How to Get Your South Carolina Insurance License in 2026
South Carolina has no mandatory pre-licensing requirement. Study with exam prep (recommended), pass the Pearson VUE exam, and apply. Compare the best SC insurance exam prep courses below.
Course Cost
$0 – $300
Time to License
2 – 3 weeks
Avg SC Salary
$57,000/yr
Exam Only
No pre-lic required
No Mandatory Pre-Licensing: South Carolina does not require pre-licensing education. Exam prep is optional but strongly recommended to pass the Pearson VUE exam on your first attempt.
Top 3 South Carolina Insurance Exam Prep Courses
1. ExamFXBest Value
Starting at $169.95. 94–99% pass rate claim. Pass guarantee. Three tiers: Self-Study, Video, and Live Online. Nationally trusted exam prep provider.
From $169.95
L&H Self-Study
2. A.D. BankerPass Guarantee
Silver $169.95 / Gold $196.90 / Platinum $296.85. Pass Guarantee on every tier. Industry-leading insurance educator.
From $169.95
Silver Package
3. Xcel SolutionsProven System
3-part system: Course + Prep Review + Exam Simulator. Prepared to Pass Promise on Premier. L&H and P&C tracks available.
From $199
L&H Standard
Best South Carolina Insurance Exam Prep Courses
All 5 schools are South Carolina SCDOI-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
WebCE
Best ValueStarting at
$109.95
- Lowest price: SC exam prep from $109.95
- Exam Prep Only -- SC has no mandatory pre-licensing requirement
- L&H, P&C, and Personal Lines tracks available
- 90-day access with extension option
Available Packages (5)
Life & Health -- Exam Prep Complete
- SC Life & Health exam prep
- Exam Tutor unlimited practice tests
- Flash Tutor flashcard drill tool
- SC state-specific content
Kaplan Financial Education
Most ComprehensiveStarting at
$139
- Exam Prep Only -- no pre-licensing required in SC
- Most comprehensive course library
- Multiple tiers including live instructor option
- Established industry brand since 1938
Available Packages (3)
OnDemand -- Self-Study
- SC exam prep
- On-demand video lectures
- Practice exams
- Study tools
ExamFX
Best ValueStarting at
$169.95
- Exam Prep Only -- SC has no mandatory pre-licensing requirement
- Starting at $169.95 -- most affordable SC exam prep
- 94-99% pass rate claim with pass guarantee
- Three tiers: Self-Study, Video, and Live Online
Available Packages (4)
Life & Health -- Self-Study
- SC L&H exam prep
- Online exam simulations
- Instructor support
- Pass guarantee
A.D. Banker
Pass GuaranteeStarting at
$169.95
- Exam Prep Only -- no pre-licensing required in South Carolina
- Three tiers: Silver ($169.95), Gold ($196.90), Platinum ($296.85)
- Pass Guarantee on every package
- Industry-leading insurance educator
Available Packages (3)
Silver -- Online Course
- Full online exam prep
- Unlimited chapter exams
- Simulated licensing exams
- Pass Guarantee
- PDF study manual
Xcel Solutions
Proven SystemStarting at
$199
- Exam Prep Only -- no pre-licensing required in SC
- 3-part system: Course + Prep Review + Exam Simulator
- Prepared to Pass Promise on Premier
- L&H and P&C tracks available
Available Packages (2)
L&H Standard
- SC L&H exam prep
- Exam prep review
- Exam simulator
- Study tools
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
How Much Do South Carolina Insurance Agents Earn?
SC Average
$57,000/yr
Source: Salary.com (2026)
Top Producers
$85,000–$125,000+
Independent agents in Columbia, Charleston
Top South Carolina Insurance Markets
How to Get Your South Carolina Insurance License
Prepare with an Exam Prep Course (Recommended)
Pre-licensing is not required in South Carolina, but exam prep is strongly recommended. Use ExamFX, A.D. Banker, or Xcel Solutions to maximize your first-attempt pass rate on the Pearson VUE exam.
Submit Your License Application to SC DOI
Apply through the South Carolina DOI at doi.sc.gov or via NIPR. Application fee is approximately $40–$50.
Complete Background Check
A criminal background check is required. Follow current SC DOI instructions at doi.sc.gov for the approved process.
Schedule and Pass the Pearson VUE Exam
Schedule your exam through Pearson VUE at pearsonvue.com/sc/insurance. Exam fee is $44. A score of 70% is required to pass.
Receive Your License and Get Appointed
Once your application is approved and you pass the exam, your license is issued. Get appointed by a carrier or agency to legally sell insurance in South Carolina.
SC Insurance License FAQ
Does South Carolina require pre-licensing education for insurance agents?
No. South Carolina does not require mandatory pre-licensing education. You can sit for the Pearson VUE state exam without completing any coursework. However, exam prep is strongly recommended — the SC insurance exam covers complex topics and candidates who study with a structured course perform significantly better on their first attempt.
How much does it cost to get a South Carolina insurance license?
Total costs are approximately $150–$350: optional exam prep course ($0–$300), Pearson VUE exam fee ($44 per attempt), and SCDOI application fee (~$40–$50). South Carolina is one of the more affordable states to get licensed in.
What exam does South Carolina use for insurance licensing?
South Carolina uses Pearson VUE for all insurance licensing exams. Schedule online at pearsonvue.com/sc/insurance. The exam fee is $44 per attempt and a score of 70% is required to pass.
How long does it take to get a South Carolina insurance license?
Without mandatory pre-licensing, the process can be completed in 2–3 weeks: 1–2 weeks of exam prep study (recommended), a few days to schedule and pass the Pearson VUE exam, and approximately 1 week for application processing.
How much do insurance agents make in South Carolina?
South Carolina insurance agents earn an average of $52,000–$65,000 per year. Entry-level agents may start at $30,000–$45,000. Experienced independent agents in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville can earn $80,000–$120,000+ with established books.
What lines of authority are available in South Carolina?
South Carolina offers Life, Accident & Health, Property, Casualty, and Personal Lines licenses. Since there is no pre-licensing requirement, you can pursue multiple lines by simply passing the exam for each.
What is the passing score for the South Carolina insurance exam?
A score of 70% is required to pass all South Carolina insurance licensing exams administered by Pearson VUE. Results are available immediately after completing the exam at the test center.
Is fingerprinting required for a South Carolina insurance license?
A background check is required. Check the SC DOI website at doi.sc.gov for current fingerprinting and background check requirements and approved vendors.
How do I renew my South Carolina insurance license?
South Carolina insurance licenses renew on a 2-year cycle. You must complete 24 CE hours per renewal period, including 3 ethics hours. Renew via the SC DOI portal at doi.sc.gov.
Does South Carolina offer insurance license reciprocity?
Yes. South Carolina participates in NAIC non-resident reciprocity. Producers holding an active resident license in their home state can apply for a SC non-resident license via NIPR without retaking the South Carolina exam.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.