Do insurance claims adjusters need to be licensed?

It depends on the state. Some states require claims adjusters to complete prelicensing education and pass a licensing exam, while others have few requirements. In some states, adjusters employed by insurance companies do not need an individual license because they can work under the company's license. Public adjusters, who represent policyholders rather than insurers, often face separate requirements, including exams and surety bonds.

Yes, independent adjusters who handle claims in Alabama must be licensed by the state. Applicants must pass one of the four Alabama adjuster exams, complete a fingerprint background check, and apply through NIPR for a $110 fee. Public adjusters are the exception: they are not licensed or regulated by the Alabama Department of Insurance, and the Alabama State Bar considers negotiating claims on behalf of an insured to be the practice of law.

Yes. Arizona licenses insurance adjusters, and residents must pass the state adjuster exam, which is administered by PSI and requires a 70% score to pass. The adjuster license fee is $120, fingerprints are required, and the license renews every four years for $120. Arizona imposes no continuing education requirement for adjusters.

Yes, in most cases. Georgia licenses independent adjusters, including Property and Casualty adjuster, public adjuster, crop/hail adjuster, and workers' compensation adjuster licenses. The exception is staff adjusters, who are salaried employees of an insurance company: they are not licensed but are registered by their insurer, with an annual registration fee of $50 per adjuster plus $5 processing. After a declared disaster, nonresident adjusters licensed in another state may work in Georgia for up to 60 days with prior notice to the department.

Yes. Louisiana requires claims adjusters to be licensed, whether they act for insurers or, as public adjusters, for policyholders. To qualify, you must be at least 18, reside in or maintain a principal place of business in Louisiana, pass an exam, submit a $75 application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), and be fingerprinted. Resident adjusters must also complete 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics, to renew.

No, Maryland does not license staff or independent adjusters who adjust claims for insurers. Only public adjusters, who adjust claims on behalf of policyholders, need a Maryland license: they must pass the public adjuster exam, pay the $50 fee, and complete 24 hours of continuing education each renewal period. Maryland residents who want an independent adjuster license generally obtain a Designated Home State license from another state that issues them.

Massachusetts licenses public insurance adjusters but does not license independent or staff adjusters. Public adjusters, who represent policyholders in the claims process, must be at least 21, have at least two years of property loss adjusting experience, and pass the Massachusetts Public Insurance Adjuster exam. The license costs $200, renews every 3 years, and requires 15 hours of continuing education each licensing period.

Yes, in New York both independent and public adjusters must hold a license. Independent adjuster candidates need no prelicensing course but must pass the exam, while public adjuster candidates must complete a 40-hour prelicensing course, pass the exam, post a $1,000 bond, and submit five certificates of character. The license fee is $100 for terms over one year and $50 for one year or less.

Yes. Texas requires insurance adjusters to hold a license issued by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), which offers several adjuster license types: all lines, designated home state, property and casualty, public insurance, workers' compensation, trainee, and emergency catastrophe licenses. For the standard licenses, you pass the Pearson VUE exam, complete fingerprinting, and apply through Sircon with a $50 application fee within one year of passing the exam.