How to pass the South Carolina Insurance Licensing Exam

preparing for south carolina insurance license exam

If you’re considering getting an insurance license in the state of South Carolina you probably have a lot of questions about where to go, who to talk to, and what to do.

You’re in luck: America’s Professor has compiled helpful information and resources into a single comprehensive site, where you’ll find all of the answers you need.

Below you’ll find sample questions similar to the ones you’d see on an insurance licensing exam, information about test format and scoring, prep course and insurance test pricing, testing locations, tips for how to fully prepare yourself for the exam, and more.

We’re committed to your success—that’s why we provide you with the best and most up-to-date information available. Our courses help prepare you for all types of state insurance licensing exams, whether your goal is to become a licensed property & casualty insurance agent for the first time or you’re looking to sell additional products like life and health insurance.


Read on and enroll today!

 

What kind of questions do they put on the South Carolina insurance test?

All of the questions on the South Carolina insurance exam are multiple choice. There are no fill-in or essay questions, which means no need to memorize long-winded answers.

For example:

South Carolina sample question

The multiple choice tests tend to focus heavily on definitions (terminology) and numbers (dollar amounts and number of days).

Exams are drawn from a large pool of questions, which means the questions on your exam will not be the exact same ones as the person sitting next to you. If you retake the exam you should expect to see very few of the same questions you saw the first time.

Students report that the exams vary greatly in terms of the number of questions on any given topic, and that the exams tend to be broken up in the following way:

  • Around 1/3 of the questions are terminology (definitional) questions
  • Around 1/3 are number/day questions
  • Around 1/3 are short story problems, in which you must apply the knowledge you’ve gained in your pre-licensing course to reason through a practical situation

 

What score do I need to pass the South Carolina insurance exam?

South Carolina requires a score of 70 to pass each exam. The exam consists of a mix of both national and state questions.

You will receive a score report immediately after completing the exam indicating whether you passed or failed. If you pass you’ll receive a letter that provides you with a performance summary. Note that it will not provide detailed information about which questions you answered correctly or incorrectly.

 

Are questions grouped by category?

No, questions and topics are randomly scrambled. Our students have never reported this to be a problem.

 

What insurance exams are given in South Carolina and what do they cost?

How many questions are on the South Carolina insurance exam?

The South Carolina license exam Test Content Outline (TCO) provided by Pearson VUE (effective May 1st, 2023) gives us the following breakdown for each exam:

Almost all of the single-line exams will have 80-85 questions and the combo exams (e.g., PC or LAH) which have 140-145 questions:

  • 15 Experimental Questions
  • 30 State-Specific Questions
  • 100 National/General Content Questions

Experimental questions do not count towards your score. You will not know what questions are real or experimental questions when taking your exam. It’s very possible the pretest questions will not even be covered in the Test Content Outline. It’s very important to know that these pretest questions will be in your exam so you don’t start second guessing yourself when you see a question that you have no idea how to answer (make your best guess and stay calm!).

 

Where can I take the South Carolina insurance exam?

Pearson VUE (877-759-5226) provides computer-based test administration at several testing centers throughout South Carolina (e.x., Columbia, Beaufort, Bennettsville, Florence, Greenville, Granitesville, Myrtle Beach and North Charleston) and also online. Click here to locate a testing center near you or here to sign up online.

 

How do I sign up to take the South Carolina insurance exam?

You must register for your exam by completing a registration form online at home.pearsonvue.com/sc/insurance or calling 877-759-5226.

 

What if I fail the South Carolina insurance exam?

If you fail the exam you will receive a diagnostic report that shows where you did well and where you fell short on each section of the exam. Note that the report will not tell you specifically which questions you answered incorrectly.

Test takers who pass one section of the examination and fail the other need to retake the entire examination.

You must wait 24 hours before scheduling a reexamination. Note that you will be charged an additional test fee of $59 for each subsequent time you take the test.

 

How much is the South Carolina license fee?

The South Carolina Department of Insurance charges $25 per license type (ex. Property and Casualty insurance license, or Life & Health, etc.).

 

How do I sign up for the South Carolina fingerprinting and what is the fee?

After you have applied for your resident producer license, you will receive an email with the directions on how to schedule a fingerprint appointment (more information and FAQs here). Fingerprinting/background checks usually cost ~$50.

 

Which South Carolina insurance test is the toughest?

Each insurance licensing exam presents its own challenges. The Property insurance exam is generally easier than the Casualty insurance exam, since property insurance deals with issues that are easy to understand, like fire, floods, earthquakes, etc.

Casualty insurance is a more conceptual topic dealing with issues like protection against lawsuits. These more conceptual topics tend to be more difficult for students to grasp, particularly if they have never personally dealt with a lawsuit or other issues that the Liability pre-licensing courses cover.

Overall, expect the South Carolina exam to be challenging. Put yourself on a strict schedule as you do your exam prep work, and remain focused and disciplined.

 

Will I have adequate time to complete the South Carolina insurance test?

