Michigan insurance adjuster license
Independent adjusters who contract with insurers must hold an Insurance Adjuster (independent adjuster) license, and public adjusters need an Adjuster for the Insured license. Company/staff adjusters who are salaried employees of the insurer they adjust for are exempt, but the exemption does not extend to affiliated insurers or adjusters leased through a management company.
How to get licensed in Michigan, step by step
- Confirm the license type. Michigan issues the Insurance Adjuster (independent adjuster) license (Lines of authority: Fire and other hazards; Workers' Compensation; Crop (including federally administered multi-peril crop insurance)).
- Pass the state exam (16-72 (with WC) / 16-71 (without WC)). It is given by PSI: 100 questions in 120 minutes, passing score 70%, fee $41. Some applicants can skip it (see exemptions below). Practice first with our Michigan Independent Adjuster practice test.
- Submit fingerprints for the criminal background check if your application type requires them (see fees below).
- Apply for the license with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and pay the $15 license fee.
Michigan adjuster license types
| License | Covers | Exam | Prelicensing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance Adjuster (independent adjuster) | Lines of authority: Fire and other hazards; Workers' Compensation; Crop (including federally administered multi-peril crop insurance) | Required Crop line: Bulletin 2010-05-INS allows licensure without an exam for applicants holding an MPCI or FCIC certificate. Attorneys admitted in Michigan may adjust without a license but cannot represent themselves as licensed adjusters. | Not required |
The Michigan adjuster exam
| Vendor | PSI |
|---|---|
| Exam | Independent Adjuster with Workers' Compensation Authority / Independent Adjuster without Workers' Compensation Authority (16-72 (with WC) / 16-71 (without WC)) |
| Questions | 100 |
| Time limit | 120 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam fee | $41 |
| Candidate handbook | Official handbook (PDF) |
License fees
- Resident license: $15
- Nonresident license: $15
$15 application/license fee (may include one or more lines of authority) plus NIPR transaction fee ($5.00 resident ERL, $6.18 nonresident NRAL). Annual renewal fee $5. Applications are valid 6 months; the exam must be passed within that window. No fingerprint requirement for adjusters was found on DIFS pages.
License term: 1 year; all resident and nonresident adjuster licenses expire March 31 annually (renew Feb 1 to Mar 31 via DIFS Licensing Express Renewal)
Continuing education
Michigan has no continuing education requirement for adjusters.
The DIFS adjuster renewal page requires only the $5 annual renewal fee. No CE requirement for adjusters was found on DIFS pages, and secondary sources agree.
Nonresident adjusters, reciprocity and DHS
Nonresidents must be licensed in their home state (residence or principal place of business) for every line requested. If that state did not require an exam, the applicant must take the Michigan exam or prove an equivalent exam passed in another state where they are licensed. NIPR's ADHS rules let applicants whose home state does not license adjusters designate a state where they hold an active nonresident license. Apply through NIPR (NRAL); crop applicants must give the insurer's NAIC number.
Designated home state license: According to NIPR, an applicant may select Michigan as their Adjuster Designated Home State when applying for the nonresident Michigan license. DIFS's own pages do not describe a separate DHS license. Applicants whose resident state requires no exam must pass the Michigan exam.
See every state's rules side by side on the adjuster license reciprocity map.
Emergency and catastrophe adjusters
No license exemption: in a catastrophe, emergency adjusters must be licensed in Michigan before adjusting claims. Each person files an Electronic Licensing application, and DIFS expedites emergency applicants who contact DIFS-Licensing@michigan.gov for special instructions.
Public adjusters in Michigan
Separate 'Adjuster for the Insured' license covering fire and other hazards; may not adjust workers' comp. Requires the PSI Public Adjuster exam (16-70: 100 questions, 2 hours, 71% cut score), filing of the adjuster contract, and the $15 fee plus $5 annual renewal. No bond requirement appears on the DIFS pages reviewed.
Insurance adjuster salary in Michigan
| Claims adjusters, examiners and investigators | Michigan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual wage | $79,640 | $80,470 |
| Median annual wage | $78,850 | $78,000 |
| 10th to 90th percentile | $48,210 to $109,000 | $48,850 to $117,040 |
| Employment | 6,640 | 324,230 |
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be an insurance adjuster in Michigan?
Independent adjusters who contract with insurers must hold an Insurance Adjuster (independent adjuster) license, and public adjusters need an Adjuster for the Insured license. Company/staff adjusters who are salaried employees of the insurer they adjust for are exempt, but the exemption does not extend to affiliated insurers or adjusters leased through a management company.
How much does an adjuster license cost in Michigan?
In Michigan, the exam fee is $41, the resident license fee is $15. Fees change, so confirm current amounts with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS).
Can a nonresident get an adjuster license in Michigan?
Nonresidents must be licensed in their home state (residence or principal place of business) for every line requested. If that state did not require an exam, the applicant must take the Michigan exam or prove an equivalent exam passed in another state where they are licensed. NIPR's ADHS rules let applicants whose home state does not license adjusters designate a state where they hold an active nonresident license. Apply through NIPR (NRAL); crop applicants must give the insurer's NAIC number.
How much do insurance adjusters make in Michigan?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, claims adjusters, examiners and investigators in Michigan earned a mean of $79,640 a year in May 2025, with a median of $78,850. The national mean was $80,470. Independent catastrophe adjusters are paid by fee schedule and can earn more or less than this.
Official Michigan resources
Regulator: Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS)
Sources
- michigan.gov/difs/industry/licensing-ins/adjuster
- michigan.gov/difs/industry/licensing-ins/adjuster/general-info/how-to-become-licensed-as-a
- michigan.gov/difs/industry/licensing-ins/adjuster/general-info/how-to-become-licensed-as-a
- michigan.gov/difs/industry/licensing-ins/adjuster/licensed/renewal-information-for-adjuste
- michigan.gov/difs/industry/licensing-ins/adjuster/related/adjuster-emergency-catastrophe-l
- test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/3560
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/michigan-non-resident-adjuster-licensing-indi
Adjuster license requirements in other states
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