Getting a Alaska insurance adjuster license requires completing a few steps to apply for a resident license in your state.
Alaska requires an adjuster to successfully pass an exam before obtaining a license. To become an insurance adjuster in Alaska, simply complete the steps below to get your insurance adjuster license.
What Kind of Insurance Adjuster Will You Be?
There are four main types of insurance adjusters: staff adjuster, independent adjuster, catastrophe adjuster, and public adjuster.
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 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 an insurance company
- Independent Adjuster – Works for a third-party company who performs insurance adjuster work and is contracted by an insurance company
- Catastrophe (CAT) Adjuster – An independent adjuster who travels to an area that has been largely affected by an event (usually severe weather) and performs claims adjuster services en masse
- Public Adjuster – Is an advocate for the insurance customer, not the insurance company (requires a different type of license)
This article provides five easy steps on how to get a Alaska insurance adjuster license. These steps cover the process of applying for a standard insurance claims adjuster license (sometimes known as an independent adjuster license).
How to Get Your Insurance Adjuster License in Alaska
Step 1. Adjuster Pre-License Education
The first step in getting an Alaska insurance adjuster 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.
Recommended Course
For Alaska insurance adjuster pre-license education courses and exam prep, StateRequirement recommends:
Step 2. Alaska Insurance Adjuster License Exam
The next step after completing your pre-licensing requirement is to take and 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. For people who haven’t tested in a situation like this should be aware of this fact, and work on taming their nerves prior to sitting for the exam. When you arrive at the exam location you must have a photo ID any other documents that the testing facility has asked you to bring.
Alaska offers one line of authority for an adjuster: Independent Adjuster. This exam consists of eighty (80) questions and you will be given one and a half hours (1:30) to complete it.
An outline of included subjects for the exam can be found here: Pearson VUE Alaska Examination Content Outlines.
Each attempt of 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:
Scaled Score
There are multiple versions of each of the licensing examinations. These versions are known as forms. Although all forms of an examination are developed based on the content outlines, the difficulty of the forms of an examination may vary slightly because different questions appear on each form. To ensure that no candidate is put at an unfair advantage or disadvantage due to the particular form of an examination that he or she is given, a statistical procedure known as equating is used to correct for differences in form difficulty. The passing score of an examination was set by the Alaska Division of Insurance (in conjunction with Pearson VUE) after a comprehensive study was completed for each examination. Raw scores are converted into scaled scores. To avoid misuse of score information, numeric scores are only reported to failing candidates. The scaled score that is reported to you is neither the number of questions you answered correctly nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly. With a passing score of 70, any score below 70 indicates how close the candidate came to passing, rather than the actual number or percentage of questions the candidates answered correctly.
Insurance license tests are intentionally difficult, but not impossible by any means. You should study to the point of comfortability with the information before you attempt the test. Failing the exam isn’t the end of the world, but keep in mind that you will need to pay the fee each time you attempt the test.
You may register to take your exams and find more information on the Pearson VUE Alaska Insurance page or by calling Pearson VUE at (800) 274-5993.
3. Alaska Insurance Adjuster License Application
Once you have completed your pre-licensing requirement and examination, the next step is applying for your license.
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, 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.
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) at 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 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 (5) minutes and celebrate.
Alaska Division of Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Juneau Office
333 Willoughby Avenue, 9th Floor
Juneau, Alaska 99801-3597
P.O. Box 110805
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 465-2515
Fax: (907) 465-3422
Anchorage Office
Robert B. Atwood Building
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1560
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3597
Phone: (907) 269-7900
Fax: (907) 465-3422
Email: insurance@alaska.gov
Website: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ins/
Alaska Insurance Adjuster License FAQ
How long does it take to become an insurance adjuster in Alaska?
In Alaska, the process of insurance adjuster licensing can range from a few weeks to a few months (pre-exam education, pre-license exam, background checks, license application, and application review). Follow the steps above to get your insurance license in Alaska.
Do you need a license to become an insurance adjuster?
Yes. Earning an insurance adjuster license allows you to increase your income potential, add to your credibility, and qualify for advanced employment opportunities.
Is being an insurance adjuster difficult?
Being an insurance adjuster can be a highly rewarding role. In fact, insurance claims adjusters enjoy their work and report high levels of job satisfaction, according to Payscale.
How much do insurance adjusters make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most recent median annual salary for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators was $65,080. This was higher than the median salary for all occupations in May 2021, which was $45,760. The highest earners worked for the government, with a median salary of $81,890. If you want to work as a catastrophe (CAT) adjuster in areas frequently affected by natural disasters (like the Gulf Coast), you will likely have higher earnings potential and employment. For independent insurance adjusters that work on commission rather than salary, the high demand for claims adjusters in these areas can result in a lot of business.
What skills are needed to be an insurance adjuster?
Insurance claims adjusters typically investigate insurance claims and travel to locations to inspect property (such as automobiles, buildings, etc.), assess damage, and make notes on repairs and costs. Insurance adjusters deal with individuals in high-stress situations a lot so you must have a professional attitude at all times. Due to the nature of the job, insurance claims adjusters must have excellent communications skills, write clearly, be comfortable with math and basic computer software, and have a flexible schedule since they travel a lot to areas hit by disasters with irregular work hours. Insurance adjusters must have specific industry knowledge to interpret contracts, determine insurance claim payouts, and make recommendations for how the insurance company proceeds in resolving the claim.
Do you need a degree to be an insurance adjuster?
You don’t need a four-year degree to become licensed as an insurance adjuster. However, you will need to complete your education requirements or pass the Alaska insurance adjuster exam to be a licensed insurance adjuster. One of the prerequisites to fulfill your education requirements is to complete a minimum number of hours of college level insurance-related coursework. If you are working on an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, you can take courses that will work toward the Alaska insurance adjuster license requirements.