If you’re researching how to become an insurance claims adjuster, one of the first questions you’ll run into is: “Which adjuster license should I get first?”
This is one of the most important decisions new adjusters make, because starting with the wrong license can result in a denial, or cost you extra exams, additional fees, and weeks of unnecessary delays.
At AdjusterPro, we have helped over 100,000 people get licensed over the past two decades. We get questions about licensing every day. Many people ask questions like:
- What adjuster license should I get first?
- What is the best adjuster license for beginners?
- Should I just get a Texas adjuster license to start? (NO!)
- What is a designated home state adjuster license?
The good news is the answer is actually pretty straightforward once you understand how adjuster licensing works.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- Which adjuster license to start with (It’s always your home state license, and we will explain why)
- What to do if your state doesn’t license adjusters
- The best adjuster licenses for catastrophe work
By the end, you’ll know exactly where to start.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: Which Adjuster License Should You Get First?
- What Is a Home State Adjuster License?
- Why Starting With Your Home State License Matters
- What Happens If You Get the Wrong Adjuster License First?
- What If My State Doesn’t License Insurance Adjusters?
- Best Designated Home State (DHS) Adjuster Licenses
- How Many Licenses Do Adjusters Need?
- FAQ: Insurance Adjuster Licensing Questions
- Next Steps: Planning Your Adjuster Licensing Strategy
Quick Answer: Which Adjuster License Should You Get First?
Get your Home State Adjuster License first.
If your state does not offer an adjuster license, then you should obtain a Designated Home State (DHS) license, usually from:
- Texas
- Florida
Why? These licenses allow you to obtain additional licenses through reciprocity, which saves time and money.
| Adjuster license reciprocity refers to a mutual agreement between states that says an adjuster holding a license in his or her home state can successfully apply for a license in another state without having to take that state’s exam or pre-licensing course. This is important to adjusters because meeting other states’ educational and testing requirements involves a significant investment of time and money. Reciprocity bypasses those requirements. But to obtain a reciprocal license, the adjuster still needs to apply for the other state’s license and pay any required fees. Read more about reciprocity in “Reciprocity: The Truth about Adjuster Licensing Agreements Between States” |
What Is a Home State Adjuster License?
A home state adjuster license is the adjuster license issued by the state where you legally reside.
Examples:
| Where You Live | Your Home License |
| Texas | Texas Adjuster License |
| Florida | Florida 6-20 Adjuster License |
| California | California Adjuster License |
This license becomes the foundation for all other licenses you obtain. Many states allow adjusters to apply for non-resident licenses without taking another exam once they have a home license.
(As we discussed above, this process is called reciprocity.)
Why Starting With Your Home State License Matters
One of the most common mistakes new adjusters make is starting with random or popular licenses they see recommended online.
For example, someone might search:
- What’s the best adjuster license to have?
- Should I get a Texas adjuster license first?
- What states should adjusters be licensed in?
But without understanding reciprocity, you may accidentally make the process much harder on yourself, wasting time and money on the wrong license.
Starting with your home state license allows you to:
- Avoid taking multiple exams
- Apply for licenses in other states faster
- Reduce licensing costs
- Build a licensing portfolio strategically
In short: Your home license unlocks other licenses.
For aspiring insurance adjusters wondering which license to pursue first, the definitive answer is to obtain your home state license, or a Designated Home State (DHS) license if your resident state does not issue them. In the past, industry veterans often advised new adjusters to get a non-resident license in a state like Texas, which was widely accepted and known for its broad reciprocity. However, this advice is now outdated because many of the loopholes allowing this practice have been closed as the industry moved toward more uniform standards.
Today, nationwide reciprocity is strictly based on whether you hold your home state’s license. This means most states won’t grant you a reciprocal license unless you hold a license from your home state or a DHS license first. Applying for reciprocal licenses without a home state or DHS license will result in application denials and lost fees.