Yes. Very rarely have students ever reported running out of time to complete the exam. Most students finish in about half of the allotted time (up to 2 hours). The only students who ever report that they ran out of time were those who were trying to memorize questions in the event they had to repeat the exam.

If English is not your first language you may quality for extra time on the exam. Contact Pearson VUE about ESL to learn whether you qualify. You may be required to submit a letter (on official letterhead) from an instructor, like America’s Professor, or employer that verifies English is your second language.

 

Is the South Carolina insurance exam still given by the “paper and pencil” method?

No, this is a computerized exam. Virtually all of the students say the proctors were helpful, the room was quiet, and the computer worked well. The proctors (administrators) typically give you the opportunity to complete a practice exam to learn how to use the system the day of your exam.

Pearson VUE offers practice tests online that you can take in advance of your exam to prepare.

When you finish the exam you will NOT be given a copy of the exam, nor will you be given the opportunity to review particular questions and their answers. The exam will be scored immediately and you will know your results when you leave.

 

What is the best test prep method for the South Carolina insurance exam?

You must know the material—there is no way around this, and there are no shortcuts to learning.  There are, however, more effective and less frustrating ways to learn. We recommend that you follow this 4-step process:

  • Watch and listen to AP’s lectures
  • Highlight key concepts in the comprehensive textbook we provide
  • Review questions in our test bank; and
  • Send AP an email if you have any questions
video courses online sample questions
South Carolina Online Video Courses South Carolina Sample Practice Exams

 

We hope this information about how to pass your insurance exam in South Carolina has been helpful. Enroll in a course with America’s Professor today!

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jerleatha white
jerleatha white
6 years ago

need links on license for insurance agent

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
6 years ago

Hello Jerleatha, What specific links are you looking for? (Pre-licensing courses, test information, test scheduling, etc.)

Jim Prince
Jim Prince
6 years ago

How much for just the written study guide for the SC life issuance producer exam?

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim Prince

Hello Jim, Unfortunately we do not sell just the written study materials for our courses at this time. Our South Carolina Life Pre-Licensing Course comes with the books, video lectures, review questions and free extensions until you pass for $139. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thanks and have a great day!

Ed Huntley
Ed Huntley
6 years ago

Healthcare insurance exam info for South Carolina

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Huntley

Hello Ed, Did you have a specific question? Here is a link to our SC Health Pre-License Course to help you prepare for the Accident and Health Insurance Exam for South Carolina. Thanks and have a great day!

Blondell Parsons
Blondell Parsons
5 years ago

I am seeking study material for taking the insurance exam for life insurance here in South Carolina. Please respond to me by email.

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
5 years ago

Done! 🙂

Iris Davis
Iris Davis
5 years ago

I am seeking study material for taking the insurance exam for worker comp adjuster and Auto insurance here in South Carolina. Please respond to me by email.

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
5 years ago
Reply to  Iris Davis

Done! 🙂

Erika
Erika
5 years ago

Where can I find study material for the surety insurance producer exam?

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
5 years ago
Reply to  Erika

Hello Erika, I’m sorry but I don’t. I know our Surety material is included in our Property and Casualty course but I’m not sure who would split it out. I think you are the first person I’ve seen request it. Good luck!

Bert Gives Jr
Bert Gives Jr
5 years ago

I need material for title producer series 19-10 for the State of South Carolina,

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
5 years ago
Reply to  Bert Gives Jr

Hello Bert, Unfortunately we don’t have a recommendation for you on a Title Course. You might check with the SC DOI and see if they have any suggestions. Good luck.

Elena
Elena
3 years ago
Reply to  Bert Gives Jr

Did you ever find any materials for the 19-10? I am currently seeking study aids as well.

Dana Mitchell
Dana Mitchell
5 years ago

Im trying to find study material for the property and casualty. Also would like to know the costs. Please respond by email thank you

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
5 years ago
Reply to  Dana Mitchell

Done! 🙂

Mel
Mel
4 years ago

Is a sponsor required or can someone take the course pass exam getnlicense then look for a Job

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
4 years ago
Reply to  Mel

Hi Mel, A sponsor it not required for a Life, Accident and Health or Property and Casualty license. Simply pass your exams and apply for your license. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks and have a great day!

Ryhan Jefferies
Ryhan Jefferies
4 years ago

What courses do I need to take to become an auto insurance agent? All that will help me.

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
4 years ago

Hello Ryham, To sell either Auto or Home insurance you will need a Property and Casualty (PC) license. Here is a link to our South Carolina Property and Casualty course. Good luck!

Tracy Goebel
Tracy Goebel
3 years ago

I have my NJ property and casualty license. Do I sit and retest for the State?

America's Professor - DCM
America's Professor - DCM
3 years ago
Reply to  Tracy Goebel

Hi Tracy, If you are still living in NJ then you’ll need to get a non-resident license for SC. If you are moving there, look at transferring your license (call the SC DOI and inquire). You might not have to take another exam. Good luck!

Ashley Felkel
Ashley Felkel
7 months ago

Why is the producers licensing exam SOOOOO different from the study material and practice tests? I have failed 3 times now, even with making consistent 80’s on the practice tests. Very defeating!