WASHINGTON ADJUSTER LICENSING INFORMATION
License Types
Independent Adjuster
"Independent Adjuster” means an adjuster representing the interests of the insurer. Independent Adjusters are licensed in Washington.License Type: Individual and Business Entity
Public Adjuster
Public Adjuster means an adjuster employed by and representing solely the financial interests of the insured named in the policy. Public Adjusters are licensed in Washington.License Type: Individual and Business Entity
Crop Adjuster
The commissioner may issue a crop adjuster license.License Type: Individual
Company Adjuster
Company Adjusters are not licensed in WashingtonEmergency Adjuster
Effective July 25, 2021 all independent adjusters who are not licensed in Washington State will be required to register using the registration form if they will be working claims in the state following the governor's emergency or disaster declaration: The form may only be completed once the disaster has been declared and the declaration made public. Please note, this is not a one-time registration. The emergency adjuster registration form must be completed for each declared disaster. All resident adjusters must be licensed, regardless of whether a disaster has been declared by the governor.Exclusions
An attorney-at-law who adjusts insurance losses from time to time incidental to the practice of his or her profession, or an adjuster of marine losses, or a salaried employee of an insurer or of a managing general agent is not deemed to be an adjuster.Licensing Requirements
Requirements
To become a licensed Washington insurance adjuster, individuals must:Be 18 years of age or more.
Be trustworthy and competent.
If a resident of Washington, meet one of the following experience or education criteria:12 consecutive months of experience as a full-time salaried employee of an insurer or a general agent, adjusting, investigating, or reporting claims arising under insurance contracts. You will have to submit a statement from your employer verifying this employment. Applicants who meet this requirement are exempt from examination.
Successful completion of the Associate in Claims (AIC) program.
Adjuster Trainee Program. Your employer must notify the Washington Insurance Department that you are beginning the Trainee program, and the program must meet certain criteria.
All residents (except those with one year of experience) must take the Washington exam administered by Pearson VUE.
Submit fingerprints (residents only).
The following applicants may be licensed reciprocally and do not need the Washington exam:
Non-residents who hold an adjuster license by examination in their home state;
Non-residents whose home state does not license adjusters, but who passed an examination for an adjuster license in another state.
Reciprocity and Non Residents
Washington will grant non-resident licenses to applicants who hold a resident license by examination in their home state, as long as that state in turn grants non-resident licenses to Washington residents. If a non-resident’s home state does not license adjusters or does not require an exam, the applicant may designate, for licensing purposes, a “home state” in which they hold an adjuster license by examination. If you do not hold a resident license in any state, you will have to take the Washington exam..Reciprocity with Texas license
Reciprocal with Texas License? Yes.
You must hold a resident license somewhere in order to enjoy reciprocity through your Texas license in Washington.
Pre Licensing Education
The state of Washington licenses residents who have passed the state exam, administered by Pearson VUE. Non-residents are exempt from this requirement if they hold an adjuster license by examination in their resident state, or, if their resident state does not license adjusters, in any other state that requires an examination.Bond Requirement
Requires Adjuster Bond.
Type of Adjuster: Public Adjusters
Amount: $5,000
Bond Expiration information: Filing date anniversary every 2 years
How to Apply
For Residents:- Meet the experience or education requirement.
- Schedule and pass your exam.
- Apply online through the OIC Licensing ServicesHave your proof of experience and exam score report ready. You'll need to attach them electronically or mail them in.
- Submit fingerprints. You may request a blank fingerprint card here. (Electronically taken prints, as as long as they are printed on a hard-copy fingerprint card, will be accepted.)
- E-fingerprinting is now available and is the preferred way to submit fingerprints
- Get your fingerprints taken at your local law enforcement agency of if you are a resident through Pearson VUE exam sites. For more information, or to schedule a reservation, call Morpho Trust (previously L-1 Services) at 888-771-5097.
- Please send your card via regular mail to: Attn: Licensing, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, P.O. Box 40257, Olympia, WA 98504-0257.
- Coming late summer or early fall of 2012, e-fingerprinting services will be available.
For Non-Residents: - Apply online, either through the OIC Licensing Services or through NIPR:
- Fingerprinting is no longer required for non-resident applicants.
Maintaining Your License
Renewal
This is a 2-year license.To renew your license, you'll need to complete your renewal application and pay renewal fees online. Prior to the effective date of the new rule change, licensees were able to submit their renewal applications and insurers were able to submit their appointment renewals 60 days prior to the expiration date. This is referred to as the "renewal window." The new rule extends this renewal window to 90 days prior to the expiration date rather than 60 days. Insurers and licensees will receive email notifications of their opportunities to access their license or appointment renewals.
Online renewals through NIPR are available only for non-resident licensees starting 60 days prior to their expiry date. Late renewals are not possible via the NIPR online system, and can only be processed through state-specific site.
Continuing Education
Effective July 1, 2022, all adjusters (independent, public and crop) who are licensed as a resident of this state or who have declared Washington as their designated home state will be required to complete 24 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics training. This must be completed during each license renewal period of two years.
The CE requirement will go into effect July 1, 2022. Resident adjusters whose license renewal is July 31, 2022, will be the first to be required to meet this new requirement, as well as all resident adjuster licensees after July 2022.
License Termination or Lapse
No specific rules are found.Fees
| Filing Fee | $5 |
| License Fee | $50 |
| Fingerprint Processing Fee (background check for residents only) | $49.25. This fee reflects the combined cost of the background check fee and IDEMIA IdentoGO's additional charge for providing the service, also known as a rolling fee. E-fingerprint services are offered at most exam centers and all IDEMIA IdentoGO centers.This service can be scheduled to coincide with the date and location of your insurance exam(s), or you may visit an IdentoGO center (www.identogo.com) at your convenience. There are more than 30 locations in Washington state, so there's probably a location close to you. For more information, or to schedule fingerprint reservations at any of the available Washington state centers, please contact IdentoGO at 888-771-5097 or online (www.identogo.com). |
| Renewal Fee | $50 |
Contact Information
Attn: Licensing, Office of Insurance Commissioner, P. O. Box 40257, Olympia, WA 98504-0257
For overnight mail: 5000 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 725-7144, 800-562-6900 Fax: (360) 586-2019, Email:licinfo@oic.wa.gov
http://www.insurance.wa.gov/