Insurance Agent in South Dakota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SD. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$61,630

trending_up +2.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Dakota.

engineering

2,010

Jobs (SD)

monitoring Stable

+3.7%

10-yr job growth

payments

$110

Licensing fees

schedule

1-2 weeks for exam scheduling, a few days for license issuance

Time to complete

route How to become an insurance agent in South Dakota

To become a licensed Insurance Agent in South Dakota, individuals must be at least 18 years old and pass the South Dakota Insurance Producer Licensing Exam, administered by Pearson VUE. While no pre-licensing education is formally required, it is highly recommended. After passing the exam, applicants must submit fingerprints for a background check and then apply for the license through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), paying a $25 application fee. South Dakota offers reciprocity with all other states for non-resident licenses, and continuing education requirements are 10 hours per major line of authority every two years, with a maximum of 20 hours for those holding both Life/Health and Property/Casualty licenses.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $46,810

25th percentile $54,060

50th (median) $61,630

75th percentile $98,610

90th (experienced) $123,990

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist South Dakota requirements

Licensing body	South Dakota Division of Insurance
State license	Required
Education	No pre-licensing education required.
Exam	South Dakota Insurance Producer Licensing Exam ($85)
Application fee	$25
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	10.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 18. Requires a background check (fingerprinting) after passing the state exam and at least one day before applying for the license. CE is 10 hours per major line of authority, with a maximum of 20 hours required if holding both Life/Health and Property/Casualty licenses. Specific training is required for Annuity (one-time 4-hour), Long-Term Care (8-hour initial, 4-hour ongoing), and Flood Insurance (one-time 3-hour) if selling these products.

Source: South Dakota Division of Insurance

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+3.7%

Average

Annual openings

47,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

568,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.34/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleSouth Dakota license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an insurance agent career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become an insurance agent in South Dakota? expand_more

To become an insurance agent in South Dakota, you need to complete the required education (No pre-licensing education required.), pass the South Dakota Insurance Producer Licensing Exam, and submit your application ($25 fee).

Do I need a license to work as an insurance agent in South Dakota? expand_more

A state license is required in South Dakota. South Dakota Division of Insurance handles insurance agent licensing — the South Dakota Insurance Producer Licensing Exam is part of the process.

What do insurance agents earn in South Dakota? expand_more

South Dakota insurance agents bring home a median salary of $61,630. — within a few percent of the $60,370 national figure. Wages range from $46,810 (10th percentile) up to $123,990 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get insurance agent certified in South Dakota? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($85) and application fee ($25). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

How many months or years does insurance agent certification take in South Dakota? expand_more

Expect to spend 1-2 weeks for exam scheduling, a few days for license issuance from start to finish in South Dakota — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

Does South Dakota require continuing education for insurance agents? expand_more

South Dakota requires 10.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your insurance agent license.