Licensing Information

APPLICABLE FORMS

Application for Individual Adjuster License (Form LIC 041-A)
Application for Adjuster Organization License (Form LIC 042-A)
Bond of Public Insurance Adjuster (Form LIC 94A)
Application for Branch Office Certificate (Form LIC 31A-13)
Public Insurance Adjuster Authorization Application (Form LIC 0100A)

AUTHORIZING ACT: Section 15007 of the California Insurance Code reads, in part:

A Public Insurance Adjuster is a person who, for compensation, acts on behalf of or aids in any manner, an insured in negotiating for or effecting the settlement of a claim or claims for loss or damage under any policy of insurance covering real or personal property or any person who advertises, solicits business, or holds himself or herself out to the public as an adjuster of those claims and any person who, for compensation, investigates, for those losses on behalf of any public insurance adjuster.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Age: 18 years

Residency: California residency is not required, however the applicant must establish a bona fide California business address.

Entity Types: Individual, corporation, partnership, nonprofit corporation, unincorporated association, limited liability company.

Prelicensing Experience/Education: Must have two years certified experience in the 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 Public Insurance Adjuster, form LIC 94A, in the penal sum of $20,000 (effective January 1, 2006) executed in California, by a California admitted surety. 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, with fee.

Public Insurance Adjuster Authorization Application: Form LIC 0100A, must be submitted for each person who is employed by a licensed public adjuster. All persons acting as a public insurance adjuster must be licensed as such.

Contract: Pursuant to Section 15027 of the California Insurance Code, no licensee shall, directly or indirectly, act within this state as a public insurance adjuster without having first entered into a contract, in writing, on a form approved by the insurance commissioner and executed in duplicate by the public adjuster and the insured or a duly authorized representative. One original contract shall be kept on file by the licensee, available at all times for inspection, without notice, by the commissioner or his or her duly authorized representative, and one original contract shall be given to the insured.

All contract forms must be approved by the department's legal division prior to use. The department's legal division is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. A copy of the approved contract must be submitted with the application for license.

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

Certification Of License Status From Home State: Required for all non-resident applicants.

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

Fees (Resident and Non-Resident):

• License filing: $204, The license is issued for a two-year term and expires on May 31 of each even-numbered year.
• Application: $52, This fee includes the first examination.
• Branch Office Certificate: $30, The branch office certificate expires May 31 of each even- numbered year.
• Authorization Application: $52
• Fingerprint Processing: Review Fingerprint processing link for fees.  

EXAMINATION:

Both resident and non-resident applicants must pass the written examination prepared and administered by the Department.

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:

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 Public Insurance Adjuster license, form LIC 448-29C, or the Application to Renew Business Entity Public 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 to the licensee.

An authorization application, form LIC 0100A, with fee must be filed for all persons employed by the applicant to settle claims. An authorization application must also be filed when such person ceases to be employed in that capacity.

A branch office must be a bona fide place of business. A change in the person in charge of the branch office or a change of address for the branch office must be reported to the Department within 30 days of such change.

In the case of an organization, any change in the officers, partners, and 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 one year 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 required.

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 are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon or the examination taken.

LIC 670B (Rev. 09/2008)

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