The key steps you’ll need to undertake in order to get your Alaska adjuster license include:

• Completing your adjuster pre-exam education
• Passing the Alaska insurance adjuster exam
• Undergoing both fingerprinting and a background check
• Once these steps have been successfully completed, it’s time to submit your licensing application to the Alaska Department of Insurance

The focus of this article is to deliver a comprehensive guide to assist you in getting qualified and obtaining an Alaska insurance adjuster license as soon as possible.

How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in Alaska

Getting your Alaska adjuster license can be a simple and easy process, but this will ultimately depend on how you go about completing the required steps.

Step 1: Adjuster Pre-License Education

The first step in getting an Alaska insurance adjuster resident license is obtaining the necessary experience. To fill the pre-license requirement, you must complete a certain amount of credit hours depending on the lines of authority (types of licenses) you wish to attain.

You must complete six (6) months of pre-license experience for the Independent Adjuster Insurance line. You may apply as a Trainee Independent Adjuster first.

As a Trainee Independent Adjuster, you must be employed and supervised by a licensed independent adjuster. On your 4th month as a trainee, you may take the state exam. Once you pass, you will need to wait for two months, then you may apply for the independent adjuster license.

Preparing for your exam is not something to take lightly. This is because the average pass rate of insurance exams nationwide is around 55% for first-time test-takers and even less for any following attempts.

This means that it is generally recommended that you complete some form of education — such as purchasing a study guide or a state-approved online course — before sitting your exam.

Step 2: Alaska Insurance Adjuster License Exam

Once you have completed all of your coursework, you will be able to take (and hopefully pass) the Alaska insurance adjuster license exam.

This is a proctored test, which means that you will be in a controlled environment with a person watching over you. It is, therefore, a good idea to work on both your timing and nerves prior to sitting for your exam.

For insurance claims adjusters, Alaska only offers one line of authority you can take:

• The Independent Adjuster exam — This consists of eighty (80) questions and you will be given one and a half hours (1:30:00) to complete it

An outline of included subjects for the exam can be found here: Pearson VUE Alaska Examination Content Outlines.

Each attempt at the exam costs $89 and will be paid when you make your reservation.

A total score of 70% or more is required to pass this test. To further explain the scoring of the exam, we will quote the Pearson VUE Alaska Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook:

StateRequirement recommends that you study for one exam at a time. This is because insurance adjuster exams are difficult enough on their own without the possibility of confusing information from one line to another. This will allow you to work incrementally towards completing your final exam.

You can register to take your exams — as well as find out more information — on the Pearson VUE Alaska Insurance page or by calling Pearson VUE at (800) 274-5993.

Note: Before registering for your exam, we recommend completing some form of pre-exam education. Even though this is not a legal requirement in Alaska, it can go a long way in ensuring that you pass your exam on your first attempt.

3: Alaska Insurance Adjuster License Application

Once you have completed your pre-licensing requirement and examination, the next step is applying for your license.

Note: The fee for an application is $75.

Apply online with the Alaska Insurance Adjuster License Application.

4: Fingerprinting and Background Check

The State of Alaska requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check.

If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies (such as fraudulent or dishonest practices), this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts.

If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check you may call the Alaska Division of Insurance at (907) 465-2515 or send them an email.

You may process your fingerprints with IdentoGO or check the Alaska Approved Fingerprinting Provider near you.

Note: The fee for fingerprinting services is $48.25.

During your fingerprinting appointment, you will be given a fingerprint envelope. You must mail the unopened fingerprint envelope via:

• USPS: To PO Box 110805 Juneau, AK 99811-0805
• Or via courier (FedEx or UPS): To the mailing address found in the contact information section below

5: Application Review

Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your Alaska license application will be reviewed by the state.

This process generally takes about ten (10) business days. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.

After the review is complete, you will receive an email from the state regarding the status of your license.

Congratulations!

You’ve done the work, put in the time and effort, and now hold the key to your own success! We’re proud of you. Take five minutes and celebrate.

What Kind of Insurance Adjuster Will You Be?

There are four main types of insurance adjusters: staff adjusters, independent adjusters, catastrophe adjusters, and public adjusters.

Each of these positions accomplishes essentially the same task: assess the damage to property brought about by some event and make an evaluation of what monetary value the insurance claim should carry.

The big difference between these different types of insurance adjusters is who pays them and, in the case of the public adjuster, who they are advocating for. Staff, independent, and catastrophe adjusters all require the same type of license, while a public adjuster license is a little different in its specifications.

• Staff Adjuster – Works directly for one insurance company in order to investigate, evaluate, and potentially settle claims
• Independent Adjuster – Works for a third-party company, often called an Independent Adjusting Firm, which has been contracted by insurance carriers to help settle their claims
• Catastrophe (CAT) Adjuster – Can be an independent or staff adjuster who travels to an area that has been largely affected by an event (usually severe weather) and performs adjustment services to insurance claims en masse
• Inside Adjuster – Inside adjusters, sometimes referred to as “desk” or “remote” adjusters, handle claims from an office. They are the policyholder’s main contact and the person who applies the policy terms and standards to the claim
• Public Adjuster – Independent insurance adjusters that customers choose to hire in order to settle insurance claims. Public adjusters are not hired by insurance companies

Note: In Alaska no public adjuster license is available.

Alaska Division of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Anchorage Office	Juneau Office
Division of Insurance Robert B. Atwood Building550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1560Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3567	Division of Insurance P.O. Box 110805Juneau, Alaska 99801-0805

Contact Details: 

Anchorage Office	Juneau Office
Fax: (907) 269-7910 Phone number: (907) 269-7900	Fax: (907) 465-3422 Phone number: (907) 465-2515

Email: insurance@alaska.gov

Website: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ins/