Does Pennsylvania require an adjuster license?
Pennsylvania has no license class for company/staff or independent adjusters working for insurers; the Insurance Department licenses public adjusters (Act 21 of 2012 / Public Adjuster Licensing Law) and, separately, Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraisers.
What to do if you want to adjust claims from Pennsylvania
Because Pennsylvania 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.
Nonresident adjusters, reciprocity and DHS
Designated home state license: Pennsylvania issues no company/independent adjuster license and therefore no DHS license. PA residents typically obtain a DHS license from another state (e.g., TX, FL, IN, NC); Rhode Island's NIPR rules list PA among jurisdictions without independent adjuster licensing.
See every state's rules side by side on the adjuster license reciprocity map.
Emergency and catastrophe adjusters
No emergency/catastrophe adjuster license found; because carrier-side adjusters are not licensed, out-of-state company and independent adjusters need no PA license. Public adjusters must be PA-licensed.
Public adjusters in Pennsylvania
Separate Public Adjuster license: PSI exam, $200 application fee, IdentoGO fingerprints (residents). A surety bond of at least $20,000 and a Department-approved contract must be in place before doing business (Act 21 of 2012). Nonresident public adjusters ($200) need their home-state license and may not file an adjuster DHS. Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraiser is a separate license: exam required, $55 fee, plus a training course or 6 months of experience.
Insurance adjuster salary in Pennsylvania
| Claims adjusters, examiners and investigators | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual wage | $79,780 | $80,470 |
| Median annual wage | $77,290 | $78,000 |
| 10th to 90th percentile | $46,360 to $119,980 | $48,850 to $117,040 |
| Employment | 13,270 | 324,230 |
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be an insurance adjuster in Pennsylvania?
No license is required for company or independent adjusters in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has no license class for company/staff or independent adjusters working for insurers; the Insurance Department licenses public adjusters (Act 21 of 2012 / Public Adjuster Licensing Law) and, separately, Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraisers.
How much do insurance adjusters make in Pennsylvania?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, claims adjusters, examiners and investigators in Pennsylvania earned a mean of $79,780 a year in May 2025, with a median of $77,290. The national mean was $80,470. Independent catastrophe adjusters are paid by fee schedule and can earn more or less than this.
Official Pennsylvania resources
Regulator: Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement
Sources
- pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/insurance/documents/licensees/documents/currentforms/i
- pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/insurance/documents/coverage/homeowners/documents/publ
- pa.gov/agencies/insurance/consumer-help-center/learn-about-insurance/homeowners/public-adj
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/pennsylvania-resident-licensing-individual
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/pennsylvania-non-resident-adjuster-license-in
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-information/pennsylvania
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/rhode-island-non-resident-adjuster-licensing-
Adjuster license requirements in other states
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