Reviewed by the CoveragePrep editorial team · Sources: state insurance departments, statutes, exam candidate handbooks · How we research

Licensing guide · DC

Does District of Columbia require an adjuster license?

The District of Columbia does not license independent or staff (company) adjusters. Only public insurance adjusters, who represent insureds on first-party property claims, must be licensed under D.C. Code 31-1631.01 et seq.

License required
No license required
Offers a DHS license
No

What to do if you want to adjust claims from District of Columbia

Because District of Columbia does not issue its own adjuster license, residents who want to work as independent or catastrophe adjusters in other states usually earn a designated home state (DHS) license from a state such as Texas or Florida. Many licensing states then issue nonresident licenses based on that DHS license.

Texas DHS licenseReciprocity map

License fees

    No independent/company adjuster license exists in DC.

    Continuing education

    Not applicable to independent/company adjusters.

    Nonresident adjusters, reciprocity and DHS

    Not applicable: NIPR lists only a Public Adjuster license for DC.

    Designated home state license: DC issues no DHS adjuster license. DC residents usually get a DHS license from another state: Alabama, Alaska and Florida (70-20) all list DC as a non-licensing jurisdiction.

    See every state's rules side by side on the adjuster license reciprocity map.

    Emergency and catastrophe adjusters

    Not applicable: DC does not license independent or company adjusters.

    Public adjusters in District of Columbia

    Licensed (D.C. Code 31-1631.03-.04). Requirements are the Pearson VUE Public Adjuster exam (code 17; 50 scored questions; 1 hour; $75), a $20,000 surety bond (31-1631.05) and a fee cap of 10% of the insured's recovery (31-1631.08). The exam can be waived for applicants licensed in a reciprocal state that certifies they passed an exam. Licenses run until April 30 of the next odd-numbered year; NIPR lists renewal at $100 and reinstatement at $200.

    Insurance adjuster salary in District of Columbia

    Claims adjusters, examiners and investigatorsDistrict of ColumbiaUnited States
    Mean annual wage$103,060$80,470
    Median annual wage$101,150$78,000
    10th to 90th percentile$70,240 to $144,680$48,850 to $117,040
    Employment360324,230
    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 13-1031. Compare all states.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do you need a license to be an insurance adjuster in District of Columbia?

    No license is required for company or independent adjusters in District of Columbia. The District of Columbia does not license independent or staff (company) adjusters. Only public insurance adjusters, who represent insureds on first-party property claims, must be licensed under D.C. Code 31-1631.01 et seq.

    Can a nonresident get an adjuster license in District of Columbia?

    Not applicable: NIPR lists only a Public Adjuster license for DC.

    How much do insurance adjusters make in District of Columbia?

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, claims adjusters, examiners and investigators in District of Columbia earned a mean of $103,060 a year in May 2025, with a median of $101,150. The national mean was $80,470. Independent catastrophe adjusters are paid by fee schedule and can earn more or less than this.

    Official District of Columbia resources

    Regulator: DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB)

    Sources

    1. disb.dc.gov/page/insurance-producer-licensing
    2. code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-1631.02
    3. code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-1631.04
    4. code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-1631.05
    5. code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-1631.08
    6. pearsonvue.com/us/en/dc/insurance.html
    7. pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/120900.pdf
    8. pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/120901.pdf
    9. nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/district-of-columbia-non-resident-adjuster-li
    10. commerce.alaska.gov/web/ins/IndependentAdjuster
    11. web.archive.org/web/20260521102905/https://aldoi.gov/Licensing/AdjusterReq.aspx

    Adjuster license requirements in other states

    Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming