The process of becoming a licensed insurance adjuster and obtaining an Arkansas adjuster license is very straightforward and only involves four key steps:

• Taking a state-approved pre-licensing course
• Passing an Arkansas adjuster exam
• Completing a fingerprint and background check
• Submitting a licensing application to the Arkansas Department of Insurance

This article will walk you through the entire process of getting your Arkansas insurance adjuster license step-by-step.

How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in Arkansas

Getting your Arkansas 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: Arkansas Insurance Adjuster License Application

In Arkansas, the first step to getting your insurance adjuster license is to apply for it.

Note: The fee for an online application is $20.

Apply online with the Arkansas Insurance Adjuster License Application. At the end of the application, fill up the background check form and pay the nonrefundable license fee of $24.

Be sure to email the receipts of the application and background check fee.

Step 2: 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 Arkansas insurance adjuster exam, meaning that you will be qualified to apply for your resident license as soon as your course is complete.

Step 3: Arkansas Insurance Adjuster License Exam

Once you have completed all of your coursework, you will be able to take (and hopefully pass) the Arkansas 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 Arkansas, four distinct adjuster lines are available for you to take:

• The General Adjuster license exam — This consists of twenty-five (25) questions and you have one and a half hours (1:30:00) to complete it
• The Property Adjuster license exam — This consists of twenty-five (25) questions and you have one and a half hours (1:30:00) to complete it
• The Casualty Adjuster license exam — This consists of twenty-five (25) questions and you have one and a half hours (1:30:00) to complete it
• The Workers’ Compensation Adjuster license exam — This consists of twenty-five (25) questions and you have one and a half hours (1:30:00) to complete it

An outline of included subjects for these exams can be found here:

• PSI Arkansas General Adjuster Content Outline
• PSI Arkansas Property Adjuster Content Outline
• PSI Arkansas Casualty Adjuster Content Outline
• PSI Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Adjuster Content Outline

Each attempt at the exam costs $40 and will be paid when you make your reservation.

A total score of 70% or more is required to pass this test. For more information on the scoring of the exam, we will quote the PSI Arkansas Insurance Department Licensure Candidate Information Bulletin:

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 PSI Arkansas Insurance page or by calling PSI at (833) 518-7458.

Step 4: Application Review

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

This process generally takes about forty-eight (48) 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: In Arkansas, no public adjuster license is available.

Arkansas Insurance Department Contact Information

Mailing Address:

1200 West Third Street Little Rock
Arkansas 72201

Phone: (501) 371-2750

Fax: (501) 683-2604

Email: insurance.license@arkansas.gov

Website: http://insurance.arkansas.gov