South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance License Practice Exam
130 scored questions plus 10 pretest (Property, Casualty, Surety & Marine), 165 minutes. Scaled score of 70 to pass. Auto liability minimums of 25/50/25. Up to 6 attempts per year.
South Carolina Property & Casualty — Study by Topic
Drill South Carolina state law (30 scored questions) or practice general P&C concepts. The combined exam has 130 scored questions and allows 165 minutes. Auto liability minimums are 25/50/25.
Property Insurance
Homeowners (HO-3/HO-5), dwelling, commercial property, NFIP flood, inland marine, ACV vs. replacement cost, coinsurance, SC Wind and Hail Underwriting Association.
Casualty & Liability
Auto (PAP, 25/50/25, mandatory UM), CGL, WC, umbrella, bonds, commercial auto, professional liability.
South Carolina State Law
SCDOI, licensing and appointments, Pearson VUE (OnVUE), 6-attempt limit, no section retake, SC Wind & Hail Underwriting Association, P&C Guaranty Association, assigned risk, auto 25/50/25, UM provision required, 24 CE hrs.
P&C Concepts
Subrogation, indemnity, coinsurance, pro rata/short-rate, insurable interest at loss, certificate of insurance, waiver/estoppel, SC 25/50/25 auto.
🌟 Full SC P&C Exam
140-question timed exam simulating the Pearson VUE SC combined P&C exam. 2 hours 45 minutes. Scaled 70 to pass. Auto liability minimums 25/50/25.
About the South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance Exam
The South Carolina Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine producer exam is administered by Pearson VUE for the South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI). South Carolina also offers Property, Casualty and Personal Lines exams separately. The combined exam is scored as a single result, so you must pass the full exam to be licensed in either line (candidate handbook), and candidates must first pass the exam for the line they want (S.C. Code § 38-43-100). Exams can be taken in person at a Pearson VUE test center or online through OnVUE.
The combined exam has 130 scored questions (100 general knowledge and 30 South Carolina-specific) plus 10 unscored pretest questions, for 140 items in all, and allows 165 minutes. The passing score is 70 on a scale of 0 to 100, which is not the percentage of questions answered correctly. The exam fee is $59, and a passing result is valid for one year. The Department's licensing steps are the exam, the license application through NIPR, and fingerprinting; no pre-licensing course is listed.
South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance Exam Topic Breakdown
| Section | Questions / Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| I. Property: Types of Policies | 22 | Homeowners HO-2 to HO-8, dwelling DP-1 to DP-3, commercial lines, inland marine, NFIP flood, earthquake, mobile homes, watercraft, farmowners, windstorm |
| II. Property: Insurance Terms and Related Concepts | 15 | Insurable interest, risk, hazards, perils, loss valuation, deductibles, coinsurance, liability types, endorsements, blanket versus specific |
| III. Property: Policy Provisions and Contract Law | 13 | Declarations, conditions, exclusions, duties after loss, mortgagee rights, proof of loss, appraisal, other insurance, subrogation, FCRA, GLBA, TRIA |
| IV. Casualty: Types of Policies, Bonds and Related Terms | 23 | CGL, personal and business auto, workers' compensation, crime, surety and fidelity bonds, professional liability, umbrella and excess, BOP |
| V. Casualty: Insurance Terms and Related Concepts | 15 | Risk, hazards, indemnity, negligence, occurrence, binders, warranties, representations, concealment, premium audit, certificates, damages |
| VI. Casualty: Policy Provisions | 12 | Declarations through TRIA, loss settlement, consent to settle |
| SC — I. Laws Pertinent to All Lines | 18 | Director powers and duties (§ 38-3-60), licensing (Ch. 43), appointments, continuing education (§ 38-43-106), unfair and prohibited practices, premium handling, privacy (Reg. 69-58) |
| SC — II. Laws Pertinent to Property and Casualty | 12 | Cancellation and nonrenewal, rate regulation, P&C Guaranty Association (Ch. 31), Valued Policy Law, SC Wind and Hail Underwriting Association, auto UM/UIM, Financial Responsibility Act, assigned risk, workers' compensation (Title 42) |
Counts are from the Pearson VUE South Carolina Insurance Content Outlines (effective September 15, 2026): the combined Property and Casualty exam has 100 general knowledge scored questions and 30 South Carolina-specific scored questions, plus 5 unscored pretest questions in each part.
