How to get a California adjuster license
Requirements, exam, fees and the order to do things in — from the California Department of Insurance and the exam handbook.
Step by step
- Study for the exam — California doesn't require a pre-licensing course for this license, but most first-time candidates take an exam-prep course.
- Schedule and pass the state exam with PSI ($79 (CDI fee schedule); $122 at PSI site). Read the candidate handbook.
- Get fingerprinted if required — Required: Live Scan via Capital Live Scan, total $74 ($17 FBI + $32 DOJ + $25 vendor).
- Apply for the license through NIPR or the California Department of Insurance ($311).
- Get appointed by an insurance company (agents) and keep up with continuing education — none hours per renewal (license term: 2 years).
Pre-licensing & exam prep courses
- ExamFX — pre-licensing and exam prep with a pass guarantee
- XCEL Solutions — low-cost online pre-licensing and exam prep
- AdjusterPro — Texas and Florida adjuster courses that waive the state exam
Pick a course approved in California. Some links may be affiliate links.
California Adjuster requirements
| Independent Insurance Adjuster | |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | None required |
| Exam vendor | PSI |
| Exam fee | $79 (CDI fee schedule); $122 at PSI site |
| Questions / time | 100 · 150 min |
| License application fee | $311 verify |
| Fingerprints | Required: Live Scan via Capital Live Scan, total $74 ($17 FBI + $32 DOJ + $25 vendor) |
| Continuing education | none hours · 2 years |
Independent Insurance Adjuster: Pass 70%. Requires ~2 years of claims experience (CIC 15027). No CA DHS route.
Minimum age 18. Sources: PSI/CDI Candidate Information Bulletin (rev. Mar 2026) · CDI Exam times and number of questions · CDI Licensing Fees · PSI CA DOI test listing (fees). Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
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Adjuster license rules across the US
Other California licenses
Life & Health license · Property & Casualty license · All California insurance licenses
Questions
How long does it take to get a independent insurance adjuster license in California?
California has no required pre-licensing hours, so many candidates sit the exam within 1–3 weeks of studying. After you pass, license approval usually takes a few days to a few weeks after fingerprints clear.
How much does a California Adjuster license cost?
State fees (exam + application) come to about $390, plus fingerprints and a course if you take one.
Who runs the California insurance exam?
PSI. Book the exam on the vendor's site after reading the candidate handbook.