How do I become a certified claims adjuster?

The steps depend on your state: some states have few requirements, while others require prelicensing education, a licensing exam, or both, and in some states adjusters employed by insurance companies can work under the company license. To qualify, check your state's rules, complete any required education, and pass the exam where one is required. Public adjusters, who represent policyholders, face separate requirements in many states, including a surety bond.

In Alaska, you must be at least 18, pass the Pearson VUE adjuster exam (80 scored questions, $89 fee), and have at least six months of active claims experience within the last two years, or equivalent special education or training in handling claims. You then submit the application with one fingerprint card; the independent adjuster license fee is $75. If you lack the experience, you can apply as a trainee adjuster, select only property and casualty lines, and work under an Alaska-licensed independent adjuster supervisor.

In Delaware, you become a licensed claims adjuster by applying online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), passing the Pearson VUE adjuster exam for each line of authority (Property, Casualty, Motor Vehicle, Marine and Transportation, Surety, or Workers Compensation), and submitting state and FBI criminal history reports dated within 90 days of receipt. The resident adjuster license fee is $150, reflecting a $25 increase effective May 7, 2025. Resident crop adjusters submit a CAPP card in lieu of the exam.

DC licenses public insurance adjusters; it has no independent adjuster licensing regime. To become a DC public adjuster, pass the Pearson VUE Public Adjuster exam (50 scored questions, 1 hour), apply electronically at nipr.com, and pay the $100 biennial license fee. Public adjusters must hold a $20,000 bond and keep records for at least five years after each transaction.

Florida licenses claims adjusters as all-lines adjusters (6-20) through the Department of Financial Services. One path is completing an approved adjuster designation program, such as the Accredited Claims Adjuster course, which exempts you from the state examination under Fla. Stat. 626.221; the other is passing the state examination through Pearson VUE. Either way, you apply through MyProfile with the $50 application fee plus the $5 License ID fee, submit fingerprints, and must be appointed before the license is valid.

In Georgia, you become a licensed adjuster by completing a 16-hour Property and Casualty adjuster course (8.0 hours per major line), passing the Pearson VUE adjuster exam, and applying at sircon.com/georgia with the $120 fee. You must also submit a completed Citizenship Affidavit and electronic fingerprints for a background check. Georgia separately licenses public adjusters, who take a Public Adjuster course and exam and must post a $5,000 bond.

Illinois does not license staff or independent company adjusters. The state licenses only public adjusters, who represent policyholders in claims. To become one, pass the public adjuster exam through Pearson VUE ($92 fee, which includes a $50 state administrative fee), then apply through NIPR, paying the $250 license fee and submitting a $50,000 surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit through the NIPR document warehouse.

In Maine, you become a licensed resident adjuster by passing a Pearson VUE adjuster exam: Property & Casualty, Multiple-Peril Crop, or Workers' Compensation, each with 50 questions in 60 minutes at a $55 fee. After passing, submit a license application and fee to the Maine Bureau of Insurance, which reviews it before issuing the license.

In Montana, you become a licensed adjuster by passing the adjuster exam, applying through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), and submitting fingerprints for a state and federal background check. The Multi-line Adjuster exam has 88 scoreable questions, costs $65, and requires a passing score of 75%. The adjuster application fee is $50. Public adjusters must also file a $5,000 surety bond, provide copies of their contracts, and maintain a public office in Montana.

New Hampshire licenses adjusters rather than certifying them. As a resident, you must pass the PSI adjuster exam, either Property and Casualty (12-75, $72) or Workers' Compensation (12-76, $59), then apply online through NIPR with a $75 license fee. Non-residents qualify with a home-state adjuster license or 6 months of verifiable adjuster experience.

In North Carolina, apply for an Adjuster license online at www.nipr.com, then pass the Pearson VUE adjuster exam. The exam has 100 scored questions plus 20 pretest questions in 2 hours 15 minutes, costs $45 per attempt, and requires a passing score of 70. No prelicensing education is required for adjusters, and fingerprints are not required for the Adjuster license. Adjusters already licensed in another state, except NY, CA, and HI, are exempt from the exam and must apply within 90 days of establishing North Carolina residence.

North Dakota does not license private or staff adjusters who represent insurance companies, so no state license is required for that role. The state does license public adjusters, who represent policyholders. To become one, pass the $58 Public Adjuster exam (120 minutes, 70% to pass), apply for the $100 license through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), and submit evidence of a $20,000 bond.

Rhode Island does not certify claims adjusters; it licenses them. To become a company, independent, or public adjuster, you pass the applicable Rhode Island adjuster exam at a Pearson VUE test center, wait 3-5 days for results to post, provide a certified background check (BCI) from the state Attorney General no more than 30 days old, and apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) with a $250 fee. Licenses renew every two years and require 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics.

South Dakota does not license property or casualty adjusters, so no state adjuster license is required to handle those claims in the state. To sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance, however, you must hold a producer license, pass the exam for your lines of authority, and be appointed by an insurer.

Texas does not issue a "certified" adjuster credential; you become licensed through the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Licenses include all-lines (the broadest), property and casualty, workers' compensation, and public insurance adjuster. For the all-lines or property and casualty license, pass the Pearson VUE exam or qualify for a waiver, such as a TDI-approved adjusting course completed within the last 12 months or the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) or Associate in Claims (AIC) designation. Then get fingerprinted and apply through Sircon within one year.

To become a licensed Property and Casualty adjuster in Vermont, you must be at least 18 years old, pass the Prometric Adjuster's Property and Casualty exam, and meet an experience requirement: two years handling loss claims, special training, or supervision by a Vermont-licensed adjuster with 3 or more years of experience. The paper application requires the NAIC Uniform Individual Application, your original score report, a $30.00 application fee, and a $120.00 license fee.

Wyoming licenses adjusters through three steps: pass the Wyoming Insurance Adjuster Licensing Exam through Pearson VUE, apply and pay the $100 resident fee through Sircon, and submit fingerprints for a $39 background check. The adjuster lines of authority are Property, Casualty, and Crop. Crop adjuster applicants can skip the exam if they hold a CAP certification.