Independent Adjuster 

License Required 

A person must hold an Independent Adjuster license if the individual:

Contracts for compensation with the insurer or self-insurer as an independent contractor or employee of an independent contractor;

Is treated for tax purposes by the insurer or self-insurer as an independent contractor (rather than an employee); and

Investigates, negotiates or settles property casualty or surety claims or workers’ compensation claims, for the insurer or self-insurer.

A licensee may hold only one type of adjuster license in Nevada.

This license type is available for individuals and business entities/firms.

A nonresident whose home state does not issue the license type or line of authority sought may designate another state as his or her home state (“Designated Home State” or DHS) and comply with that state’s requirements.  If the individual designates Nevada, the individual must comply with the same requirements as a Nevada resident, as described on this page. Nevada is reciprocal with, and accepts a DHS license from, any state that requires an examination for the adjuster/DHS adjuster license.

Exceptions

A licensed Producer may act as an adjuster without obtaining an adjuster license only if:

Authorized by the insurer;

There is no contract providing for compensation retrospectively contingent upon losses incurred under insurance sold or serviced by the producer;

No license is required of a nonresident, salaried adjuster for adjusting claims arising from a designated catastrophe.  Please see the Catastrophic Adjuster page for more details.

License Type and Available Lines of Authority

The license type is:     Independent Adjuster

The lines of authority are:

Adjuster Property and Casualty

Workers Compensation

License Term and Renewal Period

An Independent Adjuster license is issued for a three (3) year term.

The license is renewable at the end of the month on the third anniversary of the issuance of the license.

To qualify for an Independent Adjuster license:

If a resident of Nevada and a natural person, an individual must:

Be 18 years of age or older.

Be eligible to declare Nevada as his or her home state.

Be an independent contractor.

Be competent, trustworthy, financially responsible and of good reputation.

Never have been convicted of:

Forgery,

Embezzlement,

Obtaining money under false pretenses,

Larceny,

Extortion or

Conspiracy to commit fraud.

Not have committed any act that would be a cause for denial of a license under Nevada law.

Pass an examination for the license and lines of authority requested.  Register for an exam through Pearson VUE.

Have taken and submitted a set of fingerprints for a criminal history background check.  Note that the criminal history report is valid for only six (6) months.  Digital Finger printing is available through an approved vendor.

Not be licensed in Nevada as a Producer with the lines of authority of property, casualty, or surety.

Not be licensed in Nevada as a Surplus Lines Broker.

If not a Nevada resident:

Be licensed and in good standing in his or her home state as an Independent Adjuster (as defined above) and hold a workers’ compensation line of authority; or

Be eligible to declare Nevada as his or her home state and comply with all requirements as though the individual were a resident.

Fees

All fees paid to the Nevada Division of Insurance are nonrefundable.

Initial Application total:  $185

This fee consists of the $60 Administration and Enforcement fee and the $125 licensing fee.

Triennial Renewal total:  $185

This fee consists of the $60 Administration and Enforcement fee and the $125 licensing fee.

Association of DRL:  $50

License Modification:  $50

Late Renewal Penalty:  $62.50

Payments may be made by check, money order, or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).  Please make checks and money orders payable to the Nevada Division of Insurance.  Please contact the Accounting Section at ifn@doi.nv.gov to request the required EFT form.

How to Apply for a License

An applicant for a license as an Independent Adjuster must:

Electronically apply through Sircon or NIPR;

Remit all applicable fees; and

Upload with the application all supporting documentation.  An applicant must upload documents for any application background question for which the answer is “Yes.”

Resident individuals must:

Be fingerprinted for a criminal history background report.  Digital fingerprinting is available through an approved vendor;  

After applying for a license, upload to the application the Fingerprint Background Waiver. The Fingerprint Background Waiver gives the Division legal authority to review your background report. Without the background waiver, your application cannot be fully reviewed or approved. To complete the background waiver, enter “Nevada Division of Insurance” in paragraphs 1 and 9, initial and date the bottom of page 1, and enter your name, date and signature on the bottom of page 2. Leave all of the agency information blank. Here is a sample background waiver; 

After applying for a license, upload to the application the fingerprint confirmation receipt showing the Transaction Control Number (TCN); and

Have passed the required examination prior to application.  Schedule an exam through Pearson VUE.

Note:  Certification of completion of the exam is provided to the Division by the approved providers.  Keep a copy of your certificate for your records and for additional proof of completion, if requested.

Business Entities must:

Designate an individual licensee responsible for the entity’s compliance with Nevada law.  This individual is referred to as the “Designated Responsible Licensee” or DRL;

Submit an additional $50 for each association of the DRL;

Never have committed any act that would be grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation;

Limit the scope of business to the stated purposes within the partnership agreement or charter, as applicable; and

Notify the Division in writing of all changes of members, directors, officers, or DRLs.

