A foreign insurance company applying to do business in South Dakota needs two continuous calendar years of operating experience. Within how many months before applying must it have been examined?SDCL 58-6-13
A former South Dakota producer applies again for the same kind of license. The examination may be waived if the applicant held that license in the state for at least one year within how long before applying?SDCL 58-30-52
A life insurer has withdrawn from South Dakota and writes no new business there. What may it still do without a certificate of authority?SDCL 58-6-4
A nonresident producer licensed in South Dakota no longer holds a producer license in the home state. What may South Dakota do?SDCL 58-30-160
A South Dakota insurer learns that one of its producers has received a notice of a license hearing. May it terminate the appointment for that reason alone?SDCL 58-30-167.1
A South Dakota licensee holds several licenses under Title 58, and one of them is revoked. What happens to the others?SDCL 58-30-108
A South Dakota producer deposits premiums held in trust for several people in one separate account. What must the producer's records show?SDCL 58-30-90
Show all 114 questions (107 more)
Director and producer licensing, continued
A South Dakota producer has prior notice of a Division investigation. What does the code forbid the producer to do?SDCL 58-30-196
A South Dakota producer holds one qualification, for life insurance. How many continuing education credit hours must the producer complete each two-year period?SDCL 58-30-116
A South Dakota producer holds several qualifications, each needing ten continuing education hours. What is the most that may be required of the producer in a two-year period?SDCL 58-30-116
A South Dakota producer's license has ended. May the producer still be paid renewal commissions on policies sold while licensed?SDCL 58-30-173
A temporary South Dakota producer license was issued to the personal representative of a deceased producer. What ends it, besides its time limit or an order of the director?SDCL 58-30-166
After a hearing, for how long at most may South Dakota's director suspend an insurance producer's license?SDCL 58-30-167
An insurer's home office may keep a South Dakota producer's business records in place of the producer when the producer writes what share of the business with that one insurer?SDCL 58-30-91
For how long after a transaction is completed must a South Dakota insurance producer keep the records of it at the place of business?SDCL 58-30-91
For how long must a South Dakota insurer keep claim data available for examination, for all open and closed files?SDCL 58-3-7.4
For which act may South Dakota's director revoke a producer's license under the causes listed in the licensing law?SDCL 58-30-167
How much notice of a South Dakota license suspension hearing must be given to the licensee and to the insurers the licensee represents?SDCL 58-30-167
In place of a license suspension, South Dakota's director may impose a money penalty. For an insurer the cap is $25,000 for each offense. What is the cap for an insurance producer?SDCL 58-4-28.1
In which department of South Dakota state government does the Division of Insurance sit?SDCL 58-1-2
On what date does a South Dakota producer furnish evidence of completed continuing education every two years?SDCL 58-30-116
South Dakota's director issues a temporary cease and desist order pending a hearing. The hearing may be set no sooner than ten days from the date of the order. What is the latest it may be set?SDCL 58-4-7
South Dakota's director revokes a license by order for failure to respond. A timely request brings a notice of hearing within thirty days. How long must the order allow the producer to request the hearing?SDCL 58-30-167.3
Under South Dakota's definitions, what does the term foreign insurer include unless the context distinguishes it?SDCL 58-1-2
What additional fee does South Dakota's Division of Insurance charge each licensee at renewal to fund the continuing education program?SDCL 58-30-121
What class of offense is it to transact insurance in South Dakota as an insurer without a certificate of authority?SDCL 58-6-1
When may a South Dakota producer pay a referral fee to a person who holds no insurance license?SDCL 58-30-174
When may South Dakota's director impose a money penalty in lieu of license suspension without first holding a hearing?SDCL 58-4-28.1
When may South Dakota's director revoke a producer's license by order without a hearing?SDCL 58-30-167.2
Which applicant is excused from the South Dakota insurance producer examination?SDCL 58-30-52
Which South Dakota licensee is exempt from continuing education?SDCL 58-30-115
Life insurance and group life law 15
A person covered by a South Dakota group life policy dies within the 31 days allowed for conversion, before applying. What is payable?SDCL 58-16-41
A South Dakota life policy has an adjustable maximum loan interest rate. How often must the maximum rate be determined?SDCL 58-15-15.8
A South Dakota purchaser returns a life policy during the free look period. Besides the insurer's home or branch office, to whom may it be returned?SDCL 58-15-8.1
Absent an agreement or assignment to the contrary, up to what total amount are life insurance proceeds in South Dakota free from the debts of the insured, surviving spouse and children?SDCL 58-12-4
