California Insurance Adjuster License Overview and How to Obtain

To become a licensed insurance adjuster in California, you'll need to meet the state's requirements and pass a series of exams.

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is responsible for regulating and licensing insurance adjusters in the state. You'll need to submit an application and pay the required fees to the CDI.

The CDI requires a minimum of 20 hours of pre-licensing education to qualify for the insurance adjuster license exam. This education covers topics such as insurance law, ethics, and claims handling.

You'll need to choose between a resident and non-resident license, depending on your situation. A resident license is required if you're a California resident, while a non-resident license is required if you're from another state.

To become a licensed insurance adjuster in California, you'll need to pass a licensing exam. You must score 60% or higher to pass, so it's essential to prepare thoroughly.

The exam fee is not included in the initial licensing cost, so be prepared for an additional fee if you need to retake the exam.

To apply for a California Insurance Adjuster License, start by submitting your license application online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). This is the quickest and easiest way to get the process started.

You'll need to upload several documents, including a 2×2 passport photo, a surety bond in the sum of $2,000, and a completed Form LIC 31 A-14. The surety bond must be executed by a California-admitted surety and signed by the principal (you).

The fee to submit an application is $311. You can check the status of your application online through the California Department of Insurance website.

After you've submitted your application and completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process can take anywhere from 15 to 45 working days.

You can check the status of your application online through the California Department of Insurance website. This is a convenient way to stay up-to-date on the progress of your application.

The Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation if your background check raises any concerns. Make sure to respond promptly to any requests to avoid delays in the process.

Here are the typical steps involved in the application review process:

Once the review is complete, you'll receive an email from the state regarding the status of your license. This is an important step, so be sure to keep an eye on your email for updates.

The State of California requires a fingerprinting and background check for insurance license applicants prior to licensing.

This process may affect your licensing efforts if you have prior misdemeanors or felonies.

You can have your fingerprints taken at a PSI test center after your adjuster exam or arrange an appointment with a Live Scan Fingerprinting vendor approved by the California Department of Justice.

The fingerprinting vendor will need a completed Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016) to complete during your visit.

The fee for fingerprinting services varies between $50 and $70, depending on the vendor you choose.

You can call the California Department of Insurance at (800) 967-9331 or send an email if you have specific questions about your background check.

Passing a licensing exam is a crucial step in becoming a licensed insurance adjuster in California. To pass the exam, you'll need to score 70% or higher, as stated in the California Insurance CE Final Exam Regulations.

The exam is a proctored test, which means you'll be in a controlled environment with a person watching over you. You'll have two hours and thirty minutes to complete the 100-question exam, and the cost is $79 if you take it at a California Department of Insurance (CDI) Examination Site, or $122 if you take it at a PSI Test Center.

You'll need to study hard to pass the exam, as adjuster exams are difficult enough on their own. It's recommended to complete some form of pre-exam education before registering for your exam.

Here are the exam details:

Remember, passing the exam is just the first step in becoming a licensed insurance adjuster in California. After passing the exam, you'll need to complete the required continuing education hours and other licensing requirements to maintain your license.

If you're a non-resident looking to sell LTC insurance products in California, you'll need to meet some specific requirements. To start, non-resident agents must complete an 8-hour NAIC LTC course.

This course is a one-time requirement before you can begin selling LTC insurance products in California. You'll also need to complete an 8-hour General LTC training follow-up course every year for the first 4 years you're licensed, and then every 2 years after that.

Here are the key compliance periods for LTC training:

As a non-resident agent, you'll need to meet California's specific requirements to sell, solicit, or negotiate LTC insurance products. You must complete a California-specific 8-hour NAIC LTC course.

This initial requirement is a one-time deal, but there are ongoing requirements you'll need to meet. You'll need to complete an 8-hour General LTC training follow-up course every year for the first 4 years you're licensed.

Here's a summary of the ongoing requirements:

This training is required for each compliance period, so be sure to mark your calendar and plan accordingly.

Reporting your credits to the relevant authorities is a crucial step in meeting your continuing education requirements. You'll need to report your credits to your state or regulatory authority.

The cost to report your credits varies, with Sircon requiring $0.65 per credit hour. State Insurance completions are reported twice a business day, but if you complete a course after 2 PM PT, it will be reported the next business day.

As an added service, The Success Family of CE Companies offers Rapid Reporting for an additional $25 per credit order, allowing you to report your credits the same business day. This can be a convenient option if you're working on multiple courses at once.

CFP reports are sent electronically to the CFP Board on Friday at 2 PM PT. This is an important deadline to keep in mind if you're a CFP professional.

If you're a business owner, you know that keeping your license up to date is crucial. A change in your qualified manager, branch manager, officer, or partner must be reported to the Department within 30 days.

To do this, you'll need to file a Personal Identification form LIC 31A-9 for each new qualified manager, officer, or partner. You'll also need to surrender the Pocket Identification Card issued for the previously named qualified manager.

If your business is a corporation, any change in officers, partners, stockholders owning 10% or more of the corporate stock, directors, or controlling persons must be reported immediately to the Department. You'll need to provide full names, residence address, and social security number for each individual.

Changes to your business entity's ownership or management require prompt reporting to the Department. This ensures your license remains compliant and avoids any potential issues.

In the event of a declared emergency situation, the Insurance Commissioner takes action to ensure that claims are handled properly. This includes making registration and certification links available on CDI's Adjuster Online Services.

Insurers can register adjusters not licensed in California to work on claims during the emergency. These adjusters must be under the active direction of a licensed adjuster or insurer authorized to do business in California.

The work performed by non-resident adjusters must be closely supervised by a licensed professional. This is to ensure that claims are handled fairly and in compliance with California insurance laws.

During an emergency, qualified insurance adjusters and firms can also register their employees to work on claims. These employees must be authorized to adjust claims and be under the direction of a licensed adjuster or manager.

To obtain a California insurance adjuster license, you'll need to pay various fees. The license application fee is $311 per qualified manager for a two-year term.

The examination fee is $79 and will be charged when you schedule your examination using the PSI exam scheduling service.

You'll also need to obtain a Branch Office Certificate, which costs $52.

Fingerprint processing fees vary, so be sure to check the Fingerprint processing link for the most up-to-date information.

Here's a breakdown of the fees you can expect to pay:

To become a licensed insurance adjuster in California, you'll need to satisfy the state's mandatory experience requirement. This means obtaining at least 4,000 hours of experience (two years) in the profession, according to Cal. Ins. Code § 14025 and Cal. Code Regs. tit. 10 § 2691.4.

You can gain this experience by working as a staff adjuster for an insurance provider or by applying for California's Apprentice Public Adjuster license and working under a licensed public adjuster.

Once you have the required experience, you'll need to complete a recommended course to prepare for your exams. This will help you understand the material and feel more confident on test day.

After completing your exams and fingerprinting, you can apply for your license. This is an exciting step, and with the right preparation, you'll be well on your way to becoming a licensed insurance adjuster in California.

Here are the different types of insurance adjusters you can become: