Becoming an independent insurance adjuster in North Carolina begins with getting your adjuster license. We’re here to make the licensing process easy.
On this page you’ll find step-by-step instructions to find the best adjuster license course, pass your exam, and apply for the North Carolina Adjuster License.
Be sure to bookmark this page so you can reference the steps as you need them.
North Carolina Adjuster License Requirements
Before you begin the steps to getting your North Carolina adjuster license there’s a few requirements you’ll need to ensure you qualify.
- You must be 18 years of age or older
- You must be a resident of North Carolina (non-residents will need to apply for a different license)
- You must be able to pass a background check (more info in step 3)
- You must NOT hold an agent (producer) license for property, casualty, or personal lines in North Carolina
Along with these requirements, you’ll also need to choose which lines of insurance you’d like to work within.
- Adjuster
- Hail Adjuster
North Carolina doesn’t offer an “all-lines” license, rather, it splits the Hail Adjuster line off from the main Adjuster license.
Note
We recommend going for both lines at the same time. You’ll take two exams, but the hail exam is only 19 questions. Applying for both lines simultaneously on a single application will save you $49 in fees rather than filing two applications separately.
Savings Opportunity
Looking for other North Carolina insurance licenses?
North Carolina P&C License | North Carolina L&H License
North Carolina Adjuster License Course
Before you apply for the license or take the exam, you’ll need to take a North Carolina Adjuster License course.
These courses are designed to prepare you to pass your exam. The exams don’t contain any “common sense” questions – rather, the information tested is dense insurance law and ethics. Taking a training course is the only way to prepare for and pass the test.
Recommended
Kaplan’s adjuster courses have above average pass rates, and come at a considerably lower price than their competition.
We recommend the Essential Package Adjuster Course ($189).
Visit KaplanHow to Get a North Carolina Adjuster License
To get a North Carolina Adjuster license, you’ll complete your adjuster course, file your application and fees, submit your fingerprints, then take the exams.
A common question we receive is: How much is the North Carolina adjuster license? Prices will vary depending on the type of license, but the most common license will cost as little as $550.
Another common question is: How long does it take to get the North Carolina adjuster license? If you take the proper time to study and pass the exam on your first attempt, the process should take around 3-4 weeks.
Step 1: North Carolina Adjuster License Course
The first step to getting your adjuster license is taking your test-prep course.
The prices of these courses range depending on the provider and level of coursework, but generally start around $139.
Be sure that you’re comfortable with the material in the coursework before moving on to your state exam.
Check out our review of the Best Adjuster License Courses of 2026!
Step 2: North Carolina Adjuster Application – NC DOI
Once you’ve completed your adjuster course, the next step is to apply for your license.
The application fee for adjuster licenses is structured in a slightly confusing way, so we’ve created this table to simplify the fees.
| License Type(s) | Fee Breakdown | Total Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adjuster | $50 registration fee $75 license fee $44 application processing fee $5 NIPR fee | $174 |
| Adjuster Hail | $50 registration fee $20 license fee $44 application processing fee $5 NIPR fee | $119 |
| Adjuster + Adjuster Hail | $100 registration fee $95 license fee $44 application processing fee $5 NIPR fee | $244 |
Apply for your license using the NIPR North Carolina Insurance Application page.
During the application, ensure you pay close attention to the Exam Ticket section. It’s a common mistake in NC to select for an agent/producer exam instead of the adjuster exam.
Some time after you submit your application with NIPR, you will receive an email authorization from Pearson Vue that you are eligible to schedule your exam.
Note
- Once you submit your application, you have 6 months to complete exams for ALL lines applied for.
- You may not schedule your exam with Pearson Vue until you receive the authorization email.
- Military veterans may be eligible for waived licensing fees. Check this page for more info and to apply.
Step 3: Submit Fingerprints
Once you’ve submitted your license application, the next step is to submit your fingerprints.
Completing your NIPR application will trigger an email from NC DOI containing the fingerprint process instructions.
The fingerprint fee is $38.
You’ll work with a local sheriff’s office to take your prints. Be sure that your location offers Live Scan before you schedule an appointment. Use this PDF to find Live Scan locations.
Note
Submitting your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any past offenses on your record and are curious of your eligibility for an insurance license, reach out to the NC DOI licensing department for clarification.
Step 4: North Carolina Adjuster Exam
Once you’ve completed your adjuster pre-license education course, the next step is to pass the North Carolina Adjuster Exam.
To register to take the exam, use the North Carolina Pearson VUE website.
The price for each attempt of the exam is $45.