While there are a few exceptions (such as Florida’s specific agreements, or states like California, Hawaii, and New York that do not offer reciprocity at all), securing your home state license first is the easiest and most reliable foundation for legally working claims in multiple states.
| For more information about this change, check out:→ Why Adjusters Should Get Their Home State License First ← |
What Happens If You Get the Wrong Adjuster License First?
Starting with the wrong license can cause several problems, including a straight-up denial. If you live in a state that licenses adjusters, the industry wants you to hold that license. For example, if you live in Oklahoma, which licenses adjusters, but opt to start with Texas because it’s larger and has more claims, Texas is going to see your residency and likely deny you a license. In addition to potential denials and lost fees:
You lose reciprocity advantages
Many states will deny you a reciprocal license if you don’t have your home state license.
You may need multiple exams
If you can’t qualify for reciprocal licenses, you will need to take each of the state exams to qualify for a license there.
You may have to redo the process
In some cases, you can get licensed without first obtaining a license in your home state. However, many employers typically require a home state license. If you don’t start there, you may end up having to redo the process later, which can result in lost fees and the need to requalify for licenses you already hold.
What If My State Does Not License Insurance Adjusters?
This is a common question people search for:
“What if my state doesn’t offer an adjuster license?”
The states below do not require insurance adjusters to be licensed in order to work claims:
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
If you live in one of these states, you will want to get a Designated Home State (DHS) license (which functions as your home license if you live in a state without one). While you can work insurance claims in your home state, you won’t be able to handle claims in any other state. This is why most IA Firms rarely hire unlicensed adjusters – the volume and location of claims they can handle is too limited. So getting your DHS license is essential if you want to be employed by firms and/or work catastrophe claims.
Best Designated Home State Adjuster Licenses
If you need a DHS license, these states are the most common options. (Note: Here’s where it’s acceptable for someone who doesn’t live in Texas to get a Texas license first!)
Florida Adjuster License
The Florida All Lines Adjuster License is the most widely recommended DHS license.
Florida is a strong option because of its large catastrophe market and fast application processing time.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, and floods frequently create high demand for adjusters, which is why most adjusters obtain a Florida license early on in their careers.
Texas Adjuster License
Reasons adjusters choose Texas:
- Strong reciprocity with many states
- Widely recognized in the industry
- Required by many adjusting firms
Because of this, many people search:
“Should I get the Texas adjuster license first?”
In short, if your state doesn’t license adjusters, Florida or Texas are often the best starting points. If your home state does license, start there and then obtain Florida and Texas licenses through reciprocity.
How Many Licenses Do Adjusters Need?
It depends on where you want to work. At a minimum, you typically need to be licensed in the state where you are handling claims (unless it is a non-licensing state, and even then, you will likely need your Designated Home State license to get hired.)
Experienced adjusters often hold licenses in multiple states.
Some hold licenses in 10 to 20 states, depending on the firms they work with. But don’t feel like you need to run and get licensed in 20 states right after your initial license.
A typical progression looks like this:
- Home State License
- Reciprocal Non-Resident Licenses, usually starting with Florida and Texas, and then moving to other storm-prone states
- Additional specialty certifications (NFIP, ACA Farm & Ranch, Texas windstorm)
This step-by-step approach prevents unnecessary expenses early in your career.
FAQ: Insurance Adjuster Licensing Questions
What is the best adjuster license for beginners?
For most beginners, the best license is their home state license. If your state does not license adjusters, the Florida 70-20 or Texas All Lines Adjuster Licenses are the most recommended designated home state licenses.
Can I become an insurance adjuster with only one license?
Yes. Many adjusters start with a single home state license and then add additional licenses later through reciprocity.
Is the Texas adjuster license the best license to get?
Texas is one of the most useful licenses if you need a designated home state license, but residents of other states should start with their own home license first.
Next Steps: Planning Your Adjuster Licensing Strategy
Starting a career as an insurance adjuster can feel confusing at first, but understanding the licensing process makes it much easier. The most important rule to remember is this:
Start with your home state adjuster license.
Once you have that foundation, you can expand your licenses through reciprocity and pursue opportunities in other states. If you have questions about which license you should get, talk with our award-winning support team.
