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State guide

How to become a public adjuster in Maine

Maine requires a public adjuster license. There is no statutory fee cap; the governing law is 24-A M.R.S. ch. 16.

Maine issues one adjuster license and does not distinguish public from independent adjusters. No bond or fee cap.

The pathway

Getting licensed in Maine

The license is the Adjuster (property and casualty). Maine uses one adjuster license for company, independent and public adjusters; you declare which you are on the application. Maine Bureau of Insurance. Maine issues one adjuster license under 24-A M.R.S. ch. 16, subch. 6; the Bureau's FAQ states 'Maine does not differentiate between Independent and Public Adjusters.' Adjusters working for insureds are subject to the 36-hour solicitation rule and 2-business-day rescission right in § 1476.

Official sources

Gathered from these sources on August 28, 2026. Fees and hours change with the legislative calendar, and this page may be out of date. The regulator’s own page is the only current authority.

  1. Schedule and pass the Maine Property and Casualty Adjuster exam in person at a Pearson VUE center ($55, 50 questions, 60 minutes).

  2. Apply through NIPR with the NAIC uniform adjuster application and pay the resident fee ($45 per the Bureau FAQ).

  3. Once licensed, keep a record of every adjustment and fee at your business address for at least 3 years (§ 1474).

  4. When working for insureds, wait at least 36 hours after the loss before offering a contract and print the 2-business-day rescission notice on page one (§ 1476).

  5. Renew through NIPR by October 1 of even-numbered years; no CE is required.

Who can apply
At least 18 years old · Residents and non-residents · None required; an optional 'adjuster trainee' status exists for individuals with under one year of experience supervised by a licensed adjuster (§ 1402(2)). Nonresidents with a home-state adjuster license are licensed reciprocally without exam (§ 1477); applicants whose home state does not license adjusters designate a home state.
Prelicensing course
Not required No prelicensing course is required for adjuster exam candidates in the March 2026 candidate handbook.
State exam
Pearson VUE · 50 questions · 60 minutes · pass at 70 (scaled) · $55 per attempt Since May 10, 2025 exams must be taken in person at a Pearson VUE test center (Bureau notice). Exam required of residents and of nonresidents designating Maine as home state.
Application
NIPR (NAIC uniform application); paper forms accepted · $45 application fee Exam $55 (Pearson VUE). Bureau FAQ lists $45 resident / $75 nonresident. 24-A M.R.S. § 601(8) lists $30 resident / $60 nonresident issuance and biennial fees; the difference is not explained on the Bureau's pages.
Background check
Not stated in these sources
Surety bond
No bond required No bond requirement in 24-A M.R.S. ch. 16, subch. 6.
Renewal
Every 2 years · $45 Resident adjuster licenses renew October 1 of even-numbered years; nonresident January 1 of even-numbered years; renewal opens 90 days before (Bureau FAQ). Renew through NIPR. Statute § 601(8) states a $30 biennial fee for residents; the Bureau FAQ quotes $45.
Continuing education
None required Bureau FAQ: 'adjusters, both resident and nonresident, are not currently required to complete continuing education credits.'
Already licensed elsewhere?
Reciprocity available Superintendent waives requirements (other than fees and trustworthiness) for a nonresident with a valid home-state adjuster license if the home state reciprocates (§ 1477).

Not stated in these sources

These points were not stated in the sources listed, so we have left them blank rather than guess. Ask the regulator directly:

  • ·Application fee: Bureau FAQ ($45) conflicts with 24-A M.R.S. § 601(8) ($30); the FAQ figure is used
  • ·Renewal fee: Same conflict as application.fee
  • ·Eligibility background check: No fingerprint or criminal history requirement found on the Bureau pages or in subch. 6
  • ·Status: Maine licenses public adjusters only as ordinary 'adjusters'; there is no distinct public adjuster license

Maine in the reference tables

Each table answers one question for all 50 states and DC, with the citation. Open one and find the Maine row.

See how a claim runs in Maine, stage by stage Associations covering Maine

Maine law in the library

49 primary-source documents for Maine: statutes, regulations, bulletins and consumer guides, stored as published. Sign in to open them.

  • 02-031 C.M.R. Chapter 960: Hurricane Deductibles Maine
  • 02-031 C.M.R. ch. 355 — Rules of Practice and Procedure Governing Adjudicatory Proceedings Held Under the Maine Property and Automobile Insurance Cancellation Control Acts Maine Bureau of Insurance
  • Title 24-A, Chapter 16: §1402 Definitions and Subchapter 6, Adjusters — §§1471–1477 Maine Legislature
  • Title 24-A, Chapter 23: Unfair Trade Practices — §§2152, 2165-A Maine Legislature
  • Title 24-A, Chapter 41: Property Insurance Contracts — §§3004-A, 3041, 3042, 3061 Maine Legislature
  • Title 24-A, §12-A: Civil penalties Maine Legislature
  • Title 24-A, §1476: Activities of insurance adjusters Maine
  • Title 24-A, §2164-D: Unfair claims practices Maine Legislature