UPDATE: Beginning on January 1, 2024, Alabama will no longer require candidates to take a pre-licensing course before registering for the state exam. The guide below and our courses have been updated to reflect these new regulations.
Alabama residents, follow our step-by-step guide below to get your Alabama insurance claims adjuster license. We’ve also included information on how to renew your Alabama license and what reciprocity looks like for AL adjusters so you’ll have everything you need to obtain and maintain your license.
Not an Alabama resident? Visit the Alabama Department of Insurance website to see details on getting your DHS or nonresident license.
Let’s get started!
#1: Meet the Basic Requirements for the Alabama Adjuster License
Before you start taking steps to get your adjuster license, make sure you meet Alabama’s basic requirements.
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien with a work authorization from the Immigration and Naturalization Services
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a bona fide resident of Alabama
If you meet these basic requirements, it’s time to decide what kind of adjuster you want to be and prepare to ace your state exam.
#2: Choose Which Type of License to Pursue
Alabama offers multiple lines of authority for insurance claims adjusters so you’ll need to choose which license you want before getting started.
- Property & Casualty (P&C), Workers’ Comp, and Crop Adjuster
- Property & Casualty (P&C) Adjuster
- Crop Adjuster
- Workers’ Comp Adjuster
The difference between these licenses lies in which types of insurance you have the authority to handle claims for. The P&C, WC, and Crop adjuster license (often referred to as “All-Lines” in other states) includes property and casualty (P&C) for residential, commercial, automobile, farm & ranch, inland marine, ocean marine, crop, as well as workers’ comp insurance. The other licenses limit you to only handling claims from that specific line of authority.
So which license do you need? Unless you’ve been directed otherwise by your employer, we strongly recommend the P&C, WC, and Crop adjuster license because it certifies you to handle more lines of insurance and represents the most comprehensive license available. Even if you want to eventually focus on only one type of claim, holding the P&C, WC, and Crop license gives you more options and makes you a more attractive hire, both today and in the future.
#3: Prepare for the Alabama State Adjuster Exam
While a pre-licensing course isn’t required by the state, we highly recommend you take the AdjusterPro Alabama Adjuster Exam Prep Course so you’ll be fully prepared to ace the state exam.
Our course has been rigorously prepared and is regularly updated. Our online classroom allows you to print reference materials, take practice tests, and even create your own quizzes to help with subjects you are struggling with. Once you’re consistently making 90% on your practice tests and passing all the quizzes with flying colors…it’s exam time!
How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in 5 Steps
Getting your home state or designated home state license is a great start. See what else it takes to establish a successful career in the insurance claims industry.
#4: Register for and pass the Alabama state adjuster exam
You will register for and take the exam through AdjusterPro. Once you are ready for your exam, visit our Alabama Exams page and choose your exam. Make sure to register for the exam that corresponds to your exam prep course and desired license.
#5: Submit an Application for Your Alabama Adjuster License
Once you’ve passed your exam, you’re ready to apply for your Alabama adjuster license.
Submit your application through NIPR.
Alabama requires applicants to submit a proof of citizenship document and a fingerprint background check with their license application. You can schedule an appointment to get fingerprinted through Fieldprint.
Applicants must submit an application within 30 days after completing their Fingerprinting check. The fingerprint results will remain in the Alabama system only for 30 days after the applicant has completed their fingerprint check. If the application reaches the DOI after those 30 days, the applicant will have to get fingerprinted again and repay the required fee.
You can check to see if your Alabama Adjuster License has been issued at SBS Alabama.
Need help completing your application? Check out our Alabama adjuster application instructional video below. We’ll walk you through the entire process, step by step.
#6: Complete Alabama Continuing Education and License Renewal Requirements
Once you have your license, you’ll need to complete some additional steps every few years to keep it active. Resident Alabama adjusters are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every 2 years to renew their license.
The 24 hours must include 3 hours of Ethics continuing education. You cannot receive credit for any course more than once in a reporting period and any excess CE credits cannot be applied to the next compliance cycle.
Licenses are renewed biennially in accordance with the license holders’ birth month and birth year, odd or even. Renew your license through NIPR.
AdjusterPro offers over 150 hours of state-approved continuing education courses for Alabama adjusters. Courses can be purchased individually or as a discounted bundle that will completely fulfill the 24-hour requirement.
View Continuing Education Courses for Alabama Insurance Adjusters.
Additional Information for Alabama Insurance Adjusters
Now that you know how to become an adjuster, let’s take a detailed look at the fees and costs of getting and maintaining your license.
Alabama Adjuster Licensing Fees
- AdjusterPro Alabama Exam Prep Course
- P&C, WC, & Crop: $179
- P&C: $179
- Crop: $179
- Workers’ Comp: $179
- Exam Fee: $75
- Fingerprinting Fee: $49.20
- License Application Fee: $110
- License Renewal Fee: $80
- NIPR Transaction Fee: $5.00 (for new licenses and renewals through NIPR)
Alabama Adjuster License Reciprocity
Reciprocity means an adjuster holding a home state license can apply for an adjuster license in another state without having to take that state’s exam. If you want to learn more about reciprocity and why it’s vital to your success, visit our Reciprocity: The Truth About Adjuster Licensing Agreements Between States blog article.
Fees for reciprocal licenses vary by state, but on average you can expect to pay between $40 and $60 per application, although a few states charge up to $120. To see what states will offer reciprocal licensing privileges to Alabama adjusters, visit our Alabama Adjuster Reciprocity Map. At the bottom of the page, we also offer a downloadable guide to help you prioritize which reciprocal licenses you should get first.
Alabama grants reciprocal licenses to adjusters who are licensed in their home state, except CA, HI, and NY. Alabama will also accept a Designated Home State (DHS) license for adjusters whose home state does not license adjusters.
Alabama Department of Insurance Contact Information
Website: Alabama Department of Insurance
Mailing Address:
Alabama Department of Insurance
PO Box 303351
Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone: 334-241-4126
Fax: 334-240-3282
Email: ProducerLicensing@insurance.alabama.gov
Obtaining your home state license is the first step to a career as an insurance adjuster. Once you become a licensed insurance claims adjuster in Alabama, you should apply for reciprocal licenses so you can work in more states, making you more attractive to potential employers.
No matter where you’re at in your insurance adjusting career, we can help.
