How Do I Get an Insurance License in South Carolina?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the South Carolina insurance exams. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each combined line of insurance you wish to carry. The Property line and Casualty line are combined as one exam. The Lifeline and Accident and Health line are combined as one exam as well. After passing your exams, the next step is to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you passed the test for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. As of January 1st, 2017, South Carolina requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed. For more information, call the Department of Insurance at (803) 737-6160 or email the Insurance Department.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in South Carolina?

You’ll first need to take and pass the South Carolina Insurance Adjuster License exams. Depending on the lines of authority you wish to carry, you may need to take more than one exam. Once you have completed all your coursework and passed the examination, you are now ready to apply for your license. Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about three to five (3-5) business days. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.

How do I renew my insurance license in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, insurance licenses expire every two years. The renewal period begins 90 days prior to the expiration date (the last day of your birth month, biennial). The State of South Carolina requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be in the subject of ethics, eight (8) hours must be in each line of authority, and the remaining eight (8) hours can be in any line of authority. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, you may renew your South Carolina insurance license online via the <a href="https://www.nipr.com/license_form.htm">National Insurance Producer Registry</a>. Additionally, paper renewals can be found You may also print a paper renewal form from the <a href="https://doi.sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2273/Producer-Renewal-Application-and-Certificate">South Carolina Department of Insurance</a>. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process. There is a fee of $25 per application.

How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in South Carolina?

In the state of South Carolina, all nonresident applicants must <a href="https://www.nipr.com/">apply online</a> via the National Insurance Producer Registry, and pay the license fee of $25. Additionally, any nonresident license holder who meets their home state requirement is exempt from continuing education. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process.

How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in South Carolina?

South Carolina license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. To be eligible for Non-Resident Adjuster License renewal in South Carolina: The license fee is $80. If you are a resident of a state that charges a fee in excess of $80, your resident state fee will be assessed since fees are retaliatory under South Carolina Law. Examples of retaliatory fees are: North Carolina – $175 Georgia – $115 If the applicants home state does not require an adjuster examination, then a certificate can be used from another state where the applicant is licensed and has taken and passed an adjuster examination. South Carolina will grant reciprocal licensing privileges to an applicant who holds an adjuster license by exam in their home state. If an applicant’s home state does not require an exam, then the applicant can qualify with an adjuster license from another state, as long as they passed an exam for that license. Non-Resident Adjusters in South Carolina are only required to complete the Continuing Education (CE) requirements of their DHS. There is an $80 fee to renew your South Carolina adjuster license via the NIPR. For more information, contact the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In South Carolina?

Once you have your license, you’ll need to renew it every two years to keep it active. Resident South Carolina adjusters are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including three (3) hours of ethics coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license. There is an $80 fee to renew your South Carolina adjuster license. After you complete your renewal application, the South Carolina Department of Insurance will email you once your license renewal has been approved or if you need to submit other documents.

South Carolina

state commissioner

Michael Wise

STATE email

info@doi.sc.gov

STATE phone

(803) 737-6160

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

South Carolina Department of Insurance

Visit State Website

Appointments & Terminations

Required to report appointments?

Yes

Permits Just-in-time (JIT) appointments?

Yes

Appointment exemptions and notes

A property and casualty producer requires a carrier appointment to sell, solicit, or negotiate travel insurance.

Initial appointment deadlines

Within 15 days of contract execution or first business submission

Initial appointment deadline rule

JIT appointments permitted. Appointments must be submitted within 15 days of the date the agent/agency contract is executed or the first piece of business is submitted to the carrier

Can be processed via nipr?

Yes

Fees for appointing a resident agency or individual?

$40 for local & $100 for general producers

Fees for appointing a nonresident agency or individual?

$40 for local and $100 for general producers and $20 for travel

Appoint agencies?

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

Appointment effective date can be specified?

Appointment effective date rule

Not required and is the date transaction as processed by the state.

State requires appointment renewal?

