Workers Comp Adjuster Licenses – Reciprocity Adds Authority
A recent question on Workers Comp adjuster licenses was emailed to me two weeks ago –
I have just passed my licensing exam in Georgia to handle Workers Compensation claims. Do I have to take a test for each state to adjust claims outside of my home state?
Most states allow out-of-state adjusters to adjust claims – but it is not automatic. Do not adjust claims in states where you do not have the authority to do so or you may end up in quite a bind. You do not want your name listed in one of the Department of Insurance publications where you have had your license revoked in your home state – not good.
At the end of this article are two websites to use to see which states reciprocate with each other.
The following states have reciprocity with Georgia:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Idaho
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Some Licensing Rules and Suggestions With Reciprocity
Some of the concerns with workers comp adjuster licenses (P&C Licenses) are:
- Must have a valid up-to-date adjusters license in your home state
- If your home state does not have a licensing requirement, there is no license authority to reciprocate, very complicated situation, check with your home state’s Department of Insurance to see how to proceed
- Pay a yearly fee to the out-of-state Department of Insurance (DOI)
- Adjust the same lines of insurance as permitted with your home state license, an all-lines license is always preferable
- Not all states such as California allow reciprocal licensing – check carefully before adjusting any claims
- Many states will allow licensed claims adjusters from other states to adjust with no license if the state’s DOI waives the licensing requirement during a catastrophe. One caveat – you cannot adjust lines of insurance that are different than your home state license.
Websites To Assist With Out-of-State Workers Comp Adjuster Licenses
I have used Sircon here with success. Most reciprocating states allow online applications that speed up the licensing process to a few days. Another recommended website just to see their map of reciprocity can be found here. Check out how you can reciprocate your license if you have a Texas or Florida workers comp adjuster license by obtaining a DHS license from those states.
Regardless, it is always best to have an all-lines license – add value to your career like obtaining your AIC or ARM designations.
