New York Insurance Adjuster License Requirements and Process

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To become a licensed insurance adjuster in New York, you'll need to meet the state's requirements. The first step is to complete a pre-licensing education course, which must be approved by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

These courses typically cover topics such as insurance law, ethics, and claims handling. You'll need to complete 24 hours of instruction to qualify for the exam. The course must be completed before you can take the licensing exam.

To apply for the licensing exam, you'll need to submit an application to the New York State Department of Financial Services. This includes providing proof of completing the pre-licensing education course and paying the required exam fee.

Getting Licensed

To get licensed as an insurance adjuster in New York, you'll need to submit a bond in the amount of $1,000 that covers the licensing period from the date issued to the expiration date.

You can obtain this bond through various means, but make sure it meets the required amount and timeframe. I've seen many applicants struggle with this step, so double-check your bond to avoid any issues.

To renew your registration, you'll need to file online and pay a fee of $600, which is due biennially by October 31. This is a standard process that many professionals are familiar with, but it's essential to note the deadline to avoid any penalties.

Surety Bond Execution

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To get licensed, you'll need to execute a surety bond. A bond in the amount of $1,000 must be submitted with your application.

The bond must cover the licensing period, which is from the date it's issued to the expiration date. This ensures you're financially responsible for any obligations during your licensed period.

To calculate the licensing period, you'll need to know the date the bond is issued and the expiration date of your license. Make sure to keep track of these dates to avoid any issues.

Registration

So you're getting licensed and need to know about registration. Registration renewal can be done online, which is a huge plus.

The agency fee for registration is a one-time payment of $600.

You'll need to keep track of the deadline, which is biennially by October 31.

This means you'll need to renew your registration every two years, so mark your calendar for October 31.

Pre-Licensing Process

To qualify for a New York insurance adjuster license, you'll need to meet the prelicensing requirements. The public adjuster candidate must complete a Department-approved prelicensing education course totaling not less than 40 hours of instruction.

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The good news is that no prelicensing course is required for the independent adjuster candidate. All adjuster applicants must, however, pass the appropriate licensing exam administered by the exam vendor within 2 years of applying for the license.

To register for the exam, use the New York PSI exams website, and be prepared to pay $50 per attempt. The exam passing score is 70%, and the number of questions and time allotted vary depending on the type of license you're working toward.

Here's a breakdown of the exam details for each license type:

Prelicensing Requirements

To qualify for a license, you'll need to meet the prelicensing requirements. The public adjuster candidate must complete a Department-approved prelicensing education course totaling not less than 40 hours of instruction.

No prelicensing course is required for the independent adjuster candidate. This is a significant difference between the two types of licenses.

All adjuster applicants must pass, within 2 years of applying for the license, the appropriate licensing exam administered by the exam vendor. You'll need to visit the Exam Vendor Information page for registration and scheduling instructions.

Here are the prelicensing requirements for public and independent adjuster candidates:

Remember, it's essential to meet these requirements before applying for your license.

Certificates of Character

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Certificates of Character are a crucial part of the pre-licensing process for Public Adjuster applicants.

To obtain a Certificate of Character, a Public Adjuster applicant must submit five certificates from community members who have personally known them for at least five years. These certificates must certify that the applicant is honest, competent, and of good character.

The applicant must also ensure that the community members certifying them are not related to them by blood or marriage.

The certificates can be uploaded with the application.

Step 2: Exam

To take the New York Adjuster Exam, you'll need to register on the New York PSI exams website. The exam price is $50 per attempt, and you'll need to score at least 70% to pass.

The exam duration varies depending on the type of license you're applying for, but most exams last one hour. You can find the specific exam details in the table below:

You can also find the full list of lines available in New York on the PSI New York Adjuster License Examinations Content Outline.

Background Check Processing

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The State of New York requires a background check as part of the licensing process. This involves providing fingerprints, which will initiate a background check.

The background check process may take some time, and it's essential to be patient and responsive to any requests for supporting documentation. You can check the status of your license online using the NYDFS portal where you applied.

The background check may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts if you have prior misdemeanors or felonies, such as fraudulent or dishonest practices. If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check, you can call the New York Department of Financial Services at (518) 474-6630 or send them an email.

You must make your fingerprinting reservations through IdentoGO and use the code 1544S3. The fee for fingerprinting services is $87.

Here are the steps to follow for fingerprinting:

  • Make an appointment through IdentoGO
  • Use the code 1544S3
  • Pay the fee of $87
  • Receive a receipt and make a copy of it, as you will need to send one in a later step

The background check process generally takes about 60-90 days, and you can check the status of your license online using the NYDFS portal.

Exam and Certification

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To become a licensed insurance adjuster in New York, you'll need to pass the New York Adjuster Exam. The exam is a proctored test that consists of 60 questions and lasts one hour, although the time and number of questions may vary depending on the type of license you're pursuing.

The exam is scored on a pass/fail basis, with a minimum score of 70% required to pass. You'll receive your score immediately after completing the exam, and if you pass, you'll receive an examination result report indicating "PASS." If you don't pass, you'll receive a diagnostic report highlighting your strengths and weaknesses.

The cost of each exam attempt is $50, and it's recommended that you study for one exam at a time to avoid confusing information. You can register for the exam on the PSI New York Insurance Page or by calling PSI at (800) 733-9267.

Insurance Exam

The insurance exam is a crucial step in becoming a licensed insurance adjuster in New York. It's a proctored test, meaning you'll be in a controlled environment with a person watching over you.

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You'll need to take one of three exams: The Independent Accident and Health Insurance Adjuster license exam, The Independent Fire Adjuster exam, or The Independent Casualty Insurance Adjuster license exam. Each exam consists of 60 questions and lasts one hour.

To pass, you'll need to achieve a minimum score of 70%. Your score will be given to you immediately following the completion of the examination. If you pass, you'll receive an examination result report indicating "PASS".

You can register to take your exams on the PSI New York Insurance Page or by calling PSI at (800) 733-9267. It's recommended that you study for one exam at a time to avoid confusing information.

The cost for each attempt of the exam is $50, and the exam outlines can be found on the PSI New York Adjuster License Examinations Content Outline.

Here's a breakdown of the different adjuster license exams:

The exam is intentionally tough to protect the average citizen from working with adjusters who don't understand the laws and guidelines surrounding insurance.

Certifications

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Certifications are a crucial part of demonstrating your expertise in insurance claims.

To be considered a great candidate, you'll need to prove that you know how to work an insurance claim. Certifications show that you know your stuff.

Xactimate certification is a top priority, as it's a widely recognized and respected credential. Insurance Company certs are also highly valued.

Having these certifications will give you a strong advantage over other candidates.

Post-Licensing

After passing the licensing exam, new insurance adjusters in New York must complete a 24-hour continuing education course every two years to maintain their license.

The cost of the post-licensing course is $50, which is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with staying up-to-date on industry developments.

After Getting Your

After getting your license, you can start exploring your career options. Most folks take one of two paths: becoming a staff adjuster or an independent adjuster.

Staff adjusters are employed by one firm, usually an insurance company. You can check current job openings on StateRequirement Jobs.

Independent adjusters operate as contractors, often being "rostered" to multiple Independent Adjusting (IA) firms. If this role interests you, check out AdjusterPro's IA Directory.

Continuing Education

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Continuing education is a must for non-resident licenses. Since New York doesn't have a continuing education requirement, non-resident licenses don't have a state to reciprocate from.

Non-resident licenses generally reciprocate CE credits from your home state, but since New York doesn't have a CE requirement, you'll need to use a CE State to solve this issue. If you have non-resident licenses, you'll still need to take continuing education.

You can skip this step if you don't have any non-resident licenses.

Department and Fees

The New York State Department of Financial Services is located at 1 State Street, New York, NY 10004-1511, and can be reached by phone at (518) 474-6630 or by email at [email protected].

You can contact them for any licensing-related inquiries. Their licensing department is available to help with your questions.

The fees for obtaining a New York insurance adjuster license vary depending on the licensing period. A non-refundable fee of $100 is charged when a license is issued for a period of more than one year, while a non-refundable fee of $50 is charged for a period of one year or less.

Here are the fees associated with the licensing period:

Department of Financial Services

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The Department of Financial Services is responsible for issuing licenses to adjusters, and their process is quite straightforward.

To get a license, you'll need to start by completing a course, which is Step 1.

The course is just the first step, as you'll also need to take an exam, which is Step 2.

After passing the exam, you'll need to submit a license application, which is Step 3.

And finally, you'll need to provide fingerprints, which is Step 4.

If you're looking to get licensed as an adjuster in New York State, you can reach out to the Department of Financial Services at (518) 474-6630 or [email protected].

Fees and Period

Licensing periods can be a bit tricky to understand. Licenses are issued for up to 2 years.

A non-refundable fee is charged when a license is issued. For a licensing period of more than one year, the fee is $100.

A non-refundable fee of $50 is charged for a license period of one year or less.

All adjuster licenses expire on December 31st of even years.

A different take: Types of Insurance Licenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the New York adjuster exam hard?

Yes, the New York adjuster exam is considered one of the most challenging in the country, requiring a significant amount of preparation and study time. If you're considering obtaining this license, be prepared for a rigorous test and additional requirements.

How much does it cost to get your adjuster license in NY?

The application fee for an independent adjuster license in NY is $100 for a full year or $50 for a half year, depending on the application date. Check the licensing schedule to determine which option applies to you.

How much does an adjuster make in NY?

In the New York City area, an Insurance Adjuster's estimated total pay is $96,830 per year, with a median salary of $81,667. Learn more about the average salary range for Insurance Adjusters in NY.

Sheldon Kuphal

Writer

Sheldon Kuphal is a seasoned writer with a keen insight into the world of high net worth individuals and their financial endeavors. With a strong background in researching and analyzing complex financial topics, Sheldon has established himself as a trusted voice in the industry. His areas of expertise include Family Offices, Investment Management, and Private Wealth Management, where he has written extensively on the latest trends, strategies, and best practices.

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