Yes

Appointment renewals via

Via NIPR Portal

When is the state renewal period?

The South Carolina renewal period is Sep 1 - 30. The late renewal period is Oct 1 - Dec 1. Individual producers' appointments are renewed for two years at a time.

Appointment renewal fee

General: $100 Local: $40 Travel: $20 Late appointment renewal fee: $250

State terminates appointment if license expires?

Yes

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Yes

Termination reasons

Voluntary termination; inadequate production; death; company defunct or liquidation; company indebtedness; poor policyholder services; agent moved; appointed in error; request regulatory review

Termination date can be specified by carrier?

Termination Effective date rule

Not required and is the date the transaction is processed by the state

Termination notes

For 2022, the termination date is August 22.

Termination fee

No fee

Allows carriers to terminate the appointment if license has expired?

Yes

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License Insurance Producer: $25 Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $200 Nonresident New License Insurance Producer: $25 Nonresident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $200

License renewal fee

Resident: Reinsurance Intermediary Manager Renewal Fee: $200.00 Late Renewal Fee: $250.00 Adjuster Renewal Fee: $80.00 Late Renewal Fee: $160.00 Public Insurance Adjuster Renewal Fee: $80.00 Late Renewal Fee: $160.00 Appraiser Renewal Fee: $80.00 Late Renewal Fee: $160.00 Surplus Lines Broker Renewal Fee: $200.00 Late Renewal Fee: $400.00 Professional Bondsman Renewal Fee: $400.00 Late Renewal Fee: $2000.00 Runner Bondsman Renewal Fee: $200.00 Late Renewal Fee: $1000.00 Surety Bondsman Renewal Fee: $0.00 Late Renewal Fee: $250.00 Nonresident Insurance Producer Renewal Fee: $25.00 Late Renewal Fee: $75.00 Fee Disclaimers: $125 (31-60 days after expiration) $275 (61-180 days after expiration) Appraiser Renewal Fee: $80.00 Late Renewal Fee: $160.00 Surplus Lines Broker Renewal Fee: $200.00 Late Renewal Fee: $400.00

When does the resident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the resident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of birth

Late renewal or reinstatement period for resident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to 180 days after expiration

When does the nonresident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the nonresident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of birth

Late renewal or reinstatement period for nonresident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to 180 days after expiration

Can a producer use a P.O. Box in their resident or business address?

Are individuals required to list their county as part of the address?

Yes

What addresses are required for individual license maintenance?

Residence, Business, and Mailing

State individual licenses include

Surplus Lines Broker, Casualty, Property & Casualty, Life, Public Insurance Adjuster, Insurance Producer, Health, Limited Lines Insurance Producer, Adjuster, Appraiser, Temporary Producer, Professional Bondsman, Runner Bondsman, Surety Bondsman, Pharmacy Benefit Manager

State recognizes a licensing exemption for nonresident commercial lines producers with multistate contracts?

Yes

State broker license rule

Included in Producer License Class. Insurers are not required to appoint Brokers per NAIC PLMA

Broker license notes

If a producer wishes to place insurance with an insurer who has not appointed him, the agent may request that another agent appointed by that insurer write the business. The requesting agent may share in the commission from the business, as long as he is licensed to act as an agent for that type of insurance

Requires pre licensing courses?

Prelicense education requirement

Fingerprints Required?

Yes, for Resident Licensing

Fingerprint Submission Details

Required after application - IdentoGO

Where to apply for resident license?

NIPR Gateway

What Transactions are Retaliatory Fees Applied to?

None

Submit Partial License Renewals through NIPR?

Yes

Has Personal Lines LOA?

Yes

Deadline to report personal data changes (address, name change, phone number, etc.)

If the producer's legal name or business, email, residence, or mailing address changes, he/she must notify the Department within 30 days. The Department requests all licensees to verify their address information in the Department's online information system and to make any necessary changes to bring this information up-to-date. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Penalty for failure to timely report personal data changes

Licensed producers who fail to notify the Department of their address change within 30 days of their relocation may be subject to an administrative penalty of up to $2,500.

