South Carolina Life & Health Insurance License Exam Overview
The South Carolina Life & Health Insurance License Exam is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI). South Carolina offers growing opportunities for insurance professionals, with significant population growth along the coast and in the Charleston/Greenville metropolitan areas.
With no pre-licensing education requirement, South Carolina provides an accessible path to insurance licensing. The state's growing population, strong retiree market, and thriving coastal communities create excellent demand for knowledgeable insurance agents.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Life Exam (InsSC-Life01) | 85 questions, 120 minutes |
| Accident & Health Exam (InsSC-AH02) | 85 questions, 120 minutes |
| Combined Life, Accident & Health (InsSC-LAH03) | 140 questions, 150 minutes |
| Passing Score | Scaled score of 70 (0-100 scale, NOT a percentage) |
| Testing Vendor | Pearson VUE |
| Exam Fee | $59 per exam |
| Pre-licensing Education | Not required |
| Exam Format | Computer-based, multiple-choice |
Combination exam: South Carolina offers separate Life (85 questions) and Accident & Health (85 questions) exams, plus a combined Life, Accident & Health exam (140 questions, 150 minutes). The combined exam reports one score, and you must pass the complete exam to be licensed for either line. Each exam is divided into a general (national) section and a South Carolina state-law section; if you pass one section but fail the other, you must retake the entire exam.
Important on scoring: Pearson VUE reports the passing score as 70 on a 0-100 scaled-score range. This is a standardized scaled score, NOT the percentage of questions answered correctly. A small number of unscored pretest items are mixed in and do not count toward your score.
Note: On May 1, 2023, Pearson VUE became the exam vendor for South Carolina insurance licensing (replacing the previous provider). You can take exams at a Pearson VUE test center or via online proctored testing (OnVUE).
Why Get Licensed in South Carolina?
- Rapid population growth — Migration from Northeast and Midwest states
- No pre-licensing requirement — Start preparing immediately without education courses
- Charleston market — Healthcare, tech, and tourism industries driving growth
- Greenville hub — Manufacturing and corporate headquarters
- Coastal communities — Strong retiree and vacation home market
- Myrtle Beach — Tourism and seasonal residents need coverage
- Affordable licensing — $59 per exam, no pre-licensing course required
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Ready to begin studying? Our comprehensive, completely free South Carolina Life & Health exam prep covers everything you need to pass.
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Life Insurance Fundamentals (30-35%)
Types of Life Insurance:
- Term Life Insurance (level, decreasing, renewable, convertible)
- Whole Life Insurance (traditional, limited pay, modified, single premium)
- Universal Life Insurance (fixed, indexed, variable)
- Variable Life Insurance (requires securities license)
- Group Life Insurance
South Carolina Policy Provisions (Title 38, Chapter 63):
| Provision | South Carolina Standard |
|---|---|
| Grace Period | 31 days minimum |
| Incontestability Period | 2 years |
| Suicide Clause | 2 years |
| Free Look Period | 10 days (20 for replacements, 31 for direct response) |
| Misstatement of Age | Adjusted benefits |
| Reinstatement | 3 years |
2. Health Insurance Fundamentals (30-35%)
Major Medical Coverage:
- Deductibles, copays, coinsurance
- Out-of-pocket maximums
- Network types (HMO, PPO, EPO, POS)
- Essential health benefits under ACA
South Carolina Health Programs:
- Healthcare.gov — South Carolina uses the federal marketplace for ACA plans
- Healthy Connections (Medicaid) — South Carolina's Medicaid program
- Partners for Healthy Children (CHIP) — Children in families up to 208% FPL
- Medicare Supplement Insurance — Standardized Medigap plans
Disability and Long-Term Care:
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Long-term care insurance requirements (8-hour initial training)
- SC Long-term care partnership program
- LTC continuing education requirements
3. Annuities (15-20%)
- Fixed annuities (traditional, indexed)
- Variable annuities (requires FINRA Series 6 or 7)
- Immediate vs. deferred annuities
- Accumulation and annuitization phases
- Surrender charges and free withdrawal provisions
- South Carolina annuity suitability requirements
4. South Carolina Insurance Code (15-20%)
Governing Law: South Carolina Code of Laws Title 38 governs all insurance activities in the state. Key chapters include:
- Chapter 63: Individual Life Insurance
- Chapter 65: Group Life Insurance
- Chapter 69: Annuity Contracts
- Chapter 71: Accident and Health Insurance
- Chapter 77: Long-Term Care Insurance
Key Regulatory Topics:
- Unfair trade practices and unfair claims practices
- Replacement regulations
- Advertising guidelines
- Privacy requirements
- Anti-discrimination rules
- Prompt payment of claims
- Producer licensing requirements
Key Policy Provisions (Section 38-63-220):
| Provision | SC Requirement |
|---|---|
| Grace Period | Not less than 31 days |
| Free Look (standard) | Not less than 10 days |
| Free Look (replacement) | Not less than 20 days |
| Free Look (direct response) | Not less than 31 days |
| Reinstatement Period | 3 years after default |
5. Ethics and Producer Responsibilities (10-15%)
- Fiduciary duty to clients
- Needs analysis and suitability determinations
- Disclosure requirements
- Premium handling and trust accounts
- Reporting misconduct
- Client confidentiality
- Continuing education obligations
🎯 Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the South Carolina Life & Health exam.
