Insurance Agent in South Carolina
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, South Carolina.
Jobs (SC)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become an insurance agent in South Carolina
To become a licensed Insurance Agent in South Carolina, you must meet several requirements overseen by the South Carolina Department of Insurance. While pre-licensing education is not strictly mandated, it is highly recommended to prepare for the South Carolina Insurance Producer Licensing Exam. After passing the exam, you must submit an application, undergo a fingerprint-based background check, and be at least 18 years old. Licenses renew every two years, requiring 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics. South Carolina also has reciprocity agreements for nonresident agents.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Carolina. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist South Carolina requirements
| Licensing body | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
| State license | Required |
| Education | South Carolina does not formally require pre-licensing education, but it is highly recommended. Some sources indicate a 20-hour pre-licensing course per line of authority (e.g., Life, Accident & Health, Property, Casualty) or a 40-hour course for combined lines (e.g., Life & Health, Property & Casualty) is typical for those who choose to take one. |
| Exam | South Carolina Insurance Producer Licensing Exam (administered by Pearson VUE) ($59) |
| Application fee | $25 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 24.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | South Carolina may offer reciprocity for non-resident brokers if home state requirements are similar.Reciprocal states: South Carolina may enter into reciprocal agreements with other states for nonresident broker licensing, provided the other state's licensing requirements are as liberal as South Carolina's. Non-resident producers are generally exempt from South Carolina CE requirements if they meet their home state's CE requirements and are in good standing. |
| Notes | Minimum age: 18 years old. Requires fingerprinting and a background check (SLED report). CE requirements include 3 hours of ethics. If holding multiple lines of authority, a minimum of 8 hours must be taken in each line. A maximum of 18 excess CE hours can be carried over to the next renewal cycle, but ethics hours do not carry over. |
Source: South Carolina Department of Insurance
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to South Carolina? See whether South Carolina recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Insurance Agent license reciprocity guide.
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleSouth Carolina license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- warningElevated AI disruption risk
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