Agency

Can a sole proprietor be licensed as an entity?

DRLP must have active state license

Yes

DRLPs must cumulatively cover all LOAs in application

Agency Licensing renewals

90 Days prior to expiration date until Jan. 31st, even years. Late renewal period starts Feb. 1st on even years and ends 180 days after expiration date.

Agency License required?

Yes

Affiliations: Indicates if producers selling on behalf of/through an entity must be formally affiliated with that entity and if the entity must notify the department of changes

Branch office

Main license meets requirements

Deadline to report key business entity changes (address, dba, phone, email, etc.)

Business Entities must notify the Department within 30 days. Contact Change Requests supported via NIPR Gateway.

Adjuster

Requires adjuster license?

Yes

Offers designated home state?

Yes

DHS exam required?

Yes

Reciprocity states

AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV

Which states require an exam for reciprocity?

CA, HI, NY, PR, WY

Independent adjuster LOAS

Property, Casualty, Personal Lines, Crop, Workers Compensation, Surety, Marine Commercial Lines

Independent adjuster fees

Licensing fee: $80 Reinstatement fee: $80 Renewal fee: $80 Late renewal fee: $160 Nonresident initial license fee (retaliatory): $109 Nonresident renewal license fee (retaliatory): $169

Independent adjuster exam required?

Yes

Public Adjuster Renewal Period

Biennially, on the last day of the individuals birth month.

Emergency adjuster details

Prior to allowing non licensed emergency adjusters, South Carolina requires that all resident and nonresident adjusters licensed in the state of SC be utilized first.

Public Adjuster LOAs

Property

Public adjuster fees

Licensing Fee: $80 Reinstatement Fee: $80 Renewal Fee: $80 Late Renewal Fee: $160 If you are a nonresident, check the state's retaliatory fees.

Public adjuster exam required?

Yes

Address change request through NIPR?

Yes

Continuing Education

Total hours per renewal period

Renewal period

2 years

License renewal date is

Last day of birth month

License renewal year based on...

Year of birth

When is the CE due?

One week or more in advance of license expiration.

How long before expiration does state send CE reminder?

90 days prior to expiration date

Exemptions to CE

Producers licensed only for limited lines of insurance and licensees who are at least 65 years old with 25 years or more of licensure in South Carolina can request an exemption from CE requirements. The following designations' credits count toward CE: Chartered Life Underwriter, Fellow Life Management Institute, Certified Financial Planner, Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, Registered Health Underwriter, Registered Employee Benefits Consultant, or Chartered Financial Consultant for life/health lines of authority and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Certified Insurance Counselor for property/casualty licenses.

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

License and appointment(s) expire the day following the biennial compliance deadline. Producers may reinstate the license and appointment(s) that have expired, if within six months of the compliance deadline, a $50 penalty fee has been paid to the Department of Insurance, and proof of completion of a total of 24 hours of continuing education credits has been received by the Continuing Education Administrator. The license and appointment(s) of a producer who do not provide documentation of compliance within six months of the compliance deadline will be made inactive. To become licensed again, the producer must retake and pass the appropriate producer licensing examination, complete a new application, submit to new fingerprints, and pay a license fee to the Department.

CE instructors get credit for teaching courses?

Yes

Can rollover excess hours?

Yes

Amount of rollover credits allowed

Up to 18

Ethics requirements

Credits must be specific to major LOAs?

Yes

Major lines requirements

8 of the 24 hours must be in courses approved for the licensee’s line of authority. If the licensee holds both life/health and property/casualty lines of authority, then they’ll need to complete 8 hours in life/health and 8 hours in property/casualty courses, with the remaining 8 in other courses.

