What's happening
This bill waives certain licensing and exam requirements for independent insurance adjusters who hold approved claims certifications from recognized associations.
Why it matters
Streamlines the licensing process for experienced adjusters. By waiving the standard community endorsement and state exam requirements for those holding rigorous, approved certifications, the bill could shorten the time and administrative hurdles to becoming an independent adjuster in New York.
Recognizes and elevates industry certifications. The law places value on professional certifications from recognized national or state-based claims associations, provided these programs meet strict criteria for coursework, proctored exams, and continuing education—potentially encouraging higher industry standards.
Could expand the pool of qualified adjusters. By reducing redundant requirements for already-certified professionals, the bill may help meet demand for adjusters more quickly, especially after disasters when timely claims processing is critical for affected individuals and businesses.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Eases Adjuster Licensing Rules
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to insurance
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to insurance
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.986
- Referred to insurance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ease Insurance Adjuster Licensing
In Assembly Committee · Insurance · Sponsor Latoya Joyner
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3636
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 11, 2019
Introduced by Sens. BRESLIN, SEWARD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to licensing of independent adjusters
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph 5 of subsection (d) of section 2108 of the insurance law is amended to read as follows:
(5) Such application shall be approved, as to each person or individual so signing the same, by not less than five reputable citizens of the community in which such applicant resides or transacts business, each of whom shall certify that he has personally known the person or individual for a period of at least five years prior to the filing of such application, that he has read such application and believes each of the statements made therein to be true, that such person is honest, of good character and competent, and not related or connected to the person so certifying by blood or marriage. The certificate of approval shall be subscribed by such reputable citizens and affirmed by them as true under the penalties of perjury. This requirement shall be waived for individuals holding a claims certification issued by a national or state-based claims association with a certification program that consists of at least forty hours of pre-exam coursework, a proctored examination of sufficient length to adequately determine the competency of the individual, and twenty-four hours of continuing education required for certification renewals, subject to the approval of the superintendent.
§ 2. Paragraph 1 of subsection (f) of section 2108 of the insurance law is amended to read as follows:
(1) The superintendent shall, in order to determine the trustworthiness and competency to act as an independent adjuster of each individual applicant for such license, and of each proposed sub-licensee, except in the case of a renewal license, require every such individual to take and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00493-01-9
S. 3636 2
pass, to the satisfaction of the superintendent, a personal written examination. The superintendent may prescribe the types of written examinations according to the kind or kinds of insurance claims [which] that the applicant is to be licensed to investigate and adjust. The exam requirement shall be waived for individuals holding a claims certification issued by a national or state-based claims association with a certification program that consists of at least forty hours of pre-exam coursework, a proctored exam of sufficient length to adequately determine the competency of the individual, and twenty-four hours of continuing education required for certification renewals on a biennial basis, subject to the approval of the superintendent.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to licensing of independent adjusters
Purpose
This bill intends to streamline the licensing of independent insurance adjusters. It does so by:
*Waiving the requirement for an independent adjuster applicant to submit at least five character references if the applicant holds a claims certification issued by a national or state-based claims association with certification programs that meet minimum standards; and
* Waiving the requirement for each individual applicant to take and pass a personal written examination so long as the applicant holds a claims certification issued by a national or state-based claims association with certification programs that meet minimum standards.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph 5 of subsection (d) of section 2108 of the insurance law to waive the requirement for an independent adjuster applicant to submit at least five character references to the Department of Financial Services so long as he or she holds a claims certification issued by a national or state-based claims association with certif- ication programs that meet minimum standards.
Sections 2 amends paragraph 1 of subsection (f) of section 2108 of the insurance law to waive the requirement for an independent adjuster applicant to take and pass a personal written examination so long as he or she holds a claims certification issued by a national or state-based claims association with certification programs that meet minimum stand- ards.
Justification
With the increase of natural disasters impacting New York State, it is critical that the insurance industry and consumers have access to quali- fied independent adjusters. The current process for licensure in this state is burdensome and timely for all those involved. Many independent adjusters do business in multiple states and the process of seeking upwards of 20 different state licenses is a barrier to entry that ulti- mately hurts consumers. This legislation would streamline the licensing process for individuals who have completed a certification course offered by a nationally recognized claims association. These certif- ication courses hold participants to the highest standards. This bill will help attract and retain the highest quality adjusters to do busi- ness in New York.
Legislative history
S6954a of 2017-18
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.