South Dakota insurance licensing
Start here: Choose the license lines needed, use optional independent study if helpful, take the applicable Pearson VUE producer examination, wait for the result to reach SBS and NIPR, and submit the resident producer application within 180 days. Confirm current requirements and fees with the official sources before acting.
Life & Health exam prep
Use optional independent online Self Study to prepare for the Life, Accident & Health or Sickness combination examination, then follow the current South Dakota resident application path.
$114.95
Review the order before payment. No coupon is applied.
Property & Casualty exam prep
Use optional independent online Self Study to prepare for the Property & Casualty combination examination, then follow the current South Dakota resident application path.
$114.95
Review the order before payment. No coupon is applied.
Current South Dakota resident sequence
- Choose Life & Health, Property & Casualty, or both based on the authority needed.
- Use optional independent Self Study if helpful. South Dakota does not require prelicensing education, and the Division does not specify an official study material.
- Choose the $95 Life, Accident & Health or Sickness combination exam or the $95 Property & Casualty combination exam. Each allows 150 minutes and lists 145 questions.
- Both combination exams are listed for test centers and OnVUE online proctoring. The Life-only exam is test-center only.
- Schedule at least 24 hours before the desired date. The passing score is a scaled 70.
- Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before the exam. After an unsuccessful attempt, wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake.
- After passing, wait 48 hours so results can reach SBS and NIPR, then apply within 180 days.
- NIPR currently lists a $25 resident Insurance Producer fee, excluding its transaction fee.
- Application approval, any required appointment, and license issuance remain separate from the course, exam, and application.
Current official sources
- South Dakota Division of Insurance resident producer requirements
- South Dakota Division of Insurance study-material guidance
- South Dakota Division of Insurance applications, forms, and fees
- Current Pearson VUE South Dakota Insurance page
- April 2026 South Dakota licensing candidate handbook
- NIPR South Dakota resident licensing requirements
Training several South Dakota candidates?
Use the written Team Licensing route for license line, headcount, timing, and delivery review. No class, charge, or enrollment is created until scope and terms are confirmed.
South Dakota licensing FAQ
Does South Dakota require prelicensing education for a first-time resident producer?
No. South Dakota does not require prelicensing education. The Division does not specify an official study material. TSI Self Study is optional independent exam preparation, not required education or completion credit.
Which exam applies to Life and Health?
Pearson VUE offers a Life, Accident & Health or Sickness combination exam. It allows 150 minutes, lists 145 questions, and costs $95. The Life-only exam is available at test centers but not through OnVUE.
Which exam applies to Property and Casualty?
Pearson VUE offers a Property & Casualty combination exam. It allows 150 minutes, lists 145 questions, and costs $95.
Can I take the combination exams online?
Yes. The April 2026 Pearson VUE handbook lists both combination exams for test centers and OnVUE online proctoring. Confirm current availability when scheduling.
What score is required?
South Dakota uses a scaled passing score of 70. It is not the raw number or percentage of questions answered correctly.
What are the scheduling, cancellation, and retake clocks?
Reserve at least 24 hours before the desired examination date. Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before the examination to avoid the stated penalty, and wait 24 hours after an unsuccessful attempt before scheduling a retake.
When do I apply after passing?
The handbook says an application can be made 48 hours after a successful exam so results can reach SBS and NIPR. Apply within 180 days of passing the major-line exam.
What is the resident producer application fee?
NIPR currently lists a $25 South Dakota resident Insurance Producer fee, excluding its transaction fee. Confirm the amount at submission.
Does a course purchase guarantee a pass or license?
No. Study completion, exam passage, application review, any required appointment, and license issuance are separate and are not guaranteed.
Course boundary: Each listed $114.95 purchase provides 70 days of optional independent online Self Study access for the selected line pair. The $95 Pearson VUE combination exam, $25 state fee, NIPR transaction fee, any required appointment, and the license are separate. South Dakota does not require prelicensing education. TSI does not claim the South Dakota Division of Insurance, Pearson VUE, or NIPR approves, recommends, or endorses TSI and does not guarantee study completion, exam passage, application approval, appointment, or license issuance.
Official-source facts reviewed July 26, 2026.