S.C. Code Ann. § 38-92-40: Public adjusters; licensure application; qualifications; fingerprints; exam.

(A) A person applying for a public adjuster license shall make application to the director on the appropriate application form.

(B) The applicant must declare under penalty of refusal, suspension, or revocation of the license that the statements made in the application are true, correct, and complete to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief.

(C) Before issuing a public adjuster license to an applicant under this section, the director must find that the applicant:

(1) is eligible to designate this State as his home state;

(2) has not committed any act that is a ground for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license as set forth in Section 38-92-90;

(3) is trustworthy, reliable, and of good reputation, evidence of which may be determined by the director;

(4) is financially responsible to exercise the license and has provided proof of financial responsibility as required in Section 38-92-100;

(5) has paid the biennial license fee; and

(6) maintains an office in the home state of residence with public access by reasonable appointment or regular business hours.

(D) The applicant must undergo a state criminal records check, supported by his fingerprints, by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and a national criminal records check, supported by his fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The results of these criminal records checks must be reported to the department. SLED is authorized to retain the fingerprints for use in identification purposes including, but not limited to, unsolved latent prints. The cost associated with the criminal history records checks must be borne by the applicant. The applicant's fingerprints must be certified by a law enforcement officer authorized by SLED.

(E) In addition to satisfying the requirements of subsections (A), (B), and (C), an individual must:

(1) be at least eighteen years of age;

(2) be a person of good moral character and has not been convicted of a felony or any act within the last ten years that is a ground for denial, suspension, or revocation as provided for in Section 38-92-90 or been convicted of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or other financial- or insurance-related crime within five years;

(3) have successfully passed the public adjuster examination; and

(4) furnish a complete set of his fingerprints and the required fees and information in accordance with this subsection to the director. Failure to furnish the complete set of fingerprints and required fees constitutes grounds for denial of an application for licensure. However, the director may waive the fingerprinting requirements if it is impossible for the applicant to provide fingerprints due to a medically certified physical injury.

(F) The director may require any documents reasonably necessary to verify the information contained in the application for licensure including, but not limited to, a driver's license.