Flood-specific CE requirements

3 hours of NFIP course

LTC-specific CE requirements

8-hour initial certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training every two years

Annuity-specific CE requirements

One-time, 4-hour course

For more from agentsync

https://agentsync.io/blog/individual-producers/insurance-continuing-education-south-carolina

Regulatory Updates

South Carolina Fingerprinting Process Update Insurance Producers and Bail Bondsman

Effective August 22, 2024, South Carolina made changes to the fingerprinting process for Insurance Producers and Bail Bondsman licenses. - When the fingerprint form and application must be submitted - Companies may not save and reuse ORI numbers/service codes - Any public information containing fingerprint instructions must be removed immediately Please see the attachment for more information.

South Carolina State Of Emergency Due To Hurricane Debby

Effective August 4, 2024, South Carolina’s Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency due to Hurricane Debby. For the next 120 days, nonresident adjusters or motor vehicle physical damage appraisers will be permitted to enter the state to handle adjustments without being required to be licensed in South Carolina. Please see the attachment for more information.

South Carolina Announced 2024 Company Appointment Renewal Dates

Update: September 9, 2024 - Invoice renewals have been turned back on Update: September 6, 2024 - Invoice renewals have been temporarily turned off to research discrepancies On July 25, 2024, South Carolina announced 2024 company appointment renewal dates. - Termination Deadline August 26, 2024 - Invoice Renewal Period September 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024 - Late Renewal Period October 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024

South Carolina Update to Required Additional Information for Pharmacy Benefit Manager Applications

Effective May 24, 2024, South Carolina will be requesting additional information that must be included within the Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) licensing application for resident and nonresident Third Party Administrators. -The phone number and any other contact information provided to pharmacies and pharmacists under SC ST § 38-71-2235(B) through which the pharmacy may: ask questions regarding networks, patient benefits, appeals, and other contractual or service issues and obtain answers during normal business hours within a reasonable time -The notice provided to pharmacies upon the denial of an internal appeal notifying the pharmacy or pharmacist of the right to request an external review of the internal appeal and the supporting documents describing the external review process

South Carolina to Implement New Transaction Type to Process Designated Responsible Licensed Producer (DRLP) Updates

Effective June 7, 2024, South Carolina will implement a new transaction type to process designated responsible licensed producer (DRLP) updates.

South Carolina Implements New Transaction Type to Process Primary Name Updates

Effective May 30, 2024, a new transaction type will be implemented for South Carolina to process individual and business entity primary name updates.

South Carolina Announcement Related to Temporary Adjuster Licensing

On April 22, 2024, South Carolina issued a bulletin to announce the licensing of temporary nonresident adjusters and motor vehicle physical damage appraisers to assist with claims related to the recent storm on April 20, 2024. See attachment for full details.

South Carolina Department of Insurance to Update Individual Adjusters Retaliatory Fees Nonresident Licensing and Nonresident Renewals

Effective February 16, 2024, South Carolina will decrease Adjuster fees as shown below: New Nonresident Adjuster License Fee: $109.00 per transaction New Nonresident Adjuster Renewal Fee: $169.00 per transaction

South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) to Add Pharmacy Services Administrative Organization License Class

On December 15, 2023, South Carolina will be adding Pharmacy Service Administrative Organization License Class.

South Carolina to add new license class Pharmacy Service Administrative Organization (PSAO)

Effective October 13, 2023 South Carolina will add a new license class Pharmacy Service Administrative Organization for business entities.

South Carolina Has Added a Late Appointment Renewal Fee

Effective July 1, 2023, South Carolina has added a late appointment renewal fee of $250 for residents and nonresidents.

South Carolina Announces New Exam Provider

Effective May 1, 2023, SC will have a new exam vendor, Pearson Vue. You may contact Pearson Vue directly at 877-759-5226 or schedule online at https://home.pearsonvue.com/sc/insurance to register for the state licensing exam and/or view exam content outlines.

