Claims adjuster, examiner or investigator: diploma, supervised small claims, a state license in many states
Entry-level adjusters, examiners and investigators typically need a high school diploma, though some positions need a bachelor's degree or insurance experience. Licensing varies by state: some require prelicensing education, an exam or both.
For: Patient, careful people who can investigate, negotiate and judge evidence, often outside the office.
Route 1: Diploma → small claims under supervision → larger claims Adjuster or examiner
Employers sometimes prefer a bachelor's degree or insurance-related work experience.
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Start here
High school diploma or equivalent
GED or HiSETBLS
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
State license, where required
Some states require prelicensing education, an exam or both; in some states company adjusters work under the company license.
BLS
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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On the job
Small claims under an experienced worker
BLS
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Claims adjuster or examiner
Assigned larger, more complex claims with experience.
BLS
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Autobody program or repair-shop work → auto damage appraiser Auto damage
Many vocational schools and some community colleges teach how to estimate the cost of repairing damaged vehicles.
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Start here
Postsecondary nondegree award in autobody repair, or repair-shop experience
BLS
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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On the job
Several months estimating under an experienced appraiser
BLS
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Auto damage appraiser
BLS
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 3: Example: Texas all-lines adjuster license One state's rule
The most common adjuster license in Texas; it covers catastrophe, property and casualty, workers' compensation and other types.
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Exam gate
State exam InsTX-ALAdj16
Not needed after a TDI-approved adjusting course or training program completed in the last 12 months.
TDI
Adjuster: all lines — apply for a licenseTexas Department of Insurance (TDI)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Background
Fingerprints through IdentoGO
TDI
Adjuster: all lines — apply for a licenseTexas Department of Insurance (TDI)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
Apply on Sircon within one year of passing
Application fee $50.
TDI
Adjuster: all lines — apply for a licenseTexas Department of Insurance (TDI)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Texas all-lines adjuster
TDI
Careers in insurance: How to become an insurance agent or adjusterTexas Department of Insurance (TDI)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- State adjuster license
State insurance department · State license - Required in some states; in some states company adjusters can work under the company license.
BLS
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State rules
Licensing requirements vary by state: some states have few requirements, others require prelicensing education, an exam or both, and some require continuing education to renew. Public adjusters may need to meet separate or additional requirements. BLS
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Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.