South Carolina insurance adjuster license
Every individual adjusting losses for an insurer licensed in South Carolina must hold an SCDOI adjuster license (S.C. Code 38-47-10). The statute exempts only licensed producers and supervised portable-electronics claims staff, so it covers both independent and company (staff) adjusters. Separate exams cover property/casualty/surety/marine, personal lines, commercial lines, crop hail and workers' compensation, and public adjusters hold a separate license under Chapter 48.
How to get licensed in South Carolina, step by step
- Choose the license you need. South Carolina issues Adjuster - Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine, Adjuster - Personal Lines, Adjuster - Commercial Lines, Adjuster - Crop (Crop Hail Insurance Adjuster exam), Adjuster - Workers' Compensation. Most new independent adjusters start with the Adjuster - Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine license.
- Pass the state exam (InsSC-PCSMAdj11). It is given by Pearson VUE: 105 questions in 120 minutes, passing score 70 (scaled score), fee $59. Practice first with our South Carolina Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine Adjuster practice test.
- Submit fingerprints for the criminal background check if your application type requires them (see fees below).
- Apply for the license with the South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) and pay the $80 license fee.
South Carolina adjuster license types
| License | Covers | Exam | Prelicensing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjuster - Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine | Property, casualty, surety and marine claims | Required | Not required |
| Adjuster - Personal Lines | Personal lines property and casualty claims | Required | Not required |
| Adjuster - Commercial Lines | Commercial lines property and casualty claims | Required | Not required |
| Adjuster - Crop (Crop Hail Insurance Adjuster exam) | Crop hail / crop claims | Required | Not required |
| Adjuster - Workers' Compensation | Workers' compensation claims | Required | Not required |
The South Carolina adjuster exam
| Vendor | Pearson VUE |
|---|---|
| Exam | South Carolina Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine Adjuster (InsSC-PCSMAdj11) |
| Questions | 105 |
| Time limit | 120 minutes |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Exam fee | $59 |
| Candidate handbook | Official handbook (PDF) |
Take the free South Carolina Property, Casualty, Surety and Marine Adjuster practice test
License fees
- Resident license: $80
- Nonresident license: $80
S.C. Code 38-47-30 sets an $80 biennial adjuster license fee (non-refundable, not prorated). Nonresidents pay $80 or the retaliatory fee their home state charges SC residents, whichever is higher (SCDOI examples: Georgia residents $115, North Carolina residents $175). NIPR transaction fees are extra. SC does not require fingerprints; resident applicants must instead submit a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) criminal history report (cost not verified). Pearson VUE fee is $59 per exam attempt. Other Pearson VUE adjuster exams: Personal Lines Adjuster InsSC-PLAdj23 (80 items, 120 min), Commercial Lines Adjuster InsSC-CLAdj24 (75 items, 90 min), Crop Hail Insurance Adjuster InsSC-HAdj13 (50 items, 60 min), Workers' Compensation Insurance Adjuster InsSC-WCAdj25 (60 items, 90 min), all $59. The PCSM adjuster exam is 100 scored plus 5 pretest items.
License term: Indefinite term as long as the biennial license fee is paid (S.C. Code 38-47-40). SCDOI: adjuster licenses renew in August of odd-numbered years.
Continuing education
South Carolina has no continuing education requirement for adjusters.
SCDOI states that South Carolina requires resident adjusters to pass the state exam but does not require fingerprints or continuing education. The 24-hour CE rule on the SCDOI site applies to producers, not adjusters.
Nonresident adjusters, reciprocity and DHS
Nonresidents apply through NIPR using their home-state license. If the home state does not require an adjuster exam, the applicant may use an exam certificate from another state where they are licensed and passed an adjuster exam, or take the SC exam. NIPR's SC rules allow an Adjuster Designated Home State (ADHS) if the applicant holds no active resident adjuster license in any state; a resident producer license cannot be used as the home-state license where that state licenses adjusters. An applicant cannot hold SC adjuster and SC public adjuster licenses at the same time.
Designated home state license: South Carolina does not issue a designated home state license. SCDOI says SC should never be selected as a DHS on NIPR applications because SC does not require fingerprints or CE for adjusters.
See every state's rules side by side on the adjuster license reciprocity map.
Emergency and catastrophe adjusters
After the Governor or Director declares an emergency, only insurers may issue emergency adjuster permits through the SCDOI online system to unlicensed nonresident adjusters, and insurers must first use licensed SC adjusters to the fullest extent. Initial appointments last up to 120 days from appointment and can be extended (SCDOI Emergency Adjuster page; Regulation 69-1 lets nonresident adjusters licensed in their home state enter for a declared catastrophe).
Public adjusters in South Carolina
Separate public adjuster license under S.C. Code Title 38, Chapter 48. Residents must pass the Pearson VUE South Carolina Public Adjuster exam (InsSC-PubAdj14, 60 items, 65 minutes, $59) and file a SLED report. Biennial license fee $80 (nonresidents subject to retaliatory fees). Chapter 48 does not specify a bond amount (regulations not checked). SCDOI says public adjuster licenses renew in October of even-numbered years.
Insurance adjuster salary in South Carolina
| Claims adjusters, examiners and investigators | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual wage | $76,190 | $80,470 |
| Median annual wage | $75,370 | $78,000 |
| 10th to 90th percentile | $46,640 to $104,050 | $48,850 to $117,040 |
| Employment | 4,130 | 324,230 |
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be an insurance adjuster in South Carolina?
Every individual adjusting losses for an insurer licensed in South Carolina must hold an SCDOI adjuster license (S.C. Code 38-47-10). The statute exempts only licensed producers and supervised portable-electronics claims staff, so it covers both independent and company (staff) adjusters. Separate exams cover property/casualty/surety/marine, personal lines, commercial lines, crop hail and workers' compensation, and public adjusters hold a separate license under Chapter 48.
How much does an adjuster license cost in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, the exam fee is $59, the resident license fee is $80. Fees change, so confirm current amounts with the South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI).
Can a nonresident get an adjuster license in South Carolina?
Nonresidents apply through NIPR using their home-state license. If the home state does not require an adjuster exam, the applicant may use an exam certificate from another state where they are licensed and passed an adjuster exam, or take the SC exam. NIPR's SC rules allow an Adjuster Designated Home State (ADHS) if the applicant holds no active resident adjuster license in any state; a resident producer license cannot be used as the home-state license where that state licenses adjusters. An applicant cannot hold SC adjuster and SC public adjuster licenses at the same time.
How much do insurance adjusters make in South Carolina?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, claims adjusters, examiners and investigators in South Carolina earned a mean of $76,190 a year in May 2025, with a median of $75,370. The national mean was $80,470. Independent catastrophe adjusters are paid by fee schedule and can earn more or less than this.
Official South Carolina resources
Sources
- doi.sc.gov/355/Adjuster
- doi.sc.gov/437/Public-Adjuster
- doi.sc.gov/357/Emergency-Adjuster
- doi.sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2145/Regulation-69-1
- doi.sc.gov/402/Continuing-Education-Compliance-Requirem
- scstatehouse.gov/code/t38c047.php
- scstatehouse.gov/code/t38c048.php
- pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/125000.pdf
- pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/125010.pdf
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/south-carolina-resident-licensing-individual
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/south-carolina-non-resident-adjuster-licensin
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-information/south-carolina
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