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Life insurance products and provisions | 10-12 |
| Week 2 | Health insurance products and programs | 10-12 |
| Week 3 | Annuities and retirement products | 8-10 |
| Week 4 | SC Title 38 regulations and ethics | 10-12 |
| Week 5 | Practice exams and review | 10-15 |
Total recommended study time: 50-60 hours
Since South Carolina does not require pre-licensing education, you can begin self-study immediately. Kaplan, ExamFX, and other providers offer optional prep courses that many candidates find helpful.
South Carolina-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know South Carolina Code Title 38
The exam heavily tests South Carolina-specific regulations:
- Chapter 63 — Individual life insurance provisions
- Chapter 71 — Accident and health insurance
- Section 38-63-220 — Required policy provisions
- Regulation 69.50 — Continuing education requirements
2. Master These South Carolina Numbers
| Topic | Number to Remember |
|---|---|
| Grace period | 31 days minimum |
| Free look (standard) | 10 days |
| Free look (replacement) | 20 days |
| Free look (direct response) | 31 days |
| Incontestability | 2 years |
| Reinstatement | 3 years |
| CE requirement | 24 hours/2 years (8 per line + 3 ethics) |
| Passing score | Scaled 70 (not a percentage) |
| Exam fee | $59 |
3. Understand South Carolina Health Programs
Know the differences between:
- Healthcare.gov — Federal marketplace for ACA plans
- Healthy Connections — South Carolina's Medicaid program
- Partners for Healthy Children — CHIP for children up to 208% FPL
- How these programs coordinate with private insurance
Scheduling and Taking the Exam
How to Register:
- Online: Pearson VUE SC Insurance
- Phone: 877-759-5226
Testing Options:
- In-Person: Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers throughout South Carolina
- Online Proctored (OnVUE): Take from home with webcam and stable internet
What to Bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID with signature
- Name must match exactly as registered
- Arrive early for check-in procedures
Retake Policy:
- Can schedule a retake 24 hours after a failed attempt
- Each exam may be taken a maximum of six (6) times in any one-year period
- $59 fee for each attempt
- Passing results are valid for one year (apply for your license within 12 months)
Fingerprinting Requirements
Beginning January 2017, all resident producers must submit fingerprints:
- Statewide criminal background check (SLED)
- National criminal background check (FBI)
- Submit through IdentoGO
- Fee: $50.50
- Only required once (not for renewals)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating the exam — Even without pre-licensing, the exam is comprehensive
- Confusing free look periods — Know the differences (10, 20, and 31 days)
- Ignoring SC-specific laws — Title 38 questions are heavily tested
- Skipping health insurance — It carries equal weight to life insurance
- Not managing time — 120 minutes for 85 questions (or 150 minutes for the 140-question combined exam) requires a steady pace
- Cramming — Spread study over 4-5 weeks for best retention
After Passing Your Exam
- Complete fingerprinting — Through IdentoGO ($50.50, service code SC920124Z)
- Wait 48 hours — License applications can be made 2 days after passing so results upload to NIPR
- Submit license application — Through NIPR
- Pay the license fee — $25 per license type to the SC DOI, plus a small NIPR transaction fee
- Receive your license — Typically processed within 2-4 weeks
- Affiliate with an insurer — Contract with insurance companies
- Begin selling — Your license is valid for 2 years
Timeline: Passing results are valid for one year, so submit your application within 12 months of passing the exam.
Continuing Education Requirements
To maintain your South Carolina insurance license:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| CE Hours | 24 hours every 2 years |
| Ethics Requirement | 3 of 24 hours must be in ethics |
| Line-Specific | 8 hours minimum in each line held |
| Long-Term Care | 8-hour initial + ongoing training |
| Compliance Period | Based on birth month (even/odd years) |
| Approved Lines | Life/Health, Property/Casualty, Ethics |
SC Regulation 69.50 details the continuing education requirements for insurance producers in South Carolina.
Multiple Lines: If you hold both Property/Casualty and Life/Health lines, you must complete at least 8 hours in each line plus 3 hours of ethics.
2026 South Carolina Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Pearson VUE is the current exam vendor (took over on May 1, 2023)
- Exam fee is $59 per exam; passing score is a scaled 70 (not a raw percentage)
- OnVUE online proctored testing available
- Fingerprinting required for all new resident producers
- Updated telehealth coverage requirements
- SCDOI electronic application processing through NIPR
- Healthy Connections Medicaid coordination requirements
Cost Summary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Exam Fee (per exam) | $59 |
| Fingerprinting (IdentoGO) | $50.50 |
| License Fee (SC DOI) | $25 + NIPR transaction fee (~$5.60) |
| Pre-licensing Course (optional) | $149+ |
| Total (without course) | ~$140 |
| Total (with course) | ~$290+ |
Contact Information
South Carolina Department of Insurance:
- Address: Capitol Center, 1201 Main St. Suite 1000, Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: 803-737-6160
- Website: doi.sc.gov
- Licensing & CE: doi.sc.gov/354/Licensing-CE
Pearson VUE:
- Website: pearsonvue.com/sc/insurance
- Phone: 877-759-5226
Start Your South Carolina Insurance Career Today
South Carolina offers an accessible and affordable path to insurance licensing with no pre-licensing education requirements. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt and begin serving the insurance needs of South Carolina's growing population.
Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ South Carolina-specific regulations
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
- ✅ AI-powered study assistance
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