How to Get a Life Insurance License in South Carolina

Getting your South Carolina life insurance license is the first step toward becoming a life insurance agent in the state.

The South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) requires you to complete a five-step process to become a life insurance agent in South Carolina — from taking the life insurance exam to applying for a license.

These steps will take a few weeks to complete so we recommend you bookmark this page so you can use it as a reference throughout the process.

Life Insurance License South Carolina

Obtaining your South Carolina life insurance license isn’t difficult. Just follow these five steps to start your journey toward becoming a life insurance agent. Once you earn this license, check out our guide on how to get your South Carolina property and casualty (P&C) license as well.

Step 1: Complete a South Carolina Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the South Carolina life insurance licensing exam, it’s important to make time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need to pass this exam on your first attempt. Completing a pre-license education course will equip you with the necessary information and tools you’ll need to prepare for your exam.

While South Carolina doesn’t have any formal pre-license education requirements, most insurance professionals opt to take a pre-license education course online. Others purchase books or self-study materials to prepare themselves for the exam.

A pre-license education course provides very specific industry knowledge that will be tested during the exam. There is very little information on the test that could be considered “common sense.” Pre-license education courses are self-paced and include study materials like practice exams and flashcards.

Beyond helping you effectively prepare for and pass the life insurance licensing exam on your first try, taking a pre-license education course also will give you a solid understanding of your duties as a life insurance agent.

Step 2: Take the South Carolina Life Insurance Licensing Exam

After you complete a prep course and your own independent studying, it’s time to take the South Carolina life insurance exam.

South Carolina uses Pearson VUE as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.

The South Carolina life insurance exam outline contains a total of 85 scored questions that includes seven sections:

• Insurance Regulation
• General Insurance
• Life Insurance Basics
• Life Insurance Policies
• Life Insurance Policy Provisions, Options, and Riders
• Annuities
• Federal Tax Considerations for Life Insurance and Annuities

You’ll have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The South Carolina life insurance exam fee is $44, which you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.

If you happen to fail the South Carolina life insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt. There’s no limit to the number of attempts you can make on the same exam.

Step 3: Complete a South Carolina Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam, you can apply for your South Carolina life insurance license. The application fee is $25 plus $5.60 transaction fee, and you must apply online via the NIPR.

The SCDOI will issue a life insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. You should submit your completed license application within 12 months of passing the exam.

To apply for a life insurance license in South Carolina, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the South Carolina Insurance Code and the South Carolina Administrative Code.

Send any questions or supporting documents to agentmail@doi.sc.gov.

Step 4: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

After you apply for your South Carolina life insurance license, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from IdentoGO. The fee for fingerprinting services is $50.50 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.

To set up a fingerprinting appointment, go to the IdentoGO website. Use service code “SC920124Z-DOI Producer Licensing/Renewal” when making your appointment.

At your fingerprinting appointment, you’ll receive a receipt. Don’t throw it away! Keep the original receipt for your records and so you can send a copy via email to the SCDOI.

Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous four steps, the SCDOI will review your application and background check. It reviews applications in the order it receives them, and this process usually takes one to five business days from the date you submit your application.

Once the SCDOI finishes reviewing your application, it’ll email you with its decision or ask you to provide more information.

You can print your license from the National Associated of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State Based Systems (SBS) License Manager website. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. If you don’t remember your license number, you can find it by using the NAIC SBS Lookup tool. Simply choose “South Carolina” as the jurisdiction and “Licensee” as the search type.

Congratulations!

You’re now ready to get started as a life insurance agent in South Carolina.

Steps After Securing Your South Carolina Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your South Carolina life insurance license, there are a few steps you’ll need to take in order to a) excel as an insurance agent, and b) maintain your life insurance license.

Let’s take a brief look at these below.

Obtain All Relevant Securities Licenses

If you’re planning on selling advanced life insurance products, you’ll likely need to pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam and obtain the relevant securities licenses (e.g., Series 6, 7, and 63).

For more information on this step, you can have a look at our in-depth Securities Licensing overview.

Choose a Means of Selling

You’ll have to decide whether you’d prefer working as a captive agent employed by one company, or running your own business as an independent agent.

If you’re just starting out, you’ll likely benefit from working as a captive agent, but this will ultimately depend on your personal aspirations and opportunities.

Develop Your Marketing Approach

To succeed as an insurance agent, you’ll need to adopt a marketing approach that’s effective for you.

We recommend finding and sticking to a niche, as well organizing all client appointments for the start of your week. This is because this can improve your overall client conversions.

Keep Your License Valid

In South Carolina, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew your license.

Of these 24, three must focus on ethics and eight must cover life insurance.

Note: To avoid delays in renewing your license, we recommend completing the required CE at least 90 days before your license is due to expire. This will ensure that your CE provider has enough time to report your completion to the SCDOI. 

The renewal fee is $25 and the late fee is $75.

South Carolina Department of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address

1201 Main Street, Suite 1000
Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: (803) 737-6160

Email: agentmail@doi.sc.gov

Website: https://www.doi.sc.gov/

License Search: South Carolina Insurance License Lookup