Independent Adjuster Adjuster Types Independent Adjuster Independent Adjuster An independent adjuster represents the interests of the insurer. You need an independent adjuster license to adjust claims on behalf of an insurer that is not your employer. See: AS 21.27.830. Experience Requirement If you have been an Alaska-licensed independent adjuster in good standing within the previous four calendar years, you meet the experience requirement. Adjuster Licensing Exemptions An independent adjuster license is not required if: You are a staff adjuster and adjust claims on behalf of your employer, an admitted insurer. You are contracted to pursue an insurer’s subrogation rights following its payment of an insured claim and are not involved in investigating and adjusting the loss. See: Bulletin B93-08. You are an Alaska-licensed producer or managing general agent who holds an appointment with an admitted insurer and adjusts claims for them. You are an Alaska-licensed surplus lines broker who adjusts claims for a non-admitted insurer. You are an Alaska-licensed reinsurance intermediary broker or reinsurance intermediary manager adjusting claims under contract for an insurer or reinsurer. Workers’ Compensation Claims You may adjust workers’ compensation claims under the casualty authority of an independent adjuster license – no additional license is required. The Alaska Division of Workers’ Compensation administers and enforces the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Act (Act). AS 23.30.030(4) requires an insurer to provide staffed adjusting facilities in Alaska or to retain an independent licensed Alaska resident adjuster with power to effect settlement and make payments within Alaska. The Act may have additional requirements for adjusting workers’ compensation claims. For questions regarding Alaska Workers’ Compensation Act requirements, contact the Alaska Division of Workers’ Compensation at (907) 465-2790. Designated Home State Adjuster The Division has authority to reciprocate an independent adjuster license for a licensee from a state that does not issue Independent Adjuster licenses under AS 21.27.270(i). (i) If a nonresident independent adjuster applicant's home state does not license independent adjusters, the independent adjuster applicant may designate the applicant's home state as any state in which the applicant is licensed in good standing. Our office will accept DHS licenses for applicants that reside in one of the following states: Colorado District of Columbia Illinois Tennesee Kansas Massachusetts Maryland Virginia Missouri North Dakota Nebraska Wisconsin New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania South Dakota The Division requires DHS licensees to complete, at least, our resident licensing requirements. DHS licenses are only accepted when issued by states that have substantially similar adjuster licensing requirements. States with substantially similar licensing standards require a background check, a state exam, and continuing education. Currently, the Division recognizes the following states as having substantially similar licensing requirements for adjuster licensing: Alabama Delaware Florida Georgia Idaho Iowa Louisana Minnesota Nevada New Mexico Texas Utah Washington West Virginia Wyoming To designate Alaska as your home state, you must qualify for licensure under AS 21.27.275 and complete all resident requirements. See "Resident Requirements" for additional information. If you have a DHS license issued by a state that is NOT included on the list above, and would like our office to reconsider their licensing standards, please reach out to: insurancelicensing@alaska.gov Trainee Independent Adjuster Trainee Adjuster Application Experience Requirement If you have been an Alaska-licensed independent adjuster in good standing within the previous four calendar years, you meet the experience requirement. Resident Experience Requirement If you don’t meet the above requirement, you need to have at least six months’ active working experience within the previous two calendar years as one of the following: independent adjuster trainee insurance producer managing general agent reinsurance intermediary broker reinsurance intermediary manager surplus lines broker independent adjuster underwriter or claims adjuster employee of an insurer See: AS 21.27.830 Staff Adjuster The Division does not offer a Staff Adjuster license. Adjusters that work for insurance carriers and adjust claims on behalf of their employer, an admitted insurer, are not required to hold an Independent Adjuster license. Public Adjuster Alaska does not issue a public adjuster (an adjuster who handles claims on behalf of an insured) insurance license. Unlicensed Exempt Independent Adjuster Unlicensed Single Loss or Catastrophe Form Important Links: Continuing Education Fees Schedule Forms Frequently Asked Questions Does Alaska have any special provisions (exemptions) that apply to adjusters who may adjust catastrophic losses? Yes. A non-resident independent adjuster, who is not licensed in Alaska but who is licensed and in good standing in his or her home state may act as an adjuster and adjust losses arising out of a catastrophe which must be declared by the director. An unlicensed adjuster is required to comply with the Unfair Claims Trades Practices Regulations. Where can I apply for an emergency adjuster license type? Applications can be submitted online at NIPR.com. If you are applying for the emergency adjuster license you must choose “Exempt Independent Adjuster” as the license class. Is there a grace period for adjusting claims in a catastrophe situation? Yes. AS 21.27.860 (a) allows for a 10 day “grace period”. An applicant has 10 days from the start of an investigation or adjustment in which to apply for the emergency