The Division encourages business entities to check with the Nevada Secretary of State for other requirements before conducting business in this state.

How to Add a Line of Authority to an Existing License

A licensed Independent adjuster may add a line of authority to his or her license by completing the following items:

Electronically apply through Sircon or NIPR;

Submit the fee for modification of the license in the amount of $50; and

Upload with your application supporting documentation.  You must upload documents for any application background question for which you answer “Yes.” 

Residents must:

Have passed the required examination prior to application.  Schedule an exam through Pearson VUE.

Note: Certification of completion of the exam is provided to the Division by the approved providers.  Keep a copy of your certificate for your records and for additional proof of completion, if requested.

How to Print your License

Please visit Sircon’s Print a License page to learn more. If you have a Sircon Premium account, you may print your license at no cost at any time. If you submitted your license application or renewal through a Sircon Standard account, you may print your license at no cost for the first 30 days after the license application or renewal has been processed. If you submitted your license application or renewal outside of Sircon, there may be a processing fee to print your license.

Continuing Education

During the license term, each adjuster must complete 24 hours of education.  Three (3) of the 24 hours must be in ethics.

Courses should be in an area that relates to the adjuster’s license.

An adjuster may search for course offerings through Sircon.

Be aware that credit will not be given for a course repeated during the license term.

Continuing Education hours must be completed during the license term, and credit hours do not carry forward to future licensing periods.

Education providers will electronically report the completion of continuing education.  Please retain your certificates for your records.

You may review your transcripts and search for available courses through Sircon.

How to Renew the License

Electronically submit the renewal application and fees through Sircon or NIPR.

Pay the total renewal fee.

Residents must verify that the education providers have reported 24 hours of continuing education.  The licensee may review his or her transcripts through Sircon.

A nonresident individual must complete and report continuing education in his or her home state and is not required to report continuing education to the Division.

Failure to Timely Renew

There is no grace period to pay the renewal fee or to complete continuing education.

If the renewal requirements are not met:

The license will expire at midnight on the last day of the month in which it is renewable. 

Acting without a license is a violation of Nevada law and may subject the licensee to a monetary penalty and/or criminal charges.

License Reinstatement

An individual who fails to timely renew may submit a renewal application up to 30 days past the license expiration.

The individual must submit:

The monetary late penalty, in addition to the license renewal fee.

Proof of having completed required continuing education.

After 30 days from the expiration date noted on the license, the licensee will be required to reapply and must complete all requirements for issuance of a new license.

An individual who was previously licensed for the same license type within the immediately preceding 24 months is exempt from taking the exam when reapplying for a license.

Temporary Licensing

A Temporary Independent Adjuster license may be issued in the event of death or disability of the DRL.  The temporary license may only be issued to an individual who complies with all other requirements for licensure.

The temporary license is only valid for six (6) months or until the licensee qualifies for a regular Independent Adjuster license.

Record Retention

Each licensed adjuster must:

Keep a record of transactions under the license, including:

A copy of all investigations or adjustments.

A copy of each contract between the adjuster and an insurer.

A statement of any fee, commission or other compensation for each investigation or adjustment.

Maintain records of investigations and adjustments for three (3) years from the date the claim is closed, or longer, if required by the contract with the insurer.

Reporting of Actions

Each licensed adjuster must report to the Commissioner any:

Administrative action taken by another jurisdiction or another governmental agency.

Report must be submitted within 30 days after the final disposition of the matter.

Report must include a copy of the complaint, the order issued and any other relevant legal documents.

Criminal prosecution in any jurisdiction.

Report must be submitted within 30 days after the initial pretrial hearing.

Report must include a copy of the complaint filed, the order as a result of the pretrial hearing, and other relevant legal documents.

Reports must be submitted through the NIPR Attachment Warehouse.  Follow the instructions on the NIPR web pages regarding reporting of actions.

Prohibition on Interest in Auto Body Repair Business

A person who is in the business of repairing auto bodies may not be licensed as an adjuster or hold a controlling interest in a business entity that adjusts claims.

Adjuster Code of Ethics

Each adjuster must follow the Adjuster Code of Ethics.

An adjuster shall be honest and fair in all communications with the insured, the insurer and the public.

An adjuster shall give policyholders and claimants prompt, knowledgeable service and courteous, fair and objective treatment at all times.

An adjuster shall not give legal advice and shall not deal directly with any policyholder or claimant who is represented by legal counsel without the consent of the legal counsel involved.

An adjuster shall comply with all local, state and federal privacy and information security laws, when applicable.

An adjuster shall identify himself or herself as an adjuster and, if applicable, identify his or her employer when dealing with a policyholder or claimant.

An adjuster shall not have any financial interest in any adjustment or acquire for himself or herself or any person any interest or title in salvage without first receive in written authority from the principal.

Legal Authority

Independent Adjusters are regulated under the provisions of chapter 684A of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and chapter 684A of the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC).