Getting your South Carolina property and casualty license is the first step toward becoming a P&C insurance agent in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Department of Insurance requires you to complete a five-step process to obtain your property & casualty license – from taking the P&C insurance exam to applying for a P&C 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.
How to Get Your South Carolina Property and Casualty Insurance License
- Complete a South Carolina Pre-License Education Course (All-Lines – $179)
- Take the South Carolina Licensing Exam (Pearson VUE – $44)
- Complete a South Carolina License Application (National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – $25 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee)
- Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check (IdentoGO – $50.50)
- Watch for Your Application Results
Property and Casualty Insurance License South Carolina
Obtaining your South Carolina P&C license is easy. Just follow these five simple steps to start your journey toward becoming a property and casualty insurance agent. Once you earn this license, check out our guide on how to get your South Carolina life insurance license as well.
Step 1: Complete a South Carolina Pre-License Education Course
Before you take the South Carolina P&C 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. Pre-license education courses are self-paced and include study materials like practice exams and flashcards. Others purchase books or self-study materials to prepare themselves for the exam.
A pre-license education course provides very specific industry knowledge that insurance professionals will encounter during the exam. There are very few questions on this test that you can answer with “common sense” information.
You can complete insurance licensing courses on your own schedule and at your own pace when you choose online courses. Taking a pre-license education course will also give you a solid understanding of your duties as a P&C insurance agent.
Recommended Course
StateRequirement recommends All-Lines Training’s course for aspiring insurance agents because it’s price-competitive, fully state compliant, and comes with exceptional resources tailored for real-world insurance scenarios in South Carolina.
All-Lines ($179+)
Step 2: Take the South Carolina Licensing Exam
After you complete a pre-licensing education course and/or your own independent study, it’s time to take the South Carolina P&C license exam.
South Carolina uses Pearson VUE as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams. South Carolina offers its P&C producer-equivalent exam in one test.
The South Carolina General Lines insurance exam:
- Includes a total of 160 scored questions across 11 sections: insurance regulations, general insurance concepts, P&C insurance basics, types of policies specific to P&C, surety and fidelity insurance, and other coverages and options.
- Gives you 160 minutes to complete the test. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
- Costs $44, a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.
Passing the South Carolina P&C license exam can prove challenging, but taking an exam prep course and following a good study program can help prepare you to pass on your first attempt.
If you happen to fail the South Carolina P&C insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt.
Tip
Check out our in-depth insurance exam guide for tips to help you pass on the first attempt.
Step 3: Complete a South Carolina License Application
Once you pass the P&C insurance exam, you can apply for your P&C insurance license.
In South Carolina, you must apply online via the NIPR. The application fee is $25 and the transaction fee is $5.60.
The SCDOI will issue a P&C 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 P&C 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.
If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to agentmail@doi.sc.gov.
Step 4: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check
After you apply for your South Carolina P&C 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. Keep the original receipt for your records.
Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results
After you complete the previous four steps, the SCDOI will review your application and background check. The 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 Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State Based Systems (SBS) License Manager page. 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 Search tool. Simply choose “South Carolina” as the jurisdiction and “Licensee” as the search type.
Recommended Course
StateRequirement recommends All-Lines Training’s course as our number one pick for aspiring insurance agents. This is because it is price-competitive, fully state compliant, and comes with exceptional resources tailored for real-world insurance scenarios in South Carolina.
All-Lines ($179+)
Congratulations!
You’re now ready to get started as a P&C insurance agent in South Carolina.
Next Steps After Securing Your South Carolina Property and Casualty Insurance License
Once you complete the above steps and have your South Carolina P&C insurance license, here’s what you should pursue next.
Get a Job in the Insurance Field
Once you hold a P&C license, you can consider several different insurance-related careers. The P&C license gives you authorization within your state to sell P&C insurance policies and related products that’ll provide financial protection to your clients against loss or damage.
You can find P&C insurance job postings on our Insurance Jobs Board.
When applying for an insurance-related job, potential employers will request your license number and National Producer Number (NPN).
Complete Continuing Education and Renew Your License
In South Carolina, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. South Carolina CE requirements state that three of those hours must focus on ethics, eight hours must cover your lines of authority (P&C), and the remaining hours should focus on other approved courses.
To find these courses, visit the NAIC SBS website and choose “South Carolina” as the jurisdiction and “Course or Provider” as the search type.
If you have a non-resident license that meets the CE requirements in your home state, you don’t need to take CE courses in South Carolina.
You must complete the required CE hours at least 90 days before your license expires. You must apply for license renewal via the NIPR. The renewal fee is $25 and the late fee is $75.
For more detailed information, check out how to renew your license with our South Carolina insurance license renewal guide.
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: http://www.doi.sc.gov/
License Search: South Carolina Insurance License Lookup
South Carolina Property and Casualty License FAQ
How much does it cost to get a property and casualty insurance license in South Carolina?
The total cost of getting a property and casualty (P&C) insurance license in South Carolina is at least $314.10, but can reach nearly $500 based on the type of pre-license education course you choose. The costs include:
Insurance Pre-license Education Course Fee: $179 via All-Lines
Exam Fee: $44 via Pearson VUE
Application Fee: $25 + $5.60 transaction fee via the NIPR
Fingerprint-Based Background Check Fee: $50.50 via IdentoGO
How long does it take to process a property and casualty insurance license application in South Carolina?
It will take up to one to five business days for you to become an insurance agent. You’ll receive an email once the SCDOI reviews your application.
Can I get a temporary property and casualty insurance agent license in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina provides a 180-day temporary P&C insurance license. Until further notice, applicants for a temporary producer license must submit a hard-copy application with a check via United States mail to the South Carolina Department of Insurance. The Department is currently working with the NIPR to enable electronic applications. You should continue to check the Department’s website at www.doi.sc.gov for updates regarding the availability of online applications for temporary producer licenses.
Can I get an emergency property and casualty insurance agent license in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina doesn’t provide emergency P&C licenses.
What can I sell with a property and casualty insurance license in South Carolina?
With a South Carolina P&C license, you can sell insurance products like homeowners insurance, renters insurance, auto insurance, general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation policies.
How much can you make with a property and casualty insurance license in South Carolina?
According to ZipRecruiter, P&C insurance agents earn an average salary of between $30,000 and $44,500+ per year. P&C insurance agents who sell homeowners and auto insurance also can earn a 5 percent to 20 percent commission based on policy premiums.
What are the limitations of a South Carolina property and casualty insurance license?
Unless you have multiple licenses to sell various types of insurance products, having a South Carolina P&C license only gives you the authority to negotiate and sell P&C insurance policies. You’ll need additional licenses to sell other types of insurance.
Can I cancel my property and casualty license in South Carolina?
Yes. To cancel your license, download and send a completed Surrender Form to agentmail@doi.sc.gov.
How hard is it to get a property and casualty insurance license in South Carolina?
The process is quite simple! Follow the steps above and get started today!