Third-Party Administrators (TPAs)

Title 38, Chapter 51 of the South Carolina Code of Laws defines the regulations for administrators for insurance benefits plans and, as mandated by law, administrators are to be licensed and regulated by the director of insurance.

Please be aware that all correspondence regarding an application for licensure will be conducted via email through our online system. The email address used for this correspondence is sbs@naic.org. We recommend saving this email address to ensure you receive any future system-generated emails. However, please do not reply to sbs@naic.org, as messages sent to that address will not be received. For any correspondence and documents you wish to submit regarding your license, please send them to specialtylicensing@doi.sc.gov.

INITIAL APPLICATION

You must complete the online application and pay the licensing fee ($100.00) on NIPR. There are additional documents that must be sent to the Department of Insurance as part of the application. The online application, licensing fee, and the required documents listed on the application checklist must be legible, contain accurate information, be completed fully on updated forms, and submitted on the same day.  You must submit the checklist with the required documentation via email to specialtylicensing@doi.sc.gov. (We cannot receive emails larger than 40MB. Please keep this in mind when sending documentation by email. You may have to send more than one email and/or combine documents in a zip file.) 

• Initial Application Additional Questionnaire Form
• Complete and return the Application Checklist. This lists all the requirements for an initial license. 
• Certificate of Existence/Authority from the South Carolina Secretary of State (https://sos.sc.gov/) pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 38-51-20
• You must comply with one of the four Financial Requirements as described in S.C. Code Ann. § 38-51-30: a surety bond, letter of credit, certificate of deposit or corporate guaranty. You must submit the surety bond form with a copy of the power of attorney (Surety Bond Form). 
• Two years of financial statements (a full 24 months) are required for initial licensure. The statements do not have to be audited.
• Provide a list of all Officers and Directors
• Provide a Biographical Affidavit for each Officer/Director on the List of Officers and Directors. You must use the NAIC form. 
• Provide the written agreement template that will be utilized in South Carolina. All written agreements must be submitted prior to use and must comply with Section 38-51-40. 

RENEWAL APPLICATION

The renewal period will begin on December 1 and will close on March 1 of each year. March 1 is the final deadline for all applications and additional documentation to be submitted. We recommend applying early to allow sufficient time to address any potential issues and to prevent a lapse in your license and the incurrence of any reinstatement or penalty fees. 

You must complete the online renewal application on NIPR and pay the licensing fee ($100.00) on NIPR.  There are additional documents that must be sent to the Department of Insurance as part of the application and should be thoroughly completed and appropriately signed prior to emailing. 

The online application, licensing fee, and the required documents listed on the application checklist must be legible, contain accurate information, be completed fully on updated forms, and submitted on the same day.  You must submit the checklist with the required documentation via email to specialtylicensing@doi.sc.gov. (We cannot receive emails larger than 40MB. Please keep this in mind when sending documentation by email. You may have to send more than one email and/or combine documents in a zip file.) 

Here is a Navigation Tool for completing your online application on NIPR.

• Renewal Application Additional Questionnaire Form 
• Complete and return the Application Checklist. This lists all the requirements for renewal. 
• Amount of premiums collected and/or claims paid for SC business only.
• Certificate of Existence/Authority from the South Carolina Secretary of State (https://sos.sc.gov/) pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 38-51-20
• You must comply with one of the four Financial Requirements as described in S.C. Code Ann. § 38-51-30: a surety bond, letter of credit, certificate of deposit or corporate guaranty. You must submit the surety bond form with a copy of the power of attorney (Surety Bond Form). A bond continuation is acceptable for renewal. For letters of credit, please provide documentation such as a in-force letter showing it is still active.
• Provide annual financial statements for the proceeding calendar year. The statements do not have to be audited.
• Provide a list of all current Officers and Directors

• Provide a Biographical Affidavit for any new Officers/Directors that has not already been submitted. You must use the NAIC form. 
• Provide any new/revised written agreement template that will be utilized in South Carolina that has not been submitted already. All written agreements must be submitted for review prior to use and must comply with Section 38-51-40. 

Your renewal will not be processed unless the Department of Insurance receives the online application, the licensing fee, and all the required documentation fully completed.  If you complete the online application and pay the licensing fee, but fail to submit the required documents by March 1, your renewal application will be rejected. If your license lapses, you may not conduct any Insurance Administrator (TPA) business until your license is reinstated/active. 

VOLUNTARY LICENSE SURRENDER

If you do not plan to renew your license or would like to surrender your license outside of the renewal, please complete the surrender form (Insurance Administrator (TPA) Surrender Form) and send it via email or secure email to specialtylicensing@doi.sc.gov.