• Licensing Requirements
  
   -  Resident Surplus Lines Brokers
   -  Non-Resident Surplus Lines Brokers
   -  Non-Resident Surplus Lines Broker General Information
   
• Premium Tax Forms and Instructions
• Printing Licenses
• Printing Letter of Certification
• License or Appointment Verification
• License Renewal
• Exam Content Outlines
• SCDOI Contact Information

Licensing 

 Title 38, Chapter 45 of the South Carolina Code of Laws details the regulations and requirements for brokers and surplus lines insurance. 

Resident Surplus Lines Brokers

1. Application for Brokers, Form 3520 [pdf 102k]
    
2. Biennial License fee of $200
   The fee is not pro-rated and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
    
3. $10,000 Surety Bond, Form 3535 [pdf 1561k]
     
4. Broker Exam Certificate
   South Carolina law provides that no individual shall be licensed as an insurance broker unless they first possess a current Producer Appointment for the same lines of insurance for which the broker is applying.
   
5. Exam Report from Prometric
   Contact Prometric directly at 800-490-6548 to register for the state licensing examination.  The exam report expires 24 months after the date of issuance.
    
   Only individuals may be licensed as brokers in South Carolina.
    
    
   
   Please do not highlight any areas of the documentation being submitted
   to the Department.  Highlighted documents may be returned.

Back to Top
 

Non-Resident Surplus Lines Brokers

1. Application for Brokers, Form 3520 [pdf 37k]
    
2. Biennial License fee of $200
   The fee is not pro-rated and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
   Fees are retaliatory under South Carolina law.
      
3. Letter of Certification
   If the license status cannot be verified on the State Producer Licensing Database (SPLD), certification from the applicant's home state will be required.  The certification, less than 90 days old, must indicate that the applicant is licensed as a surplus lines broker.
    
    
   
   Please do not highlight any areas of the documentation being submitted
   to the Department.  Highlighted documents may be returned.

Back to Top
  

Non-Resident General Information

• Only individuals may be licensed as brokers in South Carolina. 
   
• Brokers representing brokerage firms or agencies must secure an agency license issued by this Department.
   
• South Carolina law provides that no individual shall be licensed as an insurance broker unless they are licensed as a broker in their home state.

Premium Tax Forms and Instructions

The South Carolina Code of Laws requires brokers licensed in South Carolina to report their business records for statistical, tax collection and distribution purposes.  The required forms are below.

• Yearly Premium and Tax Return, Form 2001A [pdf 2290k]
• Quarterly Surplus Lines Broker Tax Form, Form 2005 [pdf 2290k]

Questions regarding premium and tax returns should be addressed to Mary Sturkie, 803-737-6082 or Gloria Akram, 803-737-6136 in the Department's Taxation Office.

Back to Top

Printing Licenses

The Department will no longer print or mail hard copies of licenses.  Licensed individuals must print copies of their license via the Department's SCDOI Online Services found on our website.  There is no charge for printing the licenses, and copies of duplicate or amended licenses can be obtained at anytime.

1. Click SCDOI Online Services.
   This link is also available at the top left corner of the home page.
    
2. Select "Print License" under the General Public heading. 
    
3. You must accept the License Certification Terms of Use before proceeding.  If you agree with the terms, click "I Accept" at the bottom of the page. 
    
4. Key in the Social Security Number and Date of Birth in the format as shown next the fields and then click "Login." 
    
5. Choose License Type in the drop down menu and then click "next."
    
6. Click "Print."

Back to Top

Printing Letters of Certification

The Department will no longer print or mail hard copies of Letters of Certification.  Licensed individuals must print copies of their certification letters via the Department's SCDOI Online Services found on our website.  There is no charge for printing the letters, and copies of duplicate or amended letters can be obtained at anytime.

1. Click SCDOI Online Services.
   This link is also available at the top left corner of the home page.
    
2. Select "Generate Certificate of Authority/Letters of Clearance for Individuals" under the General Public heading.
    
3. You must accept the License Certification Terms of Use before proceeding.  If you agree with the terms, click "I Accept" at the bottom of the page.
    
4. Enter the Social Security Number and Date of Birth in the format as shown next the fields on the page and then click "Next."
    
5. Select the State(s) for the Letter of Certification and then click "Next."
    
6. Click "Continue" on the Application Fees page.
    
7. Click "Save and Print Letter" on the Confirmation page.
   The Letter of Certification will open in PDF format.

Back to Top

License or Appointment Verification

1. Click Search SCDOI Database.
    This link is also available at the top of the home page.
    
2. Click "Search for Individuals."
    
3. Enter the Individual Number or Last Name and then click "Search."
    
4. Click on the individual's name.
    
5. Click on "Type of License" (in blue) to the see the license and appointment information.

Back to Top

License Renewal

Broker licenses are renewed in May of even numbered years and the fee is $200. 

• Broker Renewal Memorandum
• Broker Renewal Application

Back to Top

SCDOI Contact Information

Phone: 803-737-6095
Email: agntmail@doi.sc.gov

Back to Top