Kentucky Insurance Adjuster License

Written by: Kevelyn Rodriguez

Last updated:

Kentucky Insurance Adjuster License

With the correct approach, setting out to obtain your Kentucky adjuster license is a simple and straightforward endeavor.

Once you’ve completed your preliminary coursework and successfully cleared the Kentucky adjuster examination of your preference, you will need to undergo a background verification and forward your licensing request to the Department of Insurance.

In this article, we offer everything you need to know in order to get started, helping you find the best way of getting your Kentucky insurance adjuster license.

Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend using AdjusterPro’s online study packages, which come with a 98% satisfaction rate.

4.8 out of 5 starsAdjusterPro ($179+)

How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in Kentucky

Getting your Kentucky 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(s).

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.

Even though this is not a legal prerequisite in Kentucky, we believe that purchasing a pre-exam course can go a long way in ensuring that you pass your exam(s) on your first attempt.

Recommended Course

Over 80% of our readers use AdjusterPro’s online courses — which come with a 98% satisfaction rate — when preparing for their insurance adjuster exam(s). For comprehensive study packages, StateRequirement recommends:

4.8 out of 5 starsAdjusterPro ($179+)

Step 2: Kentucky Insurance Adjuster License Exam

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

Kentucky offers the Property and Casualty Adjuster line, Workers’ Compensation Adjuster line, and Crop Adjuster line.

  • The Property and Casualty Adjuster license exam — Which consists of fifty (50) questions, and you have one hour (1:00:00) to complete it
  • The Workers’ Compensation Adjuster license exam — Which consists of fifty (50) questions, and you have one hour (1:00:00) to complete it
  • The Crop Adjuster license exam — Which consists of fifty (50) questions, and you have one hour (1:00:00) to complete it

An outline of included subjects for these exams can be found here in the Kentucky Department of Insurance Examination Content Outline.

Each attempt at the exam costs $50 and you must create an account on the Kentucky Department of Insurance eServices page before you can register and schedule it.

The Kentucky Department of Insurance does not advise what a passing score is.

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 Kentucky Department of Insurance Testing page or by calling (800) 595-6053.

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

Step 3: Background Check

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

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.

For more information on this topic, call the Kentucky Department of Insurance at (502) 564-6004 or email the License Department.

Note: The fee for having a background check run online is $25.

To initiate the background check, go to the Kentucky Court of Justice AOCFastCheck system, then follow these steps:

  1. Select “Register”
  2. Leave the top radio button selected, and fill out the form to register yourself for the system
  3. You will receive an email with a verification link — open it and click the link
  4. Login to the AOC FastCheck system with the information you just registered
  5. Select “Create New Record Request”
  6. Category “Licensing” — Group “Dept. of Insurance (DOI)” — Reason “Licensing”
  7. Complete form with all of your information, then select “Add To Batch”
  8. On the bottom, left of the page, the “Submit Request” button should now be usable — Select “Submit Request”
  9. Follow any further instructions

Online requests are processed within two business days of being received and the report is valid for 60 days only. This can be an arduous task, so if you have any questions, please contact the Administrative Office of the Courts Customer Service, Pretrial Services, Records Division at (502) 573-1682 or (800) 928-6381.

Step 4: Kentucky Insurance Adjuster License Application

Once you have completed all of these steps, you can apply for your license.

Note: The fee for an online application is $50.

Insurance license applicants initiate this process online with the Kentucky Insurance Adjuster License Application. After you process your application online, you must also submit a complete background check.

To order the report for your background check, go to the Kentucky Court of Justice. There is a $25 fee for this report.

Step 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 five to seven (5-7) business days. Depending on the results of your background check, the Kentucky Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.

You may monitor and track the status of your application on the Kentucky Department of Insurance eServices.

Step 6: Execution of Kentucky Surety Bond

You must obtain and submit a bond in the penal sum of $1,000 executed by a Kentucky admitted surety, and signed by the principal.

The bond is not a step technically a requirement of the Kentucky Insurance Adjuster License, but it is required that you be bonded before you are able to conduct any adjuster business.

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 adjustersstaff 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: 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.

Kentucky Department of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Kentucky Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 517
Frankfort, Kentucky, 40602

Phone: (502) 564-6004

Fax: (502) 654-6030

Email: DOI.AgentLicensingMail@ky.gov

Website: http://insurance.ky.gov

Kentucky Insurance Adjuster License FAQ

How do I get my adjuster license in Kentucky?

You will first need to submit an online application with NIPR, before passing your adjuster licensing exam and submitting a background check to the Kentucky Court of Justice’s website. However, in order to keep your independent adjuster license up to date, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two (2) years. See our Adjuster Continuing Education article for more information on this.

Does Kentucky require an adjuster license?

Indeed, securing a position as an insurance adjuster in Kentucky requires you to possess the relevant license and thus pass the Kentucky insurance adjuster exam. If the notion of the licensing exam appears daunting, or if you’re just looking for some pointers to ace the test, see our article on How to Pass the Insurance Adjuster Exam.

What states are reciprocal with the Kentucky adjuster license?

Right now, Kentucky grants reciprocal licenses in 30 different states. This means that if you hold a resident adjuster license in Kentucky, you’re eligible for a non resident adjuster license in these states too. However, since this list can change, it’s smart to keep checking for updates so you won’t be caught off guard. Read more about this in our article on Adjuster License Reciprocity.

How much is a Kentucky insurance license?

In total, it should run you around $254 to obtain a Kentucky insurance license, excluding the cost of the $1,000 Kentucky-admitted surety bond. The pre-licensing course forms the biggest part of this cost at $179. To read more about why we believe this is the best option, see our AdjusterPro Course Review.

How much is it to renew your adjuster license in Kentucky?

A standard renewal in Kentucky will cost $50, with additional late fees being added on top if you submit your renewal application within 30 days ($50) or after thirty days late ($100). To find out more about the exact renewal process for an active resident adjuster license in Kentucky, read our article on How to Renew Your Kentucky Insurance Adjuster License.

Ready for more?

Start Studying

Learn More