As previously mentioned, if you live in a state that requires that adjusters be duly licensed, you will need to get licensed in YOUR HOME STATE before worrying about licensure in any other state.

 

Now, if you do live in one of the 16 states that does NOT require licensure of insurance claims adjusters, but you want the opportunity to adjust claims in states that DO require the license, you will want to get a “Designated Home State” License (also referred to as a “DHS” License). With a DHS you can qualify for and maintain an adjuster’s license in a state other than your home state. The state in which you obtain your DHS would then become your “home state” when it comes to getting licensed in other states that share reciprocity. This would also be the state in which you would maintain your continuing education requirements. There is no “duplication of effort” for required continuing education in states where you hold a reciprocal license.

Florida and Texas are the two most commonly recommended states to obtain a DHS license.

We recommend obtaining the Florida 70-20 Nonresident DHS license for these three reasons:

1. Reciprocity with all but three states. It is important to have a strategy when choosing your DHS. The ultimate goal would be to minimize the number of exams you need to take. The more exams you take the more continuing education requirements you will be required to keep up with. So, choosing a DHS with reciprocity in the most states, or the states you want to work in makes sense. Florida is reciprocal with all states except New York, California and Hawaii.
2. Simple exam process. While the courses have been developed very similarly, there is a significant difference in the final exam. The Texas exam is 150 questions while the Florida exam is 100 questions. In addition, the Texas DOI requires that the final exam be monitored and the student and monitor are both required to sign an affidavit in the presence of a notary. That may not seem like a huge deal but definitely some big extra steps. Extra steps that caused quite a headache during recent lockdowns. The Florida exam simply requires that the student electronically sign an attestation (similar to an oath) that they abided by the rules of the exam. This is done within the eLearning system immediately after passing the exam so there really aren’t any extra steps.
3. A streamlined and automated licensing process. Florida has the quickest application turnaround time in the country. The Florida Department of Financial Services has really streamlined and automated their licensing process. It’s much easier and faster because the entire application is done online and it moves through the system very quickly. A Florida applicant will have to get their fingerprints done but we have found that if a student begins the licensing process at the same time that they begin their licensing course and go get their fingerprints, usually by the time they finish the course the state has already processed the application and received the fingerprints and are just awaiting the documentation that they passed the course. The student can upload their Certificate of Designation to the state or have us report the completion electronically. When the state already has the completed application and fingerprints, we’ve seen licenses be issued in as little as 24 hours after we electronically report the course completion. It’s extremely quick, easy and efficient. Texas still functions in a paper world and requires a very lengthy paper application. In addition, they will need to already have their completion certificate in hand before sending in the application. It can take up to 30 days to have the license issued.

If you are looking to get a DHS license quickly and simply, choose Florida.

To get started on your way to a Florida DHS license, start here at our Florida Certified Claims Adjuster Licensing Course. This course is the most comprehensive course available and allows you to waive the state exam!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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