Obtaining your Utah adjuster license can be done easily by following four straightforward steps:

• Complete a pre-exam course on insurance adjustment
• Achieve a passing grade in your preferred Utah Prometric Adjuster exam
• Complete a fingerprint and background check
• Submit your licensing application to the Utah Insurance Department

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

How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in Utah

Getting your Utah 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 Utah, 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. Utah Insurance Adjuster License Exam

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

Utah offers four primary lines for you to choose between for your adjuster license exam:

• The Property and Casualty Adjuster license exam — This consists of 100 questions, and you have two hours and 30 minutes (2:30:00) to complete it.
• The Accident/Health Adjuster license exam — This consists of 100 questions, and you have two hours (2:00:00) to complete it.
• The Crop Adjuster license exam — This consists of 50 questions, and you have one hour (1:00:00) to complete it.
• The Workers’ Compensation Adjuster license exam — This consists of 50 questions, and you have one hour (1:00:00) to complete it.

Each attempt of the exam costs $32 and will be paid when you make your reservation.

A total score of 70% or more is required to pass this test. To explain the rationale behind the scoring of these exams, the Prometric Utah Insurance Department Licensing Information Bulletin notes:

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 Prometric Utah Insurance page or by calling Prometric at 888-226-8740.

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

Step 3. Utah Insurance Adjuster License Application

Once you have completed all your coursework and passed the examination, you are now ready to apply for your license.

Note: The fee for an online application is $75.

You can apply online through the NIPR – Utah Insurance Adjuster License Application page or with the Sircon – Utah Producer Portal.

Step 4. Fingerprinting and Background Check

The State of Utah 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 Utah Insurance Department at (801) 538-3855 or send them an email.

You will process your fingerprints through Prometric.

You may not do your fingerprints before applying, so plan to take care of all of these procedures at the Prometric Exams location.

Note: The fee for fingerprinting services is $34.25.

Step 5. Application Review

Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your Utah resident license application will be reviewed by the state.

This process generally takes about 5–10 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. You may also check the status of your application by using the Utah Insurance Department Insurance License Search tool.

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 (5) 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

Utah Department of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address:

State Office Building Suite 3110
Capitol Hill Complex
450 North State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114

Phone: (801) 538-3855

Fax: (801) 538-3830

Email: licensing.uid@utah.gov

Website: http://www.insurance.utah.gov