How to get a South Dakota life & health license
Requirements, exam, fees and the order to do things in — from the South Dakota Division of Insurance and the exam handbook.
Step by step
- Study for the exam — South Dakota doesn't require a pre-licensing course for this license, but most first-time candidates take an exam-prep course.
- Schedule and pass the state exam with Pearson VUE ($85). Read the candidate handbook.
- Get fingerprinted if required — Not required for producers (only bail bond).
- Apply for the license through NIPR or the South Dakota Division of Insurance ($25).
- Get appointed by an insurance company (agents) and keep up with continuing education — 10 per 2 yrs per line group (L/H 10, P/C 10; ARSD 20:06:18:03) hours per renewal (license term: 2 years, ends birth month).
Pre-licensing & exam prep courses
- Kaplan Financial Education — state-approved pre-licensing and exam prep, the long-running market leader
- ExamFX — pre-licensing and exam prep with a pass guarantee
- AceableAgent — mobile-first pre-licensing courses
- XCEL Solutions — low-cost online pre-licensing and exam prep
Pick a course approved in South Dakota (optional here, but it lifts pass rates). Some links may be affiliate links.
South Dakota Life & Health requirements
| Life | Accident & Health | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | None required | None required |
| Exam vendor | Pearson VUE | Pearson VUE |
| Exam fee | $85 | $85 |
| Questions / time | 90 · 120 min | 90 · 120 min |
| License application fee | $25 | $25 |
| Fingerprints | Not required for producers (only bail bond) | Not required for producers (only bail bond) |
| Continuing education | 10 per 2 yrs per line group (L/H 10, P/C 10; ARSD 20:06:18:03) hours · 2 years, ends birth month | 10 per 2 yrs per line group (L/H 10, P/C 10; ARSD 20:06:18:03) hours · 2 years, ends birth month |
Life: No pre-licensing requirement. Life exam test-center only. Combined L/A&H exam $95, 145 Q, 150 min. Exam scores valid 180 days.
Minimum age 18. Sources: South Dakota Insurance Candidate Handbook (Pearson VUE) · SD Division of Insurance CE · NIPR South Dakota resident individual licensing requirements. Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
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Life & Health license rules across the US
Other South Dakota licenses
Property & Casualty license · Adjuster license · All South Dakota insurance licenses
Questions
How long does it take to get a life and health insurance license in South Dakota?
South Dakota has no required pre-licensing hours, so many candidates sit the exam within 1–3 weeks of studying. After you pass, license approval usually takes a few days to a few weeks after fingerprints clear.
How much does a South Dakota Life & Health license cost?
State fees (exam + application) come to about $220, plus fingerprints and a course if you take one.
Who runs the South Dakota insurance exam?
Pearson VUE. Book the exam on the vendor's site after reading the candidate handbook.