To secure your Minnesota adjuster license and become a certified insurance claim handler, you must complete the following steps:

• Take the required pre-exam coursework for adjusters
• Obtain a passing score on your chosen adjuster line exam
• Complete a fingerprinting procedure and background check
• Forward your adjuster license application online to the Minnesota Department of Insurance

This article serves as a thorough guide, setting out to help you obtain your Minnesota insurance adjuster license in an efficient manner.

How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in Minnesota

Getting your Minnesota 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 Minnesota, 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.

Step 2: Minnesota Insurance Adjuster License Exam

Once you have completed all of your coursework, you will be able to take (and hopefully pass) the Minnesota 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 Minnesota, there are three primary options available to you when it comes to adjuster lines:

• The Property and Casualty Adjuster license exam — This consists of thirty-five (35) questions, and you have one hour (1:00:00) to complete it
• The Crop Adjuster license exam — This consists of thirty-five (35) questions, and you have one hour (1:00:00) to complete it
• The Workers’ Compensation Adjuster license exam — This consists of thirty-five (35) questions, and you have one hour (1:00:00) to complete it

Each attempt at the exam costs $25 and will be paid when you make your reservation.

To explain the scoring of these exams, we will quote the PSI Minnesota 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 PSI Minnesota Insurance page or by calling PSI at (866) 395-1006.

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

Step 3: Fingerprinting and Background Check

The State of Minnesota 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 Minnesota Department of Commerce at (651) 539-1600 or send them an email.

Your fingerprint impressions will be taken through PSI, so when you are scheduled to take an exam, have your fingerprinting done on the same day.

You must also sign a Resident Insurance Producer Background Check Consent Form. Your fingerprints will be submitted automatically to the Minnesota Insurance Department.

Note: The fee for fingerprinting services is $65.

Step 4: Minnesota Insurance Adjuster License Application

Once you have completed your exams and background check, you are now ready to apply for your license.

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

Apply online with the NIPR – Minnesota Insurance Adjuster License Application or with the Sircon – Minnesota Insurance Adjuster License Application.

Step 5: Application Review

Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your Minnesota 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 claims 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 resident adjuster license in Minnesota, get an appointment from a public adjusting firm, gain work experience, and eventually pass an additional exam.

Minnesota Department of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Consumer & External Affairs Attn: Licensing Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 – 7th Place East, Suite 280
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101

Phone: (651) 539-1600

Email: licensing.commerce@state.mn.us

Website: http://mn.gov/commerce/industries/insurance/