New York insurance adjuster license
Anyone who investigates and adjusts claims for an insurer in New York, other than the insurer's own employees and other persons exempted by Insurance Law §2101(g), needs a New York Independent Adjuster license. Each license class has its own PSI exam. Public adjusters, who represent the insured, need a separate Public Adjuster license.
How to get licensed in New York, step by step
- Choose the license you need. New York issues Independent Adjuster - General, Independent Adjuster - Fire, Independent Adjuster - Casualty, Independent Adjuster - Automobile, Independent Adjuster - Accident and Health, Independent Adjuster - Inland Marine, Independent Adjuster - Aviation, Independent Adjuster - Fidelity and Surety, Independent Adjuster - Auto Damage or Theft Appraisal, Independent Adjuster - Motor Vehicle No-Fault and Workers' Compensation Health Services Charges. Most new independent adjusters start with the Independent Adjuster - General license.
- Pass the state exam (17-70). It is given by PSI: 100 questions in 120 minutes, passing score 70%, fee $40. Practice first with our New York Independent General 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 New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) and pay the $100 license fee.
New York adjuster license types
| License | Covers | Exam | Prelicensing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Adjuster - General | General independent adjusting (broad P&C class; PSI exam 17-70) | Required | Not required |
| Independent Adjuster - Fire | Fire claims (exam 17-64) | Required | Not required |
| Independent Adjuster - Casualty | Casualty claims (exam 17-65) | Required | Not required |
| Independent Adjuster - Automobile | Automobile claims (exam 17-66) | Required | Not required |
| Independent Adjuster - Accident and Health | Accident and health claims (exam 17-63) | Required | Not required |
| Independent Adjuster - Inland Marine | Inland marine claims (exam 17-69) | Required | Not required |
| Independent Adjuster - Aviation | Aviation claims (exam 17-67) | Required | Not required |
| Independent Adjuster - Fidelity and Surety | Fidelity and surety claims (exam 17-68) | Required | Not required |
| Independent Adjuster - Auto Damage or Theft Appraisal | Auto physical damage/theft appraisal (exam 17-71) | Required | Not required |
| Independent Adjuster - Motor Vehicle No-Fault and Workers' Compensation Health Services Charges | No-fault and workers' comp health service charges (exam 17-72) | Required | Not required |
The New York adjuster exam
| Vendor | PSI |
|---|---|
| Exam | New York Independent General Adjuster (17-70) |
| Questions | 100 |
| Time limit | 120 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam fee | $40 |
| Candidate handbook | Official handbook (PDF) |
Take the free New York Independent General Adjuster practice test
License fees
- Resident license: $100
$50 per year or fraction thereof: $100 if the license term exceeds one year, $50 if one year or less. Every independent adjuster class costs the same; the PSI exam fee is $40 per exam. No bond is required for independent adjusters. Residents fingerprint electronically through IdentoGO; nonresidents mail fingerprint cards and fees to DFS. Fingerprint fee not stated.
License term: Up to 2 years; all adjuster licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years (no birth-date renewal).
Continuing education
New York has no continuing education requirement for adjusters.
No CE requirement for independent adjusters. The PSI/DFS bulletin applies CE (15 credits per biennium) only to agents, brokers, consultants and public adjusters, and Insurance Law §2108(r) applies CE to public adjusters.
Nonresident adjusters, reciprocity and DHS
DFS/PSI: 'There is no reciprocity in regard to licensing adjusters. All adjuster applicants must pass the New York examination.' Nonresidents can be licensed (no NY residency requirement) but must pass the NY exam for each class within 2 years before applying, submit fingerprints (mailed cards), and apply. A home-state or DHS license from another state does not waive the NY exam.
Designated home state license: New York has no Designated Home State program; it simply licenses anyone who passes the NY exam. Several states refuse NY as a DHS because NY adjusters have no CE: New Mexico (Bulletin 2024-019) and North Carolina (from Oct 10, 2025). Oregon requires NY-resident applicants to pass the Oregon exam.
See every state's rules side by side on the adjuster license reciprocity map.
Emergency and catastrophe adjusters
Insurance Law §2108(n): after a conflagration or catastrophe causing widespread property losses, DFS may issue a temporary permit of up to 120 days to a resident or nonresident to act as an independent adjuster for an authorized insurer. The insurer files the application and certifies the adjuster's experience and training. DFS issues permits only for severe, widespread events, and the permit covers only that event's claims (Circular Letter No. 1 (2026)).
Public adjusters in New York
Separate Public Adjuster license: 40-hour approved prelicensing course (or a Statement of Employer showing at least one year of experience), PSI exam 17-62, $1,000 bond, five Certificates of Character, and fingerprints. Fee $50 per year (expires Dec 31 of even years). Public adjusters must complete 15 CE credits per biennium.
Insurance adjuster salary in New York
| Claims adjusters, examiners and investigators | New York | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual wage | $89,860 | $80,470 |
| Median annual wage | $87,130 | $78,000 |
| 10th to 90th percentile | $51,560 to $130,370 | $48,850 to $117,040 |
| Employment | 17,330 | 324,230 |
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be an insurance adjuster in New York?
Anyone who investigates and adjusts claims for an insurer in New York, other than the insurer's own employees and other persons exempted by Insurance Law §2101(g), needs a New York Independent Adjuster license. Each license class has its own PSI exam. Public adjusters, who represent the insured, need a separate Public Adjuster license.
How much does an adjuster license cost in New York?
In New York, the exam fee is $40, the resident license fee is $100. Fees change, so confirm current amounts with the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS).
Can a nonresident get an adjuster license in New York?
DFS/PSI: 'There is no reciprocity in regard to licensing adjusters. All adjuster applicants must pass the New York examination.' Nonresidents can be licensed (no NY residency requirement) but must pass the NY exam for each class within 2 years before applying, submit fingerprints (mailed cards), and apply. A home-state or DHS license from another state does not waive the NY exam.
How much do insurance adjusters make in New York?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, claims adjusters, examiners and investigators in New York earned a mean of $89,860 a year in May 2025, with a median of $87,130. The national mean was $80,470. Independent catastrophe adjusters are paid by fee schedule and can earn more or less than this.
Official New York resources
Regulator: New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS)
Sources
- dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/agents_and_brokers/lic_app_ia_pa
- test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/7186
- newyork.public.law/laws/n.y._insurance_law_section_2108
- dfs.ny.gov/industry-guidance/circular-letters/cl2026-01
- dfs.ny.gov/insurance/ogco2011/rg110601.htm
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-information/new-york
Adjuster license requirements in other states
Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · 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 · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming