
South Carolina Insurance License

Licensing requirements for South Carolina insurance professionals and companies.
This page provides an overview of insurance licensing in South Carolina for individuals and companies. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.
Companies that provide insurance producer services in South Carolina must apply for a license prior to doing business. Depending on the lines of authority offered by the entity and the types of services offered, multiple firm licenses may be required.
Before applying, firms should ensure that the licensed individual to be appointed agent in charge has the necessary licenses. Firms should also gather proof of incorporation, or foreign qualification for out-of-state firms, in anticipation of application requirements.
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- South Carolina Financial Services Company Licenses
- South Carolina Individual Financial Services Licenses
Company Licenses
South Carolina Financial Services Company Licenses
South Carolina Agency License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Due: | By January 31 of even-numbered years. |
South Carolina Agency License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Due: | By January 31 of even-numbered years. |
South Carolina Collection Agency License
Not required
Debt Collection Agency licensure is not required on the State level in South Carolina.
South Carolina does not currently issue licenses for collection agencies.
South Carolina Insurance Agency License
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
This section applies to insurance firms that are applying for a license in South Carolina for the first time.
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
South Carolina Motor Vehicle Rental Companies License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $290 |
Due: | By December 31 of even-numbered years. |
South Carolina Motor Vehicle Rental Companies License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $290 |
Due: | By December 31 of even-numbered years. |
South Carolina Pharmacy Benefit Manager License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $500 |
Due: | By March 1 of even-numbered years. |
South Carolina Pharmacy Benefit Manager License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $500 |
Due: | By March 1 of even-numbered years. |
South Carolina Portable Electronics License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Due: | By July 31 of odd-numbered years. |
South Carolina Portable Electronics License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Due: | By July 31 of odd-numbered years. |
South Carolina Premium Service Company License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $5,000 |
Due: | Annually by March 1. |
South Carolina Premium Service Company License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $5,000 |
Due: | Annually by March 1. |
South Carolina Sales Finance Company License
Not required
Sales Finance Company licensure is not required on the State level in South Carolina.
Entities that are involved solely in retail sales agreement transactions are not required to be licensed by the CFD.
More information: South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions - Consumer Finance DivisionSouth Carolina Self-Service Storage Facilities License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Due: | By April 30 of odd-numbered years. |
South Carolina Self-Service Storage Facilities License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 |
Due: | By April 30 of odd-numbered years. |
South Carolina Service Contract Provider License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
South Carolina Service Contract Provider License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
South Carolina Supervised Lender Company License
Agency: | South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions - Consumer Finance Division |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Yes |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Yes |
Initial Registration
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $300 application fee + $15 credit report fee |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $600 |
Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Supplemental Reporting
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually by April 15. |
Law: | |
Notes: | On or before April fifteenth each year every licensee shall file with the board a composite annual report in the form prescribed by the board relating to all supervised loans made by him. The report shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
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South Carolina Third Party Administrator License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $500 |
Due: | Annually by March 1. |
South Carolina Third Party Administrator License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $500 |
Due: | Annually by March 1. |
South Carolina Utilization Review Agent Registration
Initial Registration
Form: | File an Additional Questionnaire form with the department and file an online application through NIPR. |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,200 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | File an Additional Questionnaire form with the department and file an online application through NIPR. |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $800 |
Due: | Biennially by the date of issuance. |
Individual Licenses
South Carolina Individual Financial Services Licenses
South Carolina Adjuster License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Depends on the home state of the applicant. See this page for details. |
South Carolina Adjuster License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $80 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $160 |
Due: | By August 30 of odd-numbered years. |
South Carolina Appraiser License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $80 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $160 |
Due: | By October 31 of odd-numbered years. |
South Carolina Appraiser License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Yes |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $80 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $160 |
Due: | By October 31 of odd-numbered years. |
South Carolina Individual Insurance Producer License
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $25 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $25 |
Due: | Biennially by the end of the licensee's birth month. |
South Carolina Insurance Agent License
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
This section applies to insurance agents that are applying for a license in South Carolina for the first time.
Agency Fee: | From $0 to $400 depending on license type |
South Carolina Insurance Producer License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $25 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $75 |
Due: | Biennially by the end of the licensee's birth month. |
South Carolina Insurance Producer License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $25 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $75 |
Due: | Biennially by the end of the licensee's birth month. |
South Carolina Professional Bondsman License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $400 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $2,000 |
Due: | Annually by June 30. |
South Carolina Public Insurance Adjuster License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Depends on the home state of the applicant. See this page for details. |
South Carolina Public Insurance Adjuster License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $80 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $160 |
Due: | By October 31 of even-numbered years. |
South Carolina Runner Bondsman License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Due: | Annually by June 30. |
South Carolina Surety Bondsman License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Due: | Annually by June 30. |
South Carolina Surplus Lines Broker License - Non-Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $400 |
Due: | By May 30 of even-numbered years. |
South Carolina Surplus Lines Broker License - Resident
Agency: | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $400 |
Due: | By May 30 of even-numbered years. |
Learn about insurance licensing in other states:
Adjuster - A person or firm that is paid to adjust, investigate, and negotiate claim settlements. There are 3 categories of adjusters: company, independent, and public. Company adjusters work for insurance companies and investigate claims on behalf of the company. Independent adjusters investigate claims on a contractual basis for insurance companies. Public adjusters investigate claims on behalf of claimants, usually to determine the amount of money that can be claimed.
Agent in Charge - A licensed individual responsible for the supervision of all individuals within an insurance agency. The agent in charge must be licensed in the same lines as the agency.
Insurance Agent - Insurance agents act as intermediaries between the insurance company and policyholders. Agents can be either captive or independent. Captive agents represent a single insurance company, while independent agents represent multiple insurers.
Insurance Broker - Individuals who sell insurance policies while representing the interests of the buyer. Brokers are typically independent intermediaries without an insurance company affiliation.
Insurance Producer - May be used to refer to either individual insurance agents and brokers or insurance agencies and brokerages.
Managing General Agent - An agent or broker that is involved in underwriting and has other areas of authority normally handled by insurers. MGAs are typically involved in unusual lines of coverage or in geographically prohibitive areas.
Surplus Lines Insurer - An insurance carrier that takes on risks that a licensed carrier is unwilling to insure. Surplus lines insurers do not have access to state guaranty funds and are less tightly regulated by state governing bodies.
Third Party Administrator - An organization that manages group insurance policies and works with the employer and insurance carrier to process claims, handle loss control, and provide risk management and consulting services.
Title Agent - Title agents sell insurance that protects real estate owners against loss of ownership of a property due to a legal claim.
Viatical Settlement Provider - A company that purchases life insurance policies at a discount from individuals seeking immediately available funds.
Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (Big “I”)
Advocacy group of independent insurance brokers and agents.
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
Professional association that advocates for favorable regulatory conditions for insurance agents and financial advisors.
National Association of Insurance Companies (NAIC)
A standard setting and regulatory support organization that is governed by state insurance regulators.
National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA)
Professional association that provides education and advocacy for insurance agents throughout the United States.
National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR)
An affiliate of the NAIC that provides streamlined and uniform producer licensing processes.