After two years a South Dakota life policy is incontestable. Besides nonpayment of premiums, what exception does the statute state?SDCL 58-15-10
At what rate at least must a South Dakota life insurer pay interest on death proceeds, when its current rate on proceeds left on deposit is lower?SDCL 58-15-26.2
In a South Dakota life policy, how are the statements an applicant makes in the application treated, in the absence of fraud?SDCL 58-15-8
The master policy behind a South Dakota employee's group life coverage is ended. How long must the employee have been covered under it to claim an individual policy from the insurer?SDCL 58-16-40
On what terms may a South Dakota employee buy supplemental life coverage under the employer's group plan?SDCL 58-16-4
South Dakota requires the insured's application or written consent for an individual life policy. Who may take out insurance on a minor's life without it?SDCL 58-10-6
Under an adjustable loan rate on a South Dakota life policy, when must the insurer reduce the rate being charged?SDCL 58-15-15.8
Under the facility of payment clause South Dakota allows in a group life certificate, how much of the death benefit may the insurer pay to someone who bore the costs of the funeral or last illness?SDCL 58-16-42
What is the shortest period a South Dakota life policy may set for starting a lawsuit on the policy, counted from the time the cause of action accrues?SDCL 58-15-51
When is a South Dakota life insurer not required to pay interest on death proceeds?SDCL 58-15-26.3
Within how many days of actually receiving an individual life policy may a South Dakota purchaser return it for a refund of the premium paid?SDCL 58-15-8.1
Annuities and military sales 13
A South Dakota producer advises a service member to replace Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance with a private policy. When is that not an unfair practice?SDCL 58-33-127
A South Dakota producer recommends replacing an annuity. The producer must consider whether the consumer has had another annuity exchange or replacement within what preceding period?SDCL 58-33A-16.3
Before selling annuities, what training must a South Dakota producer complete?SDCL 58-33A-25.1
Does South Dakota's annuity best interest law give a consumer a private cause of action against a producer for violating it?SDCL 58-33A-14
For how long after an annuity transaction is completed must South Dakota insurers and producers keep the records of the information used in the recommendation?SDCL 58-33A-27
How may a South Dakota producer NOT describe the credited interest rate on a life insurance policy sold to a service member?SDCL 58-33-126
South Dakota's military sales sections apply to the sale of which products to an active duty service member?SDCL 58-33-118
Under South Dakota's military sales sections, a reservist is not on active duty when serving under orders that specify a period of less than how many calendar days?SDCL 58-33-117
What may the provider of South Dakota's annuity training course NOT present in the course?SDCL 58-33A-25.2
What standard must a South Dakota producer meet when recommending an annuity?SDCL 58-33A-16
Which individual annuity contracts are left out of South Dakota's ten-day right to cancel after receipt?SDCL 58-15-59.1
Which marketing does South Dakota's military sales law say is not solicitation?SDCL 58-33-121
Which practice on a military installation does South Dakota declare false, misleading, deceptive or unfair in the face-to-face solicitation of life insurance?SDCL 58-33-122
Health insurance law 35
A claim arises during the grace period of a South Dakota individual health policy and the insurer deducts the premium due from the proceeds. What effect does the deduction have?SDCL 58-17-17
A covered loss begins under a South Dakota individual health policy. Unless that is not reasonably possible, within how many days of the start of the loss must written notice of claim be given to the insurer?SDCL 58-17-21
A dependent child on a South Dakota health policy is incapable of self-sustaining employment because of a disability and reaches the limiting age. Within how many days must the policyholder furnish proof to keep the child covered?SDCL 58-17-30.1
A dependent on a South Dakota health policy is still a full-time student at age 26. Up to what age must the insurer continue the coverage at the insured's option?SDCL 58-17-2.3
A lapsed South Dakota health policy is being reinstated on an application, and the insurer issued a conditional receipt for the premium. If the insurer neither approves nor disapproves in writing, when is the policy reinstated?SDCL 58-17-19
A new Medicare supplement policy takes effect on the day an older one covering the same South Dakota insured is discontinued, or soon after. Within how many days after is the issuer treated as replacing the older policy?SDCL 58-17A-14
A South Dakota applicant returns a Medicare supplement policy during the right to return period. To whom is the refund paid?SDCL 58-17A-8
A South Dakota employee's continuation lasts 18 months. For how long in total may a qualified beneficiary continue group health coverage after the employee's death or divorce?SDCL 58-18-7.12
A South Dakota health claimant with legal capacity could not reasonably furnish proof of loss within 90 days. What is the latest the proof may be furnished?SDCL 58-17-24
