South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance License Exam Overview
The South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance License Exam is administered by Prometric on behalf of the South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI). South Carolina's coastal location along the Atlantic creates significant hurricane and flood exposure, while its growing population of over 5 million residents drives strong demand for insurance professionals.
Passing this exam qualifies you to sell property insurance, auto insurance, liability coverage, and related products throughout South Carolina—a state with extensive coastline, rapidly growing coastal communities, and weather risks that make P&C insurance expertise essential.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 110 multiple-choice |
| Scored Questions | 110 |
| Time Limit | 2 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% (77 correct answers) |
| Testing Vendor | Prometric |
| Exam Fee | $45 |
| Pre-licensing Education | 40 hours required |
Why Get P&C Licensed in South Carolina?
- Growing population — Over 5 million and rapidly expanding
- Extensive coastline — Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head markets
- Hurricane exposure — High demand for specialized coverage
- Tourism industry — Vacation rentals and commercial opportunities
- Competitive compensation — Strong market for coastal expertise
Start Your FREE South Carolina P&C Exam Prep
Ready to begin studying? Our comprehensive, completely free South Carolina P&C exam prep covers everything you need to pass.
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Property Insurance (30%)
Homeowners Insurance:
- HO-2, HO-3, HO-4, HO-5, HO-6, HO-8 policy forms
- Coverage A (Dwelling), B (Other Structures), C (Personal Property)
- Coverage D (Loss of Use), E (Personal Liability)
- Dwelling fire policies
South Carolina-Specific Property Topics:
- South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association (SCWHUA)
- Hurricane deductibles (percentage-based)
- Flood insurance requirements (NFIP)
- Coastal property coverage
- Named storm deductibles
- Beach and erosion coverage
Commercial Property:
- Building and personal property coverage forms
- Business income coverage
- Equipment breakdown
- Inland marine coverage
2. Liability Insurance (30%)
Personal Liability:
- Homeowners liability (Coverage E)
- Personal umbrella policies
- Medical payments coverage
Commercial Liability:
- Commercial General Liability (CGL)
- Products and completed operations
- Professional liability (E&O)
- Workers' compensation requirements
South Carolina Workers' Compensation:
- Required for employers with 4+ employees
- State Workers' Compensation Commission oversight
- Private market competitive
- Self-insurance options available
3. Auto Insurance (25%)
South Carolina Auto Insurance Requirements:
| Coverage | Minimum Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $50,000 |
| Property Damage | $25,000 |
Additional Auto Topics:
- Personal Auto Policy (PAP) coverage parts
- South Carolina financial responsibility law
- Uninsured motorist coverage (required)
- Underinsured motorist coverage
- SR-22 requirements
- Commercial auto insurance
4. South Carolina Insurance Code and Regulations (10%)
Title 38 Key Provisions:
- Producer licensing requirements
- Unfair trade practices
- Unfair claims settlement practices
- Policy cancellation and nonrenewal rules
- Advertising guidelines
Licensing Requirements:
- Pre-licensing education: 40 hours
- Continuing education: 24 hours every 2 years
- Ethics requirement included in CE
- Background check and fingerprinting required
5. Ethics and Professional Conduct (5%)
- Fiduciary duties to insureds
- Premium handling requirements
- Claims reporting obligations
- Privacy and confidentiality
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Property insurance fundamentals | 10-12 |
| Week 2-3 | Liability insurance | 10-12 |
| Week 3-4 | Auto insurance and SC requirements | 10-12 |
| Week 4 | South Carolina regulations (Title 38) | 8-10 |
| Week 5 | Practice exams and review | 10-12 |
Total recommended study time: 50-60 hours
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the South Carolina P&C exam.
South Carolina-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know South Carolina Auto Minimums
South Carolina requires 25/50/25 liability coverage:
- $25,000 per person bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident bodily injury
- $25,000 property damage
2. Master Hurricane Coverage
South Carolina's hurricane exposure is significant:
- SCWHUA — Wind and Hail Underwriting Association for coastal risks
- Hurricane deductibles — Percentage-based (1-5% of dwelling coverage)
- Named storm deductibles — Triggered by named hurricanes
- Flood insurance — Separate NFIP policy required
3. Understand Coastal Property Risks
South Carolina coastal market considerations:
- Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head zones
- Vacation rental coverage needs
- Beach erosion considerations
- Wind vs. flood coverage distinctions
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | South Carolina Requirement |
|---|---|
| Auto minimums | 25/50/25 |
| WC threshold | 4+ employees |
| Pre-licensing | 40 hours |
| CE requirement | 24 hours/2 years |
| Passing score | 70% |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring hurricane risks — South Carolina is hurricane-prone
- Confusing wind vs. flood coverage — Critical distinction
- Skipping SCWHUA — Coastal residual market is exam topic
- Not knowing auto minimums — South Carolina is 25/50/25
- Not practicing timed exams — 2 hours for 110 questions
- Cramming last minute — Spread study over 4-5 weeks
After Passing Your Exam
- Apply for license through South Carolina Department of Insurance
- Complete fingerprinting — Required for all applicants
- Pay license fee — Application fee required
- Affiliate with insurer — Get appointed by carrier
- Maintain CE compliance — 24 hours every 2 years
- Begin selling — Your license is valid for 2 years
2026 South Carolina Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Hurricane coverage rate changes
- Coastal property insurance updates
- Auto insurance rate adjustments
- Enhanced consumer protection regulations
Start Your South Carolina P&C Insurance Career Today
The South Carolina P&C license opens doors to a growing market with significant coastal and hurricane exposure. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
Our free study materials include:
- Complete topic coverage
- Practice questions with explanations
- South Carolina-specific regulations (Title 38)
- Study guides and summaries
- AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.