South Carolina Will No Longer Offer Auto Physical Damage or Auto Liability on Adjuster Licenses

Effective April 28, 2023, South Carolina will no longer offer the lines of authority of Auto Physical Damage and Auto Liability for initial adjuster licenses.

South Carolina Opens Emergency Adjuster Permitting Process

With Hurricane Ian expected to cause damage along the coast of South Carolina, the state will permit nonresident adjusters and motor vehicle damage appraisers to handle claims. No South Carolina license will be required for 60 days from September 29, 2022.

South Carolina Sets Renewal Dates and Fees for 2022

The South Carolina renewal period is Sep 1 - 30. The Late Renewal Periods is Oct 1 - Dec 1, and the Termination Deadline is Aug. 26th.

Securities Industry and Regulatory Council Publishes Playbook

This playbook is meant to help securities professionals better prepare for upcoming changes to the securities industry CE program.

South Carolina Updates CE Exemptions

The following are exempt from CE: Producers licensed for limited lines, nonresidents who met their home state's CE requirements, and licensees that are 65 years old and have been licensed for 25 years.

South Carolina Adds CE Exemption

Insurance Producers with 25 years or more of licensure and are 65 years or older are exempt. If a portion of this licensure was in a different state, appropriate documentation from that state must be provided. .

FAQs

How Do I Get an Insurance License in South Carolina?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the South Carolina insurance exams. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each combined line of insurance you wish to carry. The Property line and Casualty line are combined as one exam. The Lifeline and Accident and Health line are combined as one exam as well. After passing your exams, the next step is to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you passed the test for, be sure to apply for all of those lines.

As of January 1st, 2017, South Carolina requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed.

For more information, call the Department of Insurance at (803) 737-6160 or email the Insurance Department.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in South Carolina?

You’ll first need to take and pass the South Carolina Insurance Adjuster License exams. Depending on the lines of authority you wish to carry, you may need to take more than one exam. Once you have completed all your coursework and passed the examination, you are now ready to apply for your license. Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about three to five (3-5) business days. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.
How do I renew my insurance license in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, insurance licenses expire every two years. The renewal period begins 90 days prior to the expiration date (the last day of your birth month, biennial).

The State of South Carolina requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be in the subject of ethics, eight (8) hours must be in each line of authority, and the remaining eight (8) hours can be in any line of authority.

After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, you may renew your South Carolina insurance license online via the National Insurance Producer Registry. Additionally, paper renewals can be found You may also print a paper renewal form from the South Carolina Department of Insurance. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

There is a fee of $25 per application.
How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in South Carolina?

In the state of South Carolina, all nonresident applicants must apply online via the National Insurance Producer Registry, and pay the license fee of $25. Additionally, any nonresident license holder who meets their home state requirement is exempt from continuing education. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in South Carolina?

South Carolina license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date.

To be eligible for Non-Resident Adjuster License renewal in South Carolina:
The license fee is $80. If you are a resident of a state that charges a fee in excess of $80, your resident state fee will be assessed since fees are retaliatory under South Carolina Law.
Examples of retaliatory fees are: North Carolina – $175 Georgia – $115
If the applicants home state does not require an adjuster examination, then a certificate can be used from another state where the applicant is licensed and has taken and passed an adjuster examination.

South Carolina will grant reciprocal licensing privileges to an applicant who holds an adjuster license by exam in their home state. If an applicant’s home state does not require an exam, then the applicant can qualify with an adjuster license from another state, as long as they passed an exam for that license. Non-Resident Adjusters in South Carolina are only required to complete the Continuing Education (CE) requirements of their DHS.

There is an $80 fee to renew your South Carolina adjuster license via the NIPR.

For more information, contact the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In South Carolina?

Once you have your license, you’ll need to renew it every two years to keep it active. Resident South Carolina adjusters are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including three (3) hours of ethics coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license.

There is an $80 fee to renew your South Carolina adjuster license.

After you complete your renewal application, the South Carolina Department of Insurance will email you once your license renewal has been approved or if you need to submit other documents.