A South Dakota health insurer covers qualifying children as dependents. Below what limiting age may it not terminate a child's coverage?SDCL 58-17-2.3
A South Dakota health policy covers the insured's spouse, and the couple divorce. Within how many days must the former spouse apply for an individual policy without evidence of insurability?SDCL 58-17-2.2
A South Dakota individual health policy of excepted benefits was issued on an application with a misstatement that was not fraudulent. When does the misstatement stop being a ground to void the policy?SDCL 58-17-15
A South Dakota insured changes from single to family health coverage before a child is born. From when may the insurer charge the additional premium?SDCL 58-17-30.4
A South Dakota Medicare supplement policy may not exclude losses from a preexisting condition that are incurred more than how long after coverage takes effect?SDCL 58-17A-3
A South Dakota producer thinks a small employer's workforce has costly health conditions. What may the producer NOT do?SDCL 58-18B-38
A South Dakota small employer asks its producer how to lower the group's health premium. Which suggestion does the code forbid?SDCL 58-18B-44
An employee leaves a South Dakota employer covered by the state continuation law. For how long may the employee continue the group health coverage at the employee's own expense?SDCL 58-18-7.5
An issuer violates South Dakota's Medicare supplement chapter. Besides other penalties, what may the director require of it?SDCL 58-17A-16
On the first day of the plan year a South Dakota small employer plan has only one participant who is a current employee. Must the carrier issue the policy?SDCL 58-18B-20
On what terms must a South Dakota family health policy add a newly born child?SDCL 58-17-30.2
On which basis may a South Dakota small employer carrier NOT deny coverage to a small employer?SDCL 58-18B-37
On which ground may a South Dakota long-term care policy NOT be cancelled or nonrenewed?SDCL 58-17B-5
The premium for South Dakota group health continuation may not exceed 102 percent of the group rate. What is the cap for any month after the eighteenth month?SDCL 58-18-7.13
South Dakota's offered alcoholism coverage need not exceed 30 days of care in any six-month period. What total of days need it not exceed during the life of the contract?SDCL 58-17-30.6
South Dakota's own group health continuation sections apply to employers of what size?SDCL 58-18-7
South Dakota's small employer chapter counts employees on an average of working days in the preceding year. What number of employees makes an employer a small employer?SDCL 58-18B-1
What does South Dakota require of an insurer about coverage for inpatient treatment of alcoholism in an expense incurred health policy?SDCL 58-17-30.5
What must every long-term care policy offered for sale in South Dakota offer as an endorsement, unless it pays on an expense-incurred basis or is part of a life policy?SDCL 58-17B-13
What option must a South Dakota insurer offer to every beneficiary who is eligible to elect group health continuation coverage?SDCL 58-18-7.18
When do the children's benefits of a South Dakota family health policy begin for a child the insured is adopting?SDCL 58-17-30.2
When may a South Dakota producer sell a Medicare supplement policy to a person who already has one in force?SDCL 58-17A-15
When must the outline of coverage be delivered to an applicant for an individual long-term care policy in South Dakota, other than in a direct response solicitation?SDCL 58-17B-10
Where must a South Dakota group health insurer put the notification of continuation and conversion rights?SDCL 58-18-7.14
Which individual health policies are left out of South Dakota's ten-day right to return the policy for a refund?SDCL 58-17-11
Which of these may a South Dakota long-term care policy NOT do?SDCL 58-17B-5
Marketing practices and fraud 16
A person in good faith reports a suspected fraudulent insurance act to South Dakota's director of insurance. What protection does the code give?SDCL 58-4A-13
A person is damaged by a practice that South Dakota's trade practices chapter declares unlawful. What may the person recover in a civil action?SDCL 58-33-46.1
A South Dakota court finds in a civil action that a person committed a fraudulent insurance act. The civil penalty for a first violation may not exceed $5,000. What is the cap for a second violation?SDCL 58-4A-7
A South Dakota insured knowingly accepts a rebate of premium from a producer. What is the insured's own position under the code?SDCL 58-33-25
A South Dakota insurer mails a policy and obtains a certificate of mailing. When is the policyowner presumed to have received it?SDCL 58-15-8.2
A South Dakota producer delivers a life policy that has an examination period. What must the producer obtain?SDCL 58-15-8.2
An insurer offers life insurance in South Dakota in combination with the purchase of goods or services. What makes such a plan lawful?SDCL 58-33-15
In South Dakota a false insurance claim of $400 or less is a Class 2 misdemeanor. At what claim amount does presenting a false claim become a Class 4 felony?SDCL 58-33-37
South Dakota bars denying an insurance contract on the basis of sex or marital status. For what purpose may an insurer still take marital status into account?SDCL 58-33-13.1
South Dakota forbids collecting more or less than the premium specified in the policy. Which extra charge may a life insurer still collect?SDCL 58-33-36
