What This License Is
West Virginia's independent adjuster license covers adjusters who investigate and settle claims for insurers on a contract basis; a parallel company adjuster license covers salaried staff adjusters, and a public adjuster license covers those representing policyholders. All three are issued by the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC).
That structure is the headline: unlike states that exempt staff adjusters, West Virginia licenses company adjusters too. The narrow escape hatch is for out-of-state company adjusters who handle West Virginia claims solely by telephone, fax, mail, or email without physically entering the state.
Company and independent adjusters can hold property & casualty, crop, and workers' compensation lines of authority — and workers' comp has required its own exam since the line was created in 2021. There's no pre-licensing education requirement for any adjuster license.
Eligibility Requirements
You must be at least 18 and trustworthy; there is no experience or education prerequisite — the exam is the gate.
Fingerprinting is required for residents and for nonresidents designating West Virginia as their home state, at $45.75 total. Time it carefully: prints are only valid for 60 days from the date they're taken, so don't fingerprint months before you're ready to apply.
The Pearson VUE Adjuster Exam
Pearson VUE administers the WV Adjuster exam: 80 questions for $84 per attempt (time limit approximately 90 minutes (VERIFY)). No pre-licensing certificate is needed to sit.
After passing, apply online through NIPR with the $50 application fee. If you want the workers' compensation line, plan for the separate WC adjuster exam as well — only adjusters already licensed when the line launched in July 2021 were grandfathered in.
Passing Score
You need 70% to pass, with your result provided at the test center immediately. Aim for a consistent 80% on practice exams before scheduling.
Keeping Your License Active
Important CE details: Includes 3 hours of ethics. Applies to resident adjusters and nonresidents who designate West Virginia as their home state.
The license renews every 2 years on your birth month. Resident adjusters — and nonresidents who have designated West Virginia as their home state — must complete 24 hours of continuing education per biennium, including 3 hours of ethics.
Nonresident adjusters licensed at home generally satisfy West Virginia through home-state compliance. Confirm current CE rules and your renewal window on the OIC's site before your birth-month deadline.
Quick Reference
Official Links
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