In Arizona, if you want to work as an insurance adjuster you will need an Arizona adjuster license in order to work legally. To achieve this license there are several requirements you must satisfy:

• Complete a pre-exam education course
• Successfully pass the Arizona Prometric adjuster exam
• Complete background check
• Submit a paper application to the Arizona Department of Insurance

This article explores each of these steps in detail, providing you with the quickest and most efficient way to get your Arizona insurance adjuster license.

How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in Arizona

Getting your Arizona 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-Exam Education

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.

These courses are composed of video, audio, and text and include short knowledge quizzes and practice exams, which will help you obtain the necessary understanding of the material that you will need to know for your exam.

Another benefit of purchasing an all-inclusive course is that it includes the Arizona insurance adjuster exam, meaning that you will be qualified to apply for your license as soon as your course is complete.

Step 2: Arizona Insurance Adjuster License Exam

Once you have completed all of your coursework, you will be able to take (and hopefully pass) the Arizona 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.

In Arizona, applicants only have one line of authority for adjusters:

• The Property and Casualty Adjuster — This exam consists of one hundred fifty (150) questions and you will be given two and a half hours (2:30:00) to complete it

An outline of included subjects for the state exam can be found here: Prometric Arizona Examination for Property and Casualty Insurance Adjuster Series 13-36.

Each attempt of the exam costs $56 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 Prometric Arizona Department of Insurance Licensing Information 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.

Note: You can register to take your exams — as well as find out more information — on the Prometric Arizona Insurance page or by calling Prometric at (800) 899-4184.

Alternatively, you can purchase a commercial course that comes with the Arizona state licensing exam. This will allow you to avoid having to independently find and book your test through Pearson VUE.

Step 3: Fingerprinting and Background Check

The State of Arizona 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 Arizona Department of Insurance at (602) 364-4457 or send them an email.

You will process your fingerprints through Fieldprint.

During your fingerprinting appointment, you will be given a fingerprint envelope. You must mail the unopened fingerprint envelope to the mailing address found in the contact information section.

Step 4: Arizona Insurance Adjuster License Application

Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you will be ready to apply for your adjuster license.

The fee for an online application is $120 plus a $22 FBI fingerprint card processing fee.

Apply online with the Arizona Insurance Adjuster License Application.

You must also submit Form L-152 by mail to the mailing address found in the contact information section below.

Step 5: Application Review

Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your Arizona license application will be reviewed by the Arizona Department of Insurance.

This process generally takes about twenty-four (24) hours. 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 claims adjuster services 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 – Is an independent insurance adjuster that customers choose to hire in order to settle insurance claims. Public adjusters are not hired by insurance companies

Note: To become a public adjuster, you must obtain a standard adjuster license, get an appointment from a public adjusting firm, gain work experience, and eventually pass an additional exam.

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions Contact Information

Mailing Address:

100 North 15th Avenue,
Suite 261 Phoenix,
Arizona 85007

Phone: (602) 364-4457

Email: licensing@azinsurance.gov

Website: https://insurance.az.gov/