Depending on the type of license you’re working toward, the number of questions and time allotted for the exam differ. See the table below for details.
| Adjuster License Type | Cost | Questions | Time Allotted | Exam Outline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjuster | $45 | 100 | 2 hours and 15 minutes | Exam Outline |
| Hail Adjuster | $45 | 19 | 30 minutes | Exam Outline |
Once you pass the exam(s), Pearson VUE will send the results to NIPR. This process takes between 2-3 business days.
Is the North Carolina Adjuster Exam Hard?
A common question we receive is: Is the adjuster exam hard?
Difficulty is a subjective matter, but we answer this question with: Yes. The exam is intentionally tough.
Don’t let this discourage you. Keep in mind that most folks who take this exam haven’t taken any formal tests since high school or college. The state intentionally makes these tests difficult in the hopes of protecting the average citizen from working with adjusters who don’t understand the laws and guidelines surrounding insurance.
The key to passing the exam is to take your exam-prep course seriously and allow yourself time for in-depth study.
Check out our How to Pass the Adjuster Exam guide for tips and strategies to pass your exam on the first attempt!
Application and Background Check Processing
Once you’ve completed all of the steps above you’ll just need to wait for the background check to come back and the licensing department to process all the paperwork. NC DOI will contact you if they need any supporting documentation or have any questions. Be sure to respond promptly to any requests.
If everything goes smoothly, you’ll receive a message from the licensing department within a week or so containing your license number and any other pertinent information. You can check the status of your license online using the NAIC North Carolina Insurance License Search tool.
Congratulations! You are now a licensed insurance adjuster in North Carolina!
After Getting Your License
Now that you’re licensed, you can get to work! Most folks take one of two paths at this point. They choose to become an independent adjuster or a staff adjuster.
The main difference is that staff adjusters are employed by one firm, usually an insurance company, whereas independent adjusters operate as contractors, normally being “rostered” to multiple Independent Adjusting (IA) firms.
If you’re interested in becoming a staff adjuster, check out the current job openings on StateRequirement Jobs.
If the independent adjuster role is more alluring (we think it is), check out this IA Directory.
Adjuster Certifications
To be considered a great candidate for IA firms or insurance companies, you’ll need to prove that you know how to actually work an insurance claim. Certifications show that you know your stuff and will give you a strong advantage over other candidates.
While there are several adjuster certifications available, focus on Xactimate and Insurance Company certs first.
Xactimate Certifications
Xactimate is the industry standard software used by adjusters and insurance companies. There are three levels of certification offered by Xactimate.
You should strongly consider levels one and two now, and look into level three after you’ve spent some time in the field.
Insurance Company Adjuster Certifications
Large insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and others require that adjusters (staff or independent) get their specific certifications.
To get these certs, you’ll need to be on the roster of an IA firm that works with that company. They offer courses to their adjusters throughout the year. Staff adjusters that work for the insurance company will be provided training and certification through their employer.
It’s widely accepted that State Farm’s adjuster certification is the most valuable insurance company cert. They are the largest insurer in the US, and therefore have more claims than other insurers.
Out-of-State and Reciprocal Licensing
Most claims, especially catastrophe (CAT) claims come from weather events. And since you can’t control the weather, you should get licenses in states outside your home state. These are called Non-Resident Adjuster Licenses.
IA firms are much more likely to both roster you and select you for work if you are licensed in states where they operate. If you’re already on a roster or two, talk with your contact there to see if they recommend a state to get licensed in.
The best states to start with are generally those that neighbor your home state. For North Carolina, this includes:
- Virginia (no license required)
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- Tennessee (no license required)
These states offer what’s called reciprocation with North Carolina. This means that you don’t need to take a pre-licensing course or pass an exam in order to get their license. All you need to do is apply, pay the fee, and you’ll be licensed quickly.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
The North Carolina Adjuster License expires every two years. To keep your license active, you must:
- Complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) coursework
- Pay the renewal fee of $114 for Adjuster, $59 for Hail Adjuster, or $134 for both
Any additional non-resident licenses you hold will also expire. Most state licenses expire every two years and require a renewal fee. Note that unless the state specifically requires it, you will not be required to take CE courses for each state – just your home state.
For detailed instructions, see our North Carolina Adjuster License Renewal guide.
References and Links
North Carolina Department of Insurance – NCDOI
Mailing Address
North Carolina Department of Insurance
1201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1201
Phone
(919) 807-6800
Website
https://www.ncdoi.gov/
Email
ASD@ncdoi.gov
