Ohio does not require insurance adjusters to obtain an Ohio adjuster license in order to operate within the state.
Having said that, residents without a license will not be able to operate outside of Ohio or obtain reciprocal licenses from other states, which can be a massive disadvantage.
A good solution to this is a designated home state license — also known as a DHS license.
We recommend getting a DHS license in Florida. This is because a Florida DHS adjuster license has great reciprocity, the quickest application process, and a relatively short insurance adjuster exam.
AdjusterPro ($179+)
Ohio does not offer a resident adjuster license and does not require Ohio residents to hold a license in order to operate as adjusters within the state.
Having said that, getting a license from a different state — known as a DHS license — is often recommended nonetheless.
This is because this license has very few pre licensing education requirements, yet operating without it can handicap you in the long run and significantly limit your employment opportunities.
There are several states that offer what is called a Designated Home State license. Having said that, it is important to note that Florida, Texas, and Indiana are the most popular.
Essentially, this is a type of license that allows people that live in a non-licensing state — such as Ohio or Pennsylvania — the opportunity to “designate” a different state (e.g., Florida, Indiana, etc.) as their “home state.”
This allows them to apply for and obtain a Florida insurance adjuster license as if they were an in-state resident of Florida.
This is beneficial for several reasons, including:
The bottom line is this: if you wish to work in insurance claims, you should have a license to do so, and in Ohio, the only way to do that is to get a designated home state license.
StateRequirement recommends getting a Florida DHS Adjuster License. This is because it has an exceptionally fast application process, short exam structure, and high reciprocity.
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There are four main types of insurance adjusters: staff adjusters, independent adjusters, catastrophe adjusters, and public adjusters.
Each of these positions accomplishes essentially the same task: assess the damage to property brought about by some event and make an evaluation of what monetary value the insurance claim should carry.
The big difference between these different types of insurance adjusters is who pays them, and in the case of the public adjuster, who they are advocating for. Staff, independent, and catastrophe adjusters do not require a license in Ohio, whereas public adjusters do.
In order to obtain an Ohio public adjuster license, you will need to file a public insurance adjuster application with the Ohio Department of Insurance.
This can be done online through NIPR or via mail (Form INS3214).
You will also need to pass Ohio’s public adjuster examination.
Keep in mind that you will need proof of bond in the amount of at least $1,000 payable to the “State of Ohio”. You can submit supporting documents electronically, such as the Ohio Specific Bond form.
The filing fee for your application is $100, which is non-refundable.
Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Insurance
50 W. Town Street, 3rd Floor – Suite 300
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 644-2658
Fax: (614) 644-3475
You will not need or be able to get an adjuster’s license in Ohio. Even so, you can choose to obtain a license from a different state — known as a designated home state (DHS) license — in order to give yourself more employment opportunities. See our Florida DHS Adjuster License article for more information.
No, Ohio does not license independent adjusters. If you want to begin working as an adjuster in Ohio, you will not need to pass a state-sanctioned exam or file an official application with the Department of Insurance. For more information, have a look at our Ohio Adjuster License article.
This will depend on factors such as your experience, certifications, and precise location within Ohio. The current average annual salary for property adjusters in Ohio is $51,222. This range typically varies between $46,507 and $57,040. For more information, have a look at our How Much Does an Insurance Adjuster Make article.
No, you do not, unless you want to become a public adjuster. This is because Ohio does not license insurance adjusters. Note: If you plan to obtain a license from a different state regardless, you will be required to take that state’s insurance exam. See our Ohio Insurance License Exam article for more information.
Yes, as long as you pass the Ohio public adjuster examination (Exam Series 11-38), file an application with the Ohio Department of Insurance, provide proof of bond ($1,000 minimum), and pay the $100 processing fee. See our What Does an Insurance Adjuster Do article for more information on how public adjusters operate.
Information on this page was researched and gathered from a multitude of sources and was most recently updated on July 26, 2024
Any Information on this site is not guaranteed or warranted to be correct, accurate, or up to date. StateRequirement and its members and affiliates are not responsible for any losses, monetary or otherwise. StateRequirement is not affiliated with any state, government, or licensing body. For more information, please contact your state's authority on insurance.
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