How to Become a Claims Adjuster With No Experience

Most people who ask this are working somewhere else, have no insurance background, and want to know whether the door is open. It is. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says a high school diploma or equivalent is typically what an entry-level adjuster needs, and that new adjusters start on small claims under an experienced person's supervision. What is less simple is licensing, because it depends on your state.

Quick answer: Check whether your state requires an adjuster license for the job you want. If it does, take any required prelicensing education and pass the exam. Then apply for entry-level roles, and learn the estimating tools used in property claims. BLS also projects fewer adjuster jobs over the next decade, so expect real competition for openings.

What an adjuster actually does

According to BLS, claims adjusters inspect property or injury claims to decide what to pay, interview claimants and witnesses, gather evidence such as photos and statements, and report their findings. After a claim is approved they negotiate settlements, and on disputed claims they may work with attorneys. The work mixes office time with field time, and BLS notes irregular hours to meet evening and weekend appointments, especially when claim volume is high. Inspecting damaged buildings also means watching for hazards such as collapsed roofs and floors.

Step 1: Find out whether your state requires a license

BLS says licensing requirements for adjusters vary by state. Some states have few requirements. Others require prelicensing education, a passing score on an exam, or both, and some require continuing education to renew. In some states, adjusters employed by an insurer do not need their own license because they work under the company's license, and public adjusters may face separate requirements.

That last point matters if you have no experience. Whether you need a license on day one can depend on who hires you. Look up your state insurance department's adjuster page before you spend money. Our guides cover Oklahoma and Arizona step by step, and the producer vs. adjuster guide explains how an adjuster license differs from selling insurance.

Step 2: Get the license if you need it

Where prelicensing education and an exam are required, a course built around your state's exam outline is the shortest route. Many states also let you hold a non-resident license based on your home state's license, which matters later if you want to work claims outside your state. Details differ, so check each state before you count on it.

Step 3: Aim at the roles that take beginners

BLS describes the typical entry-level path as handling small claims under supervision and moving to larger, more complex claims with experience. In practice that points to two places to look:

• Insurance carriers, which hire staff adjusters (salaried employees of the insurer).
• Independent adjusting firms, which contract adjusters out to insurers. Our staff vs. independent vs. public adjuster guide explains the difference.

BLS also notes that some employers prefer a bachelor's degree or insurance experience, so a license, a clean application and relevant skills matter more when you do not have either.

Step 4: Learn the tools

Property claims are priced in estimating software. The best-known program is Xactimate, and our guide to Xactimate: what it is and whether you need it covers training and certification. No state licensing exam tests software, but knowing it can help you stand out when you apply.

Be realistic about the job market

Read the numbers before you commit. BLS's 2025 data put the median pay for the combined occupation (claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners and investigators) at $78,020 a year, with claims adjusters, examiners and investigators at $78,000. That is a median for everyone in the occupation, not a starting salary. BLS also projects employment for claims adjusters, examiners and investigators to decline by 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 21,600 openings a year across the occupation, all from workers who leave it. In short, the work exists, but the field is not growing, so preparation counts.

Ready to get licensed as an adjuster?

Adjuster licensing is set by each state, and we have adjuster pre-licensing courses for 23 of them: Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming.

Each course is one flat price: pay once, keep lifetime access, no subscription, and backed by our Pass Guarantee. Don't see your state? Browse all courses, or book a 1-on-1 tutoring session and we'll help you build a plan.

Related reading

• Producer vs. Adjuster: Which Insurance License Is Right for You?
• How to Become a Catastrophe Adjuster
• Staff vs. Independent vs. Public Adjuster
• How to Get Your Oklahoma Adjuster License
• How to Get Your Arizona Adjuster License