What Makes the South Carolina Property & Casualty Exam Different
Separate or combined exams. South Carolina offers Property (80 items, 120 minutes), Casualty (80 items, 120 minutes), Personal Lines (105 items, 120 minutes) and the combined Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine exam (140 items, 165 minutes), each at $59. The combined exam gives a single score, and a candidate who passes one part but fails the other must retake the entire exam (Pearson VUE candidate handbook).
Auto liability minimums of 25/50/25. South Carolina requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more persons and $25,000 for property damage in any one accident (S.C. Code § 38-77-140).
Uninsured motorist coverage is built in. Every automobile policy must include an uninsured motorist provision with limits no less than the § 38-77-140 minimums (§ 38-77-150). Carriers must also offer additional uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at the insured's option, up to the liability limits (§ 38-77-160).
State-specific P&C topics. The 12 property and casualty state questions cover cancellation and nonrenewal, rate regulation, the P&C Guaranty Association, the Valued Policy Law, the SC Wind and Hail Underwriting Association, auto law, the assigned risk pool and workers' compensation under Title 42.
Retakes and the 48-hour wait. You may take each exam up to six times in a one-year period, must wait 24 hours between attempts, and pay a new $59 fee each time. After you pass, wait 48 hours before applying so that your result can reach NIPR (Pearson VUE candidate handbook).
Fingerprints at initial licensing. Resident applicants submit fingerprints for state (SLED) and FBI criminal background checks at their own cost (S.C. Code § 38-43-100). The Department says fingerprinting is not required at every renewal if you were fingerprinted at initial licensure or for your last compliance period.
Sample South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance Exam Questions
1. What are South Carolina's minimum liability limits for an automobile policy?
2. Which statement about uninsured motorist coverage in a South Carolina automobile policy is correct?
3. What background check must a South Carolina resident insurance producer applicant complete at initial licensing?
Study Tips for the South Carolina Property & Casualty Exam
Know the auto statutes. The 25/50/25 limits (§ 38-77-140), the uninsured motorist provision (§ 38-77-150), the option to buy additional UM/UIM (§ 38-77-160), the Financial Responsibility Act and the assigned risk pool are all named in the South Carolina outline. The 18 all-lines state questions cover licensing, appointments and unfair practices.
Casualty carries the most general weight. In the general part, casualty types of policies and bonds are 23 of 100 questions and property types of policies are 22. Know the HO and DP forms, CGL, auto, workers' compensation and bonds first, then terms and provisions (15 and 13 property, 15 and 12 casualty).
The passing score is 70 on a 0–100 scale, not 70%. Pearson VUE scales scores, so answering 70% of questions correctly does not guarantee a pass. The combined exam has 165 minutes for 140 items.
Also licensing in life or health? See our South Carolina Life & Health practice exam. National content is in our property and casualty practice exam, and our insurance license exam study guide covers exam strategy.
How to Get Your South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance License
There are four steps to get your South Carolina insurance producer license for the Property and Casualty lines.