What class of offense is knowingly making a false statement in an application for insurance in South Dakota?SDCL 58-33-37
What class of offense is twisting under South Dakota law?SDCL 58-33-8
Which act is a fraudulent insurance act under South Dakota's insurance fraud chapter?SDCL 58-4A-2
Which of these may not be issued or delivered in South Dakota as an inducement to insurance?SDCL 58-33-11
Within how many days must a South Dakota insurer acknowledge and act upon communications about a claim, to avoid an unfair practice in dealing with the insured?SDCL 58-33-67
Within how many days of receiving it must a South Dakota licensee respond to an inquiry from the Division of Insurance, to avoid an unfair or deceptive practice?SDCL 58-33-66
Guaranty association 4
A South Dakota resident insured by an insolvent life insurer dies. With net cash surrender values capped at $100,000, what is the most the guaranty association covers in life insurance death benefits on that one life?SDCL 58-29C-46
Health benefit plans aside, what is the most the South Dakota guaranty association must cover in the aggregate for any one life?SDCL 58-29C-46
May a South Dakota producer use the existence of the Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association in a sales presentation?SDCL 58-29C-62
What is the South Dakota guaranty association's limit for health benefit plans with respect to any one individual?SDCL 58-29C-46
How this list was compiled: Own questions, written from Title 58 (Insurance) of the South Dakota Codified Laws: chapters 58-1, 58-3, 58-4, 58-4A, 58-6, 58-10, 58-12, 58-15, 58-16, 58-17, 58-17A, 58-17B, 58-18, 58-18B, 58-29C, 58-30, 58-33 and 58-33A, read on 2026-10-15 on the South Dakota Legislature's website (https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/58). Each question names its section and links to it. The topics follow the South Dakota Specific outlines for the Life, the Accident and Health, and the Life and Accident and Health examinations (State Statutes, Rules and Regulations: 25, 25 and 30 scoreable questions) in the South Dakota Insurance Supplement, Examination Content Outlines effective March 1, 2024 (#124201), which print the sections of Title 58 beside each topic. The outlines and the South Dakota Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook of August 2026 (#124200) are on the examination page that the South Dakota Division of Insurance links from https://dlr.sd.gov/insurance/default.aspx (the outlines: https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/124201.pdf; the handbook: https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/124200.pdf). Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the text of the law. Nothing comes from a testing vendor, a prep course, a study guidebook or an exam question pool.
How it works
This unofficial South Dakota life and health insurance practice test covers the South Dakota Specific part of the exam: 114 of our own questions from Title 58 of the Codified Laws. Not affiliated with the South Dakota Division of Insurance.
Read the full guide
What the South Dakota Specific part asks
On the combined Life, Accident and Health exam the outline gives 30 scored questions to state law: 8 common to all lines (the director, definitions, licensing, producer duties, marketing practices, fraud), 8 on life insurance and annuities and 14 on accident and health. Taken alone, the Life exam and the Accident and Health exam each carry 25. The outline prints the sections of Title 58 beside each topic.
Where South Dakota differs
The Division of Insurance sits in the Department of Labor and Regulation, and its head is a director. The code has its own sections on selling life insurance to service members (SDCL 58-33-117 to 58-33-130). Affordable Care Act topics, and those that rest on administrative rules, such as replacement, are not asked.
A producer has 20 days to answer an inquiry from the Division; silence can cost the license without a hearing (SDCL 58-33-66, 58-30-167.2).
A life policy may not shorten the time to sue on it below six years (SDCL 58-15-51).
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the South Dakota life and health insurance exam?
The candidate handbook lists the combined Life, Accident and Health or Sickness Producer exam at 145 questions in 150 minutes. The outline counts 100 scored general questions and 30 scored South Dakota questions, plus 15 unscored pretest questions.
What is the passing score for the South Dakota insurance exam?
The handbook says the South Dakota Division of Insurance determines the passing score and that it is reported as a score of 70 on a scale of 0 to 100, which is not the percentage of questions answered correctly.
How many continuing education hours does a South Dakota insurance producer need?
A minimum of ten credit hours every two years for each qualification held, and never more than twenty hours in all, with evidence due on the last day of the birth month (SDCL 58-30-116).
How long is a passing South Dakota insurance exam score good for?
The handbook says candidates who pass a major line examination must apply within 180 days to be eligible for licensure. A failed exam may be retaken after 24 hours, with another exam fee.
Are these the real South Dakota insurance exam questions?
No. They are our own, written from Title 58 of the South Dakota Codified Laws. The Division did not write or review them.