Massachusetts insurance adjuster license
Massachusetts has no license for company (staff) or independent property/casualty claims adjusters. The DOI licenses public insurance adjusters, and anyone who appraises or estimates motor vehicle damage for insurance claims must hold a Motor Vehicle Damage Appraiser (MVDA) license overseen by the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board.
Some details on this page could not be confirmed on the regulator's own website. Check with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI); Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) for motor vehicle damage appraisers before you apply, and tell us if anything has changed.
How to get licensed in Massachusetts, step by step
- Confirm the license type. Massachusetts issues the Motor Vehicle Damage Appraiser (MVDA) license (Inspecting and estimating motor vehicle damage for insurance claims (auto physical damage appraisal only)).
- Complete prelicensing education. Massachusetts requires approved prelicensing education before the exam.
- Pass the state exam. It is given by Pearson VUE. Practice first with our claims adjuster practice test.
- Apply for the license with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI); Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) for motor vehicle damage appraisers.
Massachusetts adjuster license types
| License | Covers | Exam | Prelicensing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Damage Appraiser (MVDA) | Inspecting and estimating motor vehicle damage for insurance claims (auto physical damage appraisal only) | Required | Required |
The Massachusetts adjuster exam
| Vendor | Pearson VUE |
|---|---|
| Exam | MVDA Part I examination (written), followed by MVDA Part II practical examination scheduled by the Division |
License fees
MVDA applications are filed through NIPR. Fee amounts are not shown on the current mass.gov MVDA page. The training requirement can be met with a certificate from a Board-approved damage appraiser course or with 2 years of qualifying Massachusetts appraisal experience; applicants also need a letter from a licensed MA appraiser verifying 3 months of supervised experience.
License term: MVDA licenses expire June 30 each year and are renewed annually through NIPR
Nonresident adjusters, reciprocity and DHS
No company/independent adjuster license exists, so no nonresident adjuster license or DHS acceptance applies. Nonresident MVDA licensing rules were not verified.
Designated home state license: Massachusetts issues no Designated Home State adjuster license. MA residents who need adjuster licenses elsewhere generally obtain a DHS license from a state that offers one; Minnesota lists MA among jurisdictions whose residents may designate a home state.
See every state's rules side by side on the adjuster license reciprocity map.
Emergency and catastrophe adjusters
Not applicable for company/independent property adjusters (no license required). No emergency/catastrophe adjuster licensing provision was found.
Public adjusters in Massachusetts
DOI Public Insurance Adjuster license (M.G.L. c.175 §172): must be 21+, have 2 years of property-loss adjusting experience, pass the Massachusetts Public Insurance Adjuster exam (required of both residents and nonresidents), submit a CORI background check report, photo and contract through NIPR. License term 3 years; 15 hours of approved PA CE per term. Business entities need a separate Business Entity PA license. Bond amount not verified.
Insurance adjuster salary in Massachusetts
| Claims adjusters, examiners and investigators | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual wage | $88,750 | $80,470 |
| Median annual wage | $83,740 | $78,000 |
| 10th to 90th percentile | $58,650 to $123,260 | $48,850 to $117,040 |
| Employment | 5,070 | 324,230 |
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be an insurance adjuster in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has no license for company (staff) or independent property/casualty claims adjusters. The DOI licenses public insurance adjusters, and anyone who appraises or estimates motor vehicle damage for insurance claims must hold a Motor Vehicle Damage Appraiser (MVDA) license overseen by the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board.
Can a nonresident get an adjuster license in Massachusetts?
No company/independent adjuster license exists, so no nonresident adjuster license or DHS acceptance applies. Nonresident MVDA licensing rules were not verified.
How much do insurance adjusters make in Massachusetts?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, claims adjusters, examiners and investigators in Massachusetts earned a mean of $88,750 a year in May 2025, with a median of $83,740. The national mean was $80,470. Independent catastrophe adjusters are paid by fee schedule and can earn more or less than this.
Official Massachusetts resources
Sources
- mass.gov/info-details/public-insurance-adjuster-individual-corporate
- mass.gov/info-details/public-insurance-adjusters
- malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section172
- mass.gov/info-details/motor-vehicle-damage-appraisers-mvda
- mn.gov/commerce/licensing/list/insurance/adjusters.jsp
Adjuster license requirements in other states
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