CE credits past the renewal deadline | South Carolina offers a grace period of six months to reinstate a license. If a license lapses for more than six months, the license will be canceled, and the licensee must reapply as a new applicant. NIPR transaction fees may also apply. |
| Business Entity Late Renewal Fee | $290.00 | Business entities renewing their licenses past the renewal deadline | Business entities can late renew licenses for up to 180 days after the expiration date. NIPR transaction fees may also apply. |
| License Exam Fee | $59.00 | Individuals applying for initial licenses that require an exam. | |
| Fingerprinting Fee | *Subject to change | Resident individuals applying for initial licenses. | Confirm rates through IdentoGO. |
| Appointment Fees | $100.00 (General) $40.00 (Local) $20.00 (Travel Accident and Baggage) | Resident and non-resident appointments | General appointments grant the producer management authority in addition to the authority granted with a standard local appointment. NIPR transaction fees may also apply. |
Disclaimer: Fees and requirements may change at any time without prior notice. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, we recommend verifying fees through the South Carolina Department of Insurance website directly.
This table summarizes common South Carolina insurance licensing fee categories. Some license classes, appointments, business entity filings, title-related filings, and non-resident transactions may have different or additional costs. Review the relevant South Carolina agent, agency, adjuster, or license-class page before filing.
South Carolina Continuing Education Requirements
The exam and CE requirements depend on the type of license and lines of authority. Candidates can schedule CE courses through one of South Carolina’s approved CE providers.
Individual South Carolina CE requirements are available on the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. Licensees can look up CE requirements on South Carolina’s state-based system. CE requirements typically include 24 hours of CE with 3 hours of ethics every two years.
Common South Carolina Licensing Compliance Mistakes
South Carolina’s licensing process creates several compliance risks for individual licensees and organizations managing multiple agents.
Attempting Partial Renewals.
South Carolina no longer offers partial renewals for insurance licenses. Licensees must renew all lines of authority by the renewal deadline.
Failing to complete CE on time.
South Carolina CE providers may take up to 30 days to report credits. Completing CE requirements at least one month ahead of time helps prevent late renewals.
Missing the reinstatement period.
Licensees have 180 days after the license expiration date to become CE compliant and reinstate a lapsed license. After 180 days, the license and appointments are cancelled, and the licensee will have to reapply as a new applicant.
Miscalculating your license renewal year.
South Carolina producer licenses renew according to the birth year while independent and public adjuster licenses renew in fixed even or odd years.
Failing to keep a current agency address.
South Carolina insurance agencies have 30 days to report changes, such as change of address or name. Failing to keep the agency’s contact information up to date may result in penalties.
South Carolina Insurance Licensing FAQs
Who issues South Carolina insurance licenses?
The South Carolina Department of Insurance regulates the issuance of insurance licenses for agents, adjusters, and business entities.
How much does it cost to get an insurance license in South Carolina?
South Carolina insurance producer licenses cost $25 and adjuster licenses cost $80. The license exam is $59, and fingerprinting and processing fees may also apply.
Does South Carolina require carrier appointments for insurance agent licenses?
Yes, South Carolina requires carrier appointments before licensees begin work with an insurer. Carrier appointments are processed online via NIPR.
What are the minimum requirements to become a licensed producer in South Carolina?
South Carolina insurance producer licenses require the applicant be 18 years of age or older, of good moral character, and able to pass a criminal history background check.
How often must a producer license be renewed in South Carolina?
A South Carolina insurance producer license must be renewed every two years. Producers born in even-numbered years will renew in even years and producers born in odd-numbered years will renew in odd years.
How long is the South Carolina insurance exam?
The South Carolina insurance exams range in length from 60 minutes for limited lines to 165 minutes for the combined Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine Insurance exam. Life, Accident and Health, Property, Casualty, and Personal lines exams are 120 minutes.
How can I track my South Carolina agent and adjuster CE credits?
Use the VerifyMyCE page to track your CE credits.
Where can I check my South Carolina insurance license application status?
You can check your application status on the NIPR website.
Sources
- How to Obtain a South Carolina Insurance Producer License
- Pearson VUE South Carolina Insurance Producer License Exam Information
- Pearson VUE Insurance Producer License Exam Candidate Handbook for South Carolina
- Fingerprinting Requirements for New South Carolina Insurance Producers
- South Carolina Insurance Producer Licensing FAQ
- NIPR South Carolina Resident Individual Licenses
- NIPR South Carolina Non-Resident Individual Licenses
- NIPR South Carolina Resident Individual License Renewals
- NIPR South Carolina Non-Resident Individual License Renewals
- NIPR South Carolina Resident Business Entity Licenses
- NIPR South Carolina Resident Business Entity License Renewals
- NIPR South Carolina Non-Resident Business Entity Licenses
- NIPR South Carolina Non-Resident Business Entity License Renewals
- South Carolina Carrier Appointments for Insurance Producers
- South Carolina CE Reminder Notice for Insurance Producers
This content is intended for general informational purposes only. Regulatory compliance may differ across states, and users are responsible for understanding and adhering to the rules relevant to their insurance practices.
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South Carolina organizations managing multiple producers also need to track license status, appointments, CE deadlines, agency requirements, fees, and documentation.
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