How to get a South Dakota property & casualty 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 ($95). 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 Property & Casualty requirements
| Property & Casualty | |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | None required |
| Exam vendor | Pearson VUE |
| Exam fee | $95 |
| Questions / time | 145 · 150 min |
| License application fee | $25 |
| Fingerprints | 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 |
Property & Casualty: Combined P&C exam; or separate Property/Casualty $85 each (90 Q, 120 min).
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.
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Property & Casualty license rules across the US
Other South Dakota licenses
Life & Health license · Adjuster license · All South Dakota insurance licenses
Questions
How long does it take to get a property and casualty 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 Property & Casualty license cost?
State fees (exam + application) come to about $120, 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.