license. How long is an exempt (emergency) adjuster license active? An exempt (emergency) adjuster license is effective for 90 days. Can I apply for an exempt (emergency) independent adjuster license if I hold a Designated Home State Independent Adjuster License? No. You must be licensed and in good standing as an Independent Adjuster in your home state to apply for a license in Alaska. Do I need a license to act as a public adjuster? At present, Alaska's insurance code does not require licensing of 'public adjusters' or adjusters who handle claims on behalf of an insured, not the insurance company. The Alaska Division of Insurance does not have jurisdiction to either authorize or prohibit such activities in this state except to the extent such activities involve unfair or deceptive trade practices under AS 21.36.125, Unfair Claim Settlement Practices. While public adjusters are not required to be licensed under the insurance code, licensing may be required under other provisions of Alaska law. Public adjusting may constitute the practice of law, and thus, may require a license to practice law depending on the nature and scope of the activities performed in the state. See Christiansen vs. Melinda, 857, P .2d 345 (Alaska 1993) addressing the definition of 'practice of law for civil and criminal purposes. Must an employee of an admitted insurer who adjusts claims be licensed? If you are a staff (company) adjuster and adjust claims on behalf of your employer, an admitted insurer, you do not need to obtain an independent adjuster license. If I adjust property or casualty claims on behalf of an insurance company and am not employed by an admitted insurer, do I need to be licensed? Yes, you need to obtain an independent adjuster license (AS 21.27.830). May an Alaska licensed insurance producer or managing general agent adjust claims without applying for an adjuster license if authorized by the admitted insurer? Yes, the producer or managing general agent may act as an adjuster and investigate, adjust and report upon claims on behalf of and as authorized by an admitted insurer that has appointed the insurance producer or managing general agent. May an Alaska licensed surplus lines broker adjust claims without applying for an adjuster license? Yes, the surplus lines broker may act as an adjuster and investigate, adjust and report upon claims on behalf of and as authorized by a non-admitted insurer. May an Alaska licensed reinsurance intermediary broker or reinsurance intermediary manager adjust claims without applying for an adjuster license? Yes, the reinsurance intermediary broker or reinsurance intermediary manager may act as an adjuster and investigate, adjust and report upon claims on behalf of and as authorized by an insurer or reinsurer under contract. Online Services: NIPR Licensing Center Login Get licensed and manage your license through the National Insurance Producer Registry’s Licensing Center. Licensee Login Log in to your adjuster profile to make changes to your license or to reinstate it. Initial License Steps to Obtain an Initial AK License: Resident Take and pass the Independent Adjuster exam. Apply online with NIPR. Submit a fingerprint card to the Juneau office. Nonresident Obtain a resident license in your resident state. Apply online with NIPR. Designated Home State (DHS) - AK Take and pass the Independent Adjuster exam. Apply online with NIPR. Submit a fingerprint card to the Juneau office. Designated Home State (DHS) - Other Obtain a DHS license in your chosen designated home state. Apply online with NIPR. Reinstated License Steps to Reinstate an AK License: Resident Reinstatement Apply online with NIPR and pay applicable fees. 1-60: $100 Over 60: $200 Submit a BTF to: insurancelicensing@alaska.gov If the license is expired for more than 1 year, the licensee must submit a new fingerprint card. If the license is expired for more than 1 year, the licensee must retake the examination under 3 AAC 23.070 Nonresident Reinstatement Apply online with NIPR and pay applicable fees. 1-60: $100 Over 60: $200 Submit a BTF to: insurancelicensing@alaska.gov Designated Home State (DHS) — AK Apply online with NIPR and pay applicable fees. 1-60: $100 Over 60: $200 Submit a BTF to: insurancelicensing@alaska.gov If the license is expired for more than 1 year, the licensee must submit a new fingerprint card. If the license is expired for more than 1 year, the licensee must retake the examination under 3 AAC 23.070 Designated Home State (DHS) — Other Apply online with NIPR and pay applicable fees. 1-60: $100 Over 60: $200 Submit a BTF to: insurancelicensing@alaska.gov Examinations: Exam Requirements Schedule your exam(s) through our test administrator, PearsonVue. See 2024 Exam Summaries State Reciprocity Waiver The exam requirement is waived when you apply for an Alaska resident license within 90 days of canceling a resident license in another state with the same class and lines of authority. You will need to take the appropriate exams to add additional classes or lines of authority. Fingerprinting: Submit Fingerprints Resident applicants and those that elect Alaska as a home state are required to submit fingerprints for a background check. You need to submit fingerprints when you are: Seeking initial licensure Changing a license from nonresident to resident status Reinstating a license cancelled or expired more than 12 months Get Fingerprints Find an approved finger-printer near you to make an FBI FD 258 fingerprint card. Submit Fingerprints and Fee Submit one fingerprint card, a completed Privacy & Consent form, and a payment of $47 for background check payable to the State of Alaska, to our mailing address at bottom of this page. Credit card invoices are available upon request at: insurancelicensing@alaska.gov Relevant Bulletins Definitions