There are a few important steps to follow if you want to get a Montana adjuster license, including:
- Completing a state-approved pre-exam course
- Passing the Montana Multi-Line Adjuster license exam
- Submitting a licensing application along with a background check to the Montana Insurance Department
This article will walk you through this process step-by-step so that you get your Montana insurance adjuster license quickly and hassle-free.
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How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in Montana
Getting your Montana 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.
Even though this is not a legal prerequisite in Montana, we believe that purchasing a pre-exam course can go a long way in ensuring that you pass your exam 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:
Step 2: Montana Insurance Adjuster License Exam
Once you have completed all of your coursework, you will be able to take (and hopefully pass) the Montana 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.
Only one adjuster line is offered in Montana:
- The Multi-Line Adjuster license exam — This consists of eighty-eight (88) questions, and you have one hour and forty-five minutes (1:45:00) to complete it
An outline of included subjects for these exams can be found here: Pearson VUE Montana Insurance Examination Content Outlines.
Each attempt of the exam costs $59 and will be paid when you make your reservation.
A total score of 75% or more is required to pass this test. To explain the scoring of these exams, we will quote the Pearson VUE Montana 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 Montana Department 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 fail 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 75, any score below 75 indicates how close the candidate came to passing, rather than the actual number or percentage of questions the candidates answered correctly.
Score Reporting
When candidates complete the examination, they will receive a score report marked “pass” or “fail”. Candidates who pass the examination will receive a score report that includes information on how to apply for a license.
Candidates who fail the examination will receive a score report that includes a numeric score and diagnostic information relating to the general portion of the examination, as well as information about reexamination. Reservations for reexamination cannot be made at the test center, and candidates must wait 24 hours before making one.
Candidates who fail Part 1 of a Life, Accident, and Disability, Property and/or Casualty examination receive general diagnostic information relevant to each major area of the examination. Diagnostic information is intended to help failing candidates identify their areas of strength and weakness in order to prepare for future examinations.
Candidates may use the content outlined in this handbook to interpret the diagnostic information on a failing score report.
You can register to take your exams — as well as find out more information — on the Pearson VUE Montana Insurance page or by calling Pearson VUE at (800) 274-8906.
Note: Before registering for your exam, we recommend completing some form of pre-exam education. Even though this is not a legal requirement in Montana, it can go a long way in ensuring that you pass your exam on your first attempt.
Step 3: Fingerprinting and Background Check
The State of Montana 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 Office of the Montana State Auditor at (406) 444-2040 or send them an email.
You will make your fingerprinting reservations through IdentoGO. Appointments can be made on their website or by phone at (866) 761-8069.
Note: The fee for fingerprinting services is $54.
Step 4: Montana Insurance Adjuster License Application
Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license.
Note: The fee for an online application is $50.
Apply online with the Montana Insurance Adjuster License Application.
Step 5: Application Review
Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your Montana license application will be reviewed by the state.
This process generally takes about two to four (2-4) weeks. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request additional 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 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.
Montana Department of Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Office of the Montana State Auditor
840 Helena Avenue
Helena Montana 59601
Phone: (406) 444-2040
Fax: (406) 444-3497
Email: ProducerLicensing@mt.gov
Website: http://www.csimt.gov/insurance
Montana Insurance Adjuster License FAQ
Does Montana require an adjuster license?
Yes, insurance claims adjusters in Montana need to be licensed in order to work legally. The Montana Department of Insurance oversees the issuance of these licenses to ensure adjusters are well-trained, knowledgeable, and adhere to state laws and regulations. To learn more about the salary you can expect after becoming licensed, see our How Much Does an Insurance Adjuster Make article.
How do I become a claims adjuster in Montana?
According to Montana insurance statutes, you must pass a criminal background check and complete the pre-licensing education requirement. After that, you can submit your application to the state licensing agency once you’ve passed the Montana insurance adjuster exam. If you are looking to obtain a business entity license, it’s important to note that the process is quite different. To read about this in more detail, see our article on How to Get an Adjuster Business License.
How do I get a property and casualty license in Montana?
To get a property and casualty license in Montana, you must first complete a state-approved exam prep course before taking and passing the state Property and Casualty exam. To read more about the most effective pre-licensing courses for passing this tricky exam, be sure to see our Best Insurance Adjuster Courses article.
How do I renew my adjuster license in Montana?
You must complete the required continuing education hours before the renewal deadline, which is typically every two years on the last day of your birth month. Unless you’re only licensed to sell limited lines credit insurance or prepaid legal insurance, this must include three hours of ethics. For more information on this, see our article on Adjuster Continuing Education.
What states are reciprocal with the Montana adjuster license?
Montana grants reciprocal licenses to holders of adjuster licenses in 30 other states, including Florida, Idaho, and Texas. This means you are entitled to reciprocal licensing privileges in any of these states without additional examination. For the most up-to-date list of current reciprocity agreements with Montana, make sure to read our article on Adjuster License Reciprocity.