LICENSE INFORMATION

APPLICABLE FORMS

Application for Individual Adjuster License (Form LIC 041-A)
Application for Adjuster Organization License (Form LIC 042-A)
Application for Branch Office Certificate (Form LIC 31A-13)
Bond of Insurance Adjuster (Form LIC 31A-14)
Personal Identification (Form LIC 31A-9)

AUTHORIZING ACT: Section 14021 of the California Insurance Code reads, in part:

An insurance adjuster is a person other than a private investigator who, for any consideration whatsoever, engages in the business of making an investigation for the purpose of obtaining information in the course of adjusting or participating in the disposal of any claim in connection with a policy of insurance or engages in soliciting insurance adjustment business.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The person in charge of the business (owner, partner, officer, or an employed manager) must meet the following requirements:

Minimum Age: 18 years

Residency: An applicant for an insurance adjuster (AJ) license must establish a California business address. Pursuant to Section 14029(a) of the California Insurance Code, the business of each licensee must be operated under the active direction, control, charge, or management, in this state, of the licensee, if the licensee is qualified, or the person who has qualified to act as the licensee's manager, if the licensee is not qualified. Although the qualified manager is not required to be a resident of California, they must meet the oversight requirements pursuant to section 14029(a) stated above. 

Entity Types: Individual and Business Entity.

Prelicensing Experience/Education: Must have two years certified experience in insurance adjusting field. 2,000 hours of compensated time in the adjusting field is equal to one year of experience.

Continuing Education: Not required

FILING REQUIREMENTS:

Application:

• Individual License - Application for individual Adjuster license, form LIC 041-A
• Organization License - Application for Adjuster Organization License, form LIC 042-A

Bond: A Bond of Insurance Adjuster, form LIC 31A-14, in the penal sum of $2,000 executed by a California admitted surety, and signed by the principal. If the applicant is an organization, the organization must be named as principal.

Branch Office Certificate: If the applicant intends to conduct business from any location in California other than the principal place of business, a Branch Office Certificate must be obtained by submitting an Application for Branch Office Certificate, form LIC 31A-13, and fee.

Fingerprint Impressions: Fingerprint impressions are required for unlicensed applicants. If an examination is required, fingerprint impressions may be taken at the California examination sites.

Additional Documents: The Insurance Commissioner may require such other documents as will aid in determining whether the applicant meets the qualifications for a license.

EXAMINATION:

The person in charge of the business (qualified manager) must pass a written examination administered by the Department.

Fees:

• License filing: $241, The license is issued for a 2-year term and expires on May31, of each even-numbered year.
• Application: $61, This fee includes the first examination.
• Branch Office Certificate: $39, The Branch Office Certificate expires May 31 of each even-numbered year.
• Fingerprints: Review Fingerprint processing link for fees.

  ---

LICENSE TERM:

The term of the license begins the date the license is issued and expires on May 31 of the next even-numbered year.

RENEWAL OF LICENSE:

Renewal notification is mailed to the mailing address of record approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date of the license. Individuals will receive a renewal application showing total fees due for all license types held. If renewal application is not received, complete the Application to Renew Insurance Adjuster license, form LIC 448-29C, or the Application to Renew Business Entity Adjuster license, form LIC 448-29D and mail the completed form to California Department of Insurance, P.O. Box 311, Sacramento, California 95812-0311.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Federal law (Title 18 United States Code Section 1033) prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust from conducting the business of insurance unless they have obtained the written consent of the Insurance Commissioner. It is a violation of this statute to conduct business of insurance without the Commissioners written consent. If you have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust then you must attach a copy of this consent. If you have not obtained this written consent you must do so by filing a 1033 Short Form Application for Written Consent prior to filing your application.

A Pocket Identification Card will be issued for the licensee, each qualified manager, each officer, or partner.

The full name and Social security Number of any employee hired or terminated subsequent to filing of the original application for license, must be submitted to the Department within 30 days of such occurrence.

A change in the qualified manager, branch manager, officer or partner must be reported to the Department within 30 days of such change. A Personal Identification form, LIC 31A-9 for each new Qualified Manager, officer or partner must be filed. The Pocket Identification Card issued for the previously named Qualified Manager must be surrendered.

A branch office must be a bona fide place of business.

In the case of an organization, any change in the officers, partners, those stockholders owning 10% or more of the corporate stock, directors, or controlling persons must immediately be reported to the Department giving full names, residence address and social security number.

An expired license or branch office certificate may be renewed within five years after its expiration upon filing an application for renewal and paying the required renewal fees. If the license or certificate is renewed more than 30 days after its expiration, a delinquency fee is also due.

To obtain insurance licensing forms by mail, send an e-mail request to: Producer Licensing Bureau.

To obtain insurance licensing information, you may phone the Producer Licensing Bureau at (800) 967-9331 or (916) 322-3555.

All fees mailed to the department must be addressed to:
Department of Insurance
P.O. BOX 1139
Sacramento, CA 95812-1139

All filing fees submitted are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon or the examination taken.

LIC 670A (Rev. 9/2008)

Return to Producer Licensing Bureau Forms Main Page