Unraveling The Path To Becoming An Insurance Adjuster In Arizona

To become an insurance adjuster in Arizona, you must be at least 18 years old and obtain an Arizona adjuster license. There are two ways to obtain this license: the Certified Adjuster Designation and the Arizona Exam Prep Course. The former includes membership in the Association of Certified Adjusters and grants an exemption to the state exam, while the latter is an exam prep course that prepares you to pass the state adjuster exam. Both courses are offered online and cover topics such as property and casualty insurance, dwelling and homeowners policies, and commercial package policies. The total cost of obtaining your Arizona adjuster license, including online training, the examination fee, the online application fee, and fingerprinting, is estimated to be around $520.

Be 18 years old

To become an insurance adjuster in Arizona, you must be at least 18 years old. This is a mandatory requirement for obtaining an Arizona adjuster license.

If you are 18 years old, you can choose from two methods to obtain your license. The first option is to complete the Certified Adjuster Designation course, which includes passing an exam that qualifies you to apply for your license. No additional coursework or testing is required for this path. The second option is to take an exam prep study course and then pass the state exam issued by Prometric.

Regardless of the path chosen, being at least 18 years old is a fundamental prerequisite for pursuing a career as an insurance adjuster in Arizona.

Choose a licensing path

There are two methods to obtaining an insurance adjuster license in Arizona.

The first option is to obtain the Certified Adjuster Designation. This involves completing a 40-hour course and passing the included exam, which qualifies you to apply for your license. No additional coursework or testing is required. This course also includes membership in the Association of Certified Adjusters, which must be maintained and renewed every two years through 24 hours of continuing education.

The second option is to take an exam prep study course to prepare for the state exam issued by Prometric. This course is also 40 hours long and will prepare you to pass the Prometric exam, which consists of 150 questions to be completed within 2.5 hours. A score of at least 70% is required to pass. Once you pass the exam, you can apply for your license. Adjusters who obtain their license using this exam prep path will not need to complete continuing education hours to renew their Arizona license.

Pass the exam

Passing the exam is a crucial step in becoming an insurance adjuster in Arizona. Here are some detailed instructions to help you prepare for and pass the exam:

Step 1: Choose Your Licensing Path

There are two methods to obtaining an adjuster license in Arizona. The first option is to obtain the Certified Adjuster Designation by completing the required course and passing the included exam. This option grants you membership in the Association of Certified Adjusters, and you can then apply for your license without needing any additional coursework or testing.

The second option is to take an exam prep study course, such as the one offered by AdjusterPro, to prepare for the state exam administered by Prometric. This course will thoroughly prepare you to pass the challenging state adjuster exam, which is a required step for obtaining your license.

Step 2: Prepare for the Exam

The Arizona insurance adjuster exam is not easy, and it's important to take your preparation seriously. The average pass rate for insurance exams nationwide is around 55% for first-time test-takers, so giving yourself the best chance of passing first time is important.

You can purchase a study guide or enrol in a state-approved online course to help you prepare. These courses typically include video, audio, text, practice exams, and quizzes to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the material.

Kaplan also offers an Essential Package that gives you a flexible study schedule and a range of resources to help you prepare for the exam at your own pace. This package includes a pre-study assessment, InsurancePro™ QBank, video and audio review, and a Mastery Exam to help reinforce your understanding and identify areas that need improvement.

Step 3: Take the Exam

The Arizona insurance adjuster license exam is a proctored test, which means you will be in a controlled environment with an invigilator watching over you. The exam consists of 150 questions, and you will be given two and a half hours to complete it. Each attempt at the exam costs $56, and you must score at least 70% to pass.

The exam covers various topics, including property and casualty insurance basics, dwelling and homeowners policies, commercial package policies, and business owners' policies. You can find an outline of the included subjects for the state exam on the Prometric website.

Step 4: Pass the Exam

After you have completed the exam, your score will be shown on the screen, and you will receive a printed score report. This report will show your overall score, grade, and the numerical percentage of questions answered correctly. It will also display the correct percentage in each major section of the exam to guide you on areas that may require additional preparation if you need to retake the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, Prometric will electronically notify the Department of Insurance of your results within 48 hours. Your exam score will be kept confidential and will only be revealed to you and the Department.

Submit fingerprints and application

To become an insurance adjuster in Arizona, you must submit fingerprints and an application. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

Fingerprinting Instructions:

The State of Arizona requires all insurance license applicants to provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Fingerprinting is done through Fieldprint, and the process initiates a background check. Any prior misdemeanours or felonies will appear on your record and may affect your licensing application.

During your fingerprinting appointment, you will receive a fingerprint envelope. Do not open this envelope. Instead, mail it to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

Application Instructions:

If you have obtained the Certified Adjuster Designation, you must apply for your license via a paper application. At the time of writing, Arizona does not accept online applications for those using the Certified Adjuster Designation.

To apply, complete the NAIC AZ Paper Application and submit it with the required documentation to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions:

• Include your Association Membership Letter.
• In the "Jurisdiction and Type of License" section of the application, check the box marked "Adjuster" under Arizona. You do not need to specify a line of authority for an adjuster license.
• Send your application and membership letter to:

> Arizona Department of Insurance & Financial Institutions

> 100 N. 15th Avenue, Suite 261

> Phoenix, AZ 85007-2630

Alternatively, if you took the Exam Prep & Prometric Exam route, you must submit your application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).

Enter the fingerprint registration number provided by Fieldprint. When entering this number into the application, add "AZDPS" to the beginning and five zeros to the end. For example: if your appointment number is 12345678, enter AZDPS1234567800000.

Additional Information:

The application fee for an Arizona Adjuster License is $120, plus a $22 FBI fingerprint card processing fee.

License applications can take up to one month to process. You must not conduct any insurance business until you have received your license.

Maintain license with CE

To maintain your license as an insurance adjuster in Arizona, you must renew it before it expires. You can renew your license up to 90 days before the expiration date. Renewal applications can be submitted through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) or by downloading, completing, signing, and mailing/delivering Form L-191 with your fee payment. The renewal fee is $120 for each class of license.

If you obtained your license through the Certified Adjuster Designation, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain your membership in the Association of Certified Adjusters. CE courses can be taken through AdjusterPro or another approved provider. After completing your CE requirements, you must submit an Association Renewal application to AdjusterPro to renew your membership. AdjusterPro will then send you a confirmation letter, which you must include with your license renewal application to the state.

If you obtained your license through the Arizona Exam Prep course, you are not required to complete CE hours to renew your license. However, you may need to complete CE hours to maintain any reciprocal licenses you hold.

Frequently asked questions