Does Virginia require an adjuster license?
Virginia does not license independent or company (staff) claims adjusters. The Bureau of Insurance's exam-based licenses cover only agents, consultants and public adjusters, and the public adjuster law expressly excludes insurer adjusters and independent-contractor adjusters (Va. Code 38.2-1845.3). Only public adjusters, who represent policyholders, must be licensed.
Some details on this page could not be confirmed on the regulator's own website. Check with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance - Agent Licensing before you apply, and tell us if anything has changed.
What to do if you want to adjust claims from Virginia
Because Virginia 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: Virginia issues no independent adjuster license and therefore no DHS license. NIPR does not allow an Adjuster Designated Home State filing for Virginia (public adjusters only).
See every state's rules side by side on the adjuster license reciprocity map.
Public adjusters in Virginia
Public adjuster license required (Va. Code 38.2-1845.1 et seq.). Residents must pass the Prometric VA Public Adjuster exam (series 11-08, 60 minutes, $35) within 183 days before applying, and must keep a $50,000 surety bond in favor of the Commonwealth (38.2-1845.2; the same bond applies to nonresidents under 38.2-1845.5). NIPR lists a $15 application fee. Licenses renew biennially by birth month and renewal requires CE (hours not verified). In a declared catastrophic disaster, fees are capped at 10% of the settlement and the rescission period is 5 business days instead of 3.
Insurance adjuster salary in Virginia
| Claims adjusters, examiners and investigators | Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual wage | $78,220 | $80,470 |
| Median annual wage | $74,240 | $78,000 |
| 10th to 90th percentile | $49,140 to $109,970 | $48,850 to $117,040 |
| Employment | 7,860 | 324,230 |
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be an insurance adjuster in Virginia?
No license is required for company or independent adjusters in Virginia. Virginia does not license independent or company (staff) claims adjusters. The Bureau of Insurance's exam-based licenses cover only agents, consultants and public adjusters, and the public adjuster law expressly excludes insurer adjusters and independent-contractor adjusters (Va. Code 38.2-1845.3). Only public adjusters, who represent policyholders, must be licensed.
How much do insurance adjusters make in Virginia?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, claims adjusters, examiners and investigators in Virginia earned a mean of $78,220 a year in May 2025, with a median of $74,240. The national mean was $80,470. Independent catastrophe adjusters are paid by fee schedule and can earn more or less than this.
Official Virginia resources
Regulator: Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance - Agent Licensing
Sources
- prometric.com/exams/insurance-va/
- prometric.com/files/virginia/INSVA-CIB-FINAL.pdf
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/virginia-resident-licensing-individual
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/virginia-non-resident-adjuster-licensing-indi
- nipr.com/licensing-center/state-information/virginia
- codes.findlaw.com/va/title-38-2-insurance/va-code-sect-38-2-1845-1/
- codes.findlaw.com/va/title-38-2-insurance/va-code-sect-38-2-1845-2/
- codes.findlaw.com/va/title-38-2-insurance/va-code-sect-38-2-1845-3/
- codes.findlaw.com/va/title-38-2-insurance/va-code-sect-38-2-1845-4/
- codes.findlaw.com/va/title-38-2-insurance/va-code-sect-38-2-1845-5/
- codes.findlaw.com/va/title-38-2-insurance/va-code-sect-38-2-1845-8/
- codes.findlaw.com/va/title-38-2-insurance/va-code-sect-38-2-1845-14/
Adjuster license requirements in other states
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