Adjuster Licensing

Under Maine law, adjuster licensing requirements for workers' compensation adjusters depend upon whether the adjuster is the employee of an insurance company or is adjusting workers' compensation claims for a self-insured employer. The adjuster must be licensed if she is not an insurance company employee or if she is adjusting claims on behalf of a self-insured employer (regardless of whether the adjuster is the employee of an insurance company). In either circumstance, the adjuster must be licensed unless she is an "adjuster trainee" or unless she is adjusting claims "solely on behalf of the State or counties, cities and towns." 24-A M.R.S.A. §1402 (1); 39-A M.R.S.A. §403 (12). These rules govern adjusters both instate and out of state.

The local practice is to allow two years to train and become licensed, as long as the adjuster-in-training works under the supervision of a licensed adjuster. The Bureau of Insurance requires a minimum one year of loss handling experience prior to applying to take the licensing examination for a first-time licensee. The applicant can also complete a state-approved course in pre-handling from an approved provider, if an "apprenticeship" opportunity is not available.

There is an application fee, plus a fee of for issuance of an original resident adjuster license, with biennial continuations.

Adjusters who are licensed in another state may not have to take the examination to obtain a "non-resident" license, depending upon whether such adjuster holds a "similar" license in another state. A handbook explaining the requirements further has historically been available from the Bureau of Insurance, along with the requirements for an individual bond and a blanket bond.

Maine has contracted with Thompson Prometric, a third party, to administer the tests. As of the publication of this edition of The Guide, Thompson Prometric can be reached through its web site, www.experioronline.com, or at 1-800-813-6737. Test review material, in the form of outlines, is available for a fee. In addition, many of the insurance companies keep a file of old examination questions, available as study aides. A "candidate handbook" may be obtained from either ASI or the Maine Bureau of Insurance. This handbook does not contain study materials, but rather contains information to help clarify the application and examination process.

All of the information required to take the test can be found in the Maine Bureau of Insurance Licensing Information Bulletin which is located on the Thomson Prometric web site, www.experioronline.com.

The test is now given by computer, using the multi state Prometric Testing Network allows you to discover whether you have passed immediately, rather than having to wait two to three weeks, as was the old practice. Additionally, applications for licensing are available at the testing centers, so once the applicant has passed, he or she can then pick up the application immediately and file it with the Bureau of Insurance.

The Superintendent of Insurance may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue a license if the adjuster is found not to be performing his or her duties in keeping with the Bureau's standards. An investigation may be triggered by a complaint or by a review of licenses which might show a lapse in license.

Further inquiries about the application and licensing process can be directed to the Bureau of Insurance licensing division at (207) 624-8412, or for examination information, to Thompson Prometric at 1-800-813-6737 (fax at 1-800-347-9242).