Steps to Get Your South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance License
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Register for the Exam | The Department's steps start with the exam; no pre-licensing course is listed. Register with Pearson VUE online or at 877-759-5226, give your legal name exactly as on your ID, and pay the $59 exam fee. Take it in person or through OnVUE. |
| 2. Pass the Exam | The combined exam allows 165 minutes for 140 items. You need a scaled score of 70, you must pass the full combined exam to be licensed in both lines, and a passing result is valid for one year. |
| 3. Apply Through NIPR | Wait 48 hours after passing so the result reaches NIPR, then apply and pay for your license at nipr.com. The producer license fee is $25. |
| 4. Get Fingerprinted and Maintain | Resident applicants submit fingerprints for SLED and FBI checks. Renew every two years and complete 24 hours of continuing insurance education in each two-year period. |
South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance License Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exams | Property, Casualty, Personal Lines, and Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine (combined) |
| Combined exam | 130 scored questions (100 general and 30 South Carolina) plus 10 pretest; 140 items in 165 minutes |
| Single-line exams | Property and Casualty: 80 items, 120 minutes each; Personal Lines: 105 items, 120 minutes |
| Passing score | 70 on a scale of 0–100; not a percentage of correct answers; one score for the combined exam |
| Pre-license education | None listed in the Department's licensing steps; the exam is the statutory qualification (S.C. Code § 38-43-100) |
| Exam fee | $59 per attempt, paid at reservation |
| Exam vendor | Pearson VUE (in person or online through OnVUE) |
| Auto liability minimums | $25,000 / $50,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage (S.C. Code § 38-77-140) |
| Retakes | Up to six attempts in one year; 24-hour wait; new fee each time |
| Wait before applying | 48 hours after passing, then apply at NIPR; a passing result is valid for one year |
| Fingerprinting | SLED and FBI checks for resident applicants at initial licensing; not required at every renewal |
| License fee | $25 for an initial producer license and $25 biennial renewal (S.C. Code § 38-43-80) |
| Continuing education | 24 hours every two years; up to 18 excess hours carry forward |
| Licensing authority | South Carolina Department of Insurance |
Verified against the Pearson VUE South Carolina candidate handbook and content outlines, the South Carolina Department of Insurance producer license page, and the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 38. Fees and times change; confirm current figures with the Department and Pearson VUE before you apply.
Our free South Carolina Property & Casualty practice exam covers general and South Carolina content. You can also try the national property and casualty practice exam or the insurance license exam study guide.
Interested in where this license leads? See our guide to insurance careers — including salary ranges, how to break in, and what the career looks like day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions — South Carolina Property & Casualty Insurance Exam
How many questions are on the South Carolina Property and Casualty exam?
The combined exam has 130 scored questions, made up of 100 general knowledge and 30 South Carolina-specific questions, plus 10 unscored pretest questions. That is 140 items in all, with 165 minutes allowed.
Are Property and Casualty separate exams in South Carolina?
South Carolina offers a Property exam (80 items), a Casualty exam (80 items), a Personal Lines exam (105 items) and a combined Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine exam (140 items). The combined exam is one score, so you must pass the full exam to be licensed in either line.
What is the passing score for the South Carolina insurance exam?
70 on a scale of 0 to 100. Pearson VUE's handbook notes that scores are not percentages of correct answers. The passing score is 70 for all South Carolina exams.
What are South Carolina's minimum auto insurance limits?
Liability of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person and $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more persons in any one accident, plus $25,000 for property damage (S.C. Code § 38-77-140). Every policy must include an uninsured motorist provision at limits no less than those minimums.
How much does the South Carolina insurance exam cost?
$59 per attempt, paid by credit card, debit card or voucher when you reserve. Fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable except under the change and cancel policy. The initial producer license fee is $25.
Does South Carolina require pre-licensing education?
The Department's licensing steps list only the exam, the license application and fingerprints, and S.C. Code § 38-43-100 makes the written exam the qualification. No pre-licensing course is listed.
Do I need fingerprints for a South Carolina producer license?
Yes for resident applicants at initial licensing: fingerprints are used for state (SLED) and FBI background checks at the applicant's cost. The Department says fingerprinting is not required at every renewal.
How many times can I retake the South Carolina exam?
Each exam can be taken six times in a one-year period. You must wait 24 hours after an attempt and pay a new exam fee each time.
Practice Exam Questions — South Carolina Property & Casualty
4 state-specific questions based on official sources. Correct answer highlighted in green.
Which company administers the South Carolina insurance producer exams for the Department of Insurance?
- Pearson VUE
- PSI
- Prometric
- The Department itself
Under S.C. Code § 38-77-160, what must automobile insurance carriers offer, and up to what limits?
- Additional uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, up to the insured's liability limits
- Collision coverage, up to the vehicle's value
- Medical payments coverage, up to $5,000
- Rental reimbursement, up to 30 days
How long must a candidate wait after an unsuccessful attempt before rebooking a South Carolina exam?
- 24 hours
- 7 days
- 48 hours
- 30 days
A candidate passes one part of the combined South Carolina Property and Casualty exam but fails the other. What must the candidate do?
- Retake the entire exam
- Retake only the failed part
- Apply for the line that was passed
- Wait one year and retake only the failed part