Washington state residents, follow our step-by-step guide below to get your Washington insurance claims adjuster license. We’ve also included information on how to renew your Washington license and what reciprocity looks like for WA adjusters so you’ll have everything you need to obtain and maintain your license.
Not a Washington resident? Visit the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (WOIC) website to see details on getting your nonresident license.
Let’s get started!
#1: Meet the Basic Requirements for the Washington Independent Adjuster License
Before you start taking steps to get your resident adjuster license, make sure you meet Washington’s basic requirements.
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be trustworthy and competent
- You must meet the experience requirement before you can take the state exam. Successful completion of any of the following options will serve in place of the adjuster-trainee program or experience requirements. Each program requires you to complete a series of courses and exams to earn the designation. Once you’ve obtained a designation, you must still take and pass the adjuster exam. Meet the experience requirement through one of the following:
- Currently hold active AIC, AEI, or CPCU designation, OR
- Complete an Adjuster Trainee Program, OR
- Complete 12 consecutive months (part of which is in the current or previous year) working as a full-time, salaried insurance company or managing general agent (MGA) adjuster, verified by the insurance company or MGA in writing on business letterhead.
Please review Washington’s training and experience requirements before moving forward.
It’s important to note that before you can take the Washington state adjuster exam, you must meet one of the experience requirement options. Regardless of which option you choose, you will need to take and pass the state exam before you can apply for your license.
If you meet these basic requirements, it’s time to strategize how to ace the Washington Independent Adjuster state exam.
#2: Prepare for the Washington Adjuster License State Exam
While a pre-licensing course isn’t required by the state, we highly recommend you take the AdjusterPro Washington 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!
#3: Register for and Pass the Washington Adjuster License State Exam
Register for and take your state exam through PSI. Detailed exam instructions, including online proctoring information, is available on the PSI Washington Candidate Bulletin.
The exam is comprised of 100 questions and you must score at least 70% to pass. Candidates who score below 70% will need to retake the exam and pay the exam fees again. You will be given 135 minutes to complete the exam.
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: Process and Submit Fingerprints for a Background Check
Washington state requires resident applicants to submit their fingerprints electronically for a background check. E-fingerprint services are offered at most PSI exam centers and all IDEMIA IdentoGO centers.
This service can be scheduled to coincide with the date and location of your insurance exam, or you may visit an IdentoGO center at your convenience. There are more than 30 locations in Washington state, so there’s probably a location close to you. For more information, or to schedule fingerprint reservations at any of the available Washington state centers, please contact IdentoGO at 888-771-5097 or IdentoGO online.
Once your fingerprinting is complete, IdentoGO will submit them for processing. WOIC generally receives background-check results within seven to ten days of the appointment and issues a license within five days of receiving all necessary application items.
Applicants concerned with their criminal background history can visit Washington Criminal Offenses page for more information.
#5: Submit an Application for Your Washington Independent Adjuster License
Once you pass the exam, submit an application for your adjuster license through the WOIC Online Services webpage. You can also check to see if your license has been issued through the same portal.
#6: Complete Continuing Education and License Renewal Requirements
Once you have your license, you’ll need to formally renew it to keep it active. Washington adjusters can renew their license through WOIC Online Services.
Renewal applications are available no sooner than 90 days prior to your license expiration date and no later than 60 calendar days following your expiration date. Email reminders will be sent to the registered email address on record 90, 60, and 30 days prior to your license expiration date.
Starting July 1, 2022, Washington will begin requiring insurance adjusters complete CE hours as part of their license renewal process. Adjusters whose license renewal is after July 31, 2022, will be required to meet this new requirement, as well as all resident and DHS adjusters who are licensed after July 2022.
Washington adjusters and DHS license holders will be required to complete 24 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics training. This must be completed during each license renewal period of two years.
AdjusterPro offers over 120 hours of state-approved continuing education courses for Washington adjusters, including the required Legislative Updates and ethics courses. Courses can be purchased individually or as a discounted bundle.
View Continuing Education Courses for Washington Insurance Adjusters.
Additional Information for Washington 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.
Washington Adjuster Licensing Fees
- AdjusterPro Washington Exam Prep Course: $179
- State Exam Fee: $35
- Fingerprinting Fee: $49.25
- Licensing Fee: $55
- License Renewal Fee: $50
Washington 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 Washington adjusters, visit our Washington 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.
Washington grants reciprocal licenses to adjusters who hold a home state or Designated Home State (DHS) license, as long as that state requires an examination and grants reciprocal licenses to Washington adjusters. Reciprocal licenses are not available for CA, HI, and NY.
To obtain a reciprocal license from Washington, out-of-state adjusters will need to apply on the state website. Processing takes 2-3 weeks.
Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner Contact Information
Website: Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Mailing Address:
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Licensing Division
PO Box 40257
Olympia, WA 98504-0255
Phone: 360-725-7144
Fax: (360) 586-2019
Email: Online Submission Form
Obtaining your home state license is the first step to a career as an insurance adjuster. Once you have your Washington resident adjuster license, 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.
