Arizona Creates a Limited Time Staff Adjuster Licensing Option

Beginning September 12, 2026, Arizona will add the Staff Adjuster Line of Authority to its Adjuster License Class. The change provides a temporary licensing opportunity for certain applicants who meet specific residency and prior licensing requirements. Arizona considers a Designated Home State license to be a non-resident license, which is an important distinction when determining eligibility. The Staff Adjuster license is optional, is only available for a limited time, and does not apply to every adjuster license type.

A New Option with Specific Eligibility Requirements

Arizona is introducing a temporary option for certain adjusters who want to obtain a Staff Adjuster license.

Effective September 12, 2026, the Staff Adjuster Line of Authority will be added to Arizona’s Adjuster License Class. The license is optional, meaning it does not replace Arizona’s existing exemptions that may allow certain staff adjusters to operate without an Arizona license.

Instead, this change creates another licensing pathway for individuals who meet specific requirements.

One important point for licensing teams to understand is how Arizona treats a Designated Home State, or DHS, license. For purposes of this process, Arizona considers a DHS license to be a non-resident license. That distinction matters when reviewing an individual’s licensing history and determining whether they qualify for the examination alternative.

Who May Qualify Without the Arizona Exam?

The opportunity to obtain the Staff Adjuster license without taking the Arizona adjuster examination is limited to applicants who meet specific historical requirements.

The applicant must have:

• Been an Arizona resident before January 1, 2026
• Held an active DHS license in another state before January 1, 2026
• Qualified for that DHS license by passing a state approved examination

Applicants must also submit the application, pay the required fee, and complete fingerprinting by June 30, 2027.

These dates are important because this is not a permanent licensing change. It is a limited time opportunity, and organizations should not assume the option will remain available after the application period ends.

Not Every Adjuster License Type Is Included

Another important consideration is that the Staff Adjuster license is not available for every adjuster license type.

That means organizations should not assume that an adjuster who meets the residency and licensing history requirements automatically qualifies for this license. The type of adjuster authority being sought must also be considered.

Applicants who do not qualify for the examination alternative may still be able to obtain the Adjuster Line of Authority by completing the Arizona adjuster examination, provided they meet the applicable requirements.

What Licensing Teams Should Do

For organizations managing adjuster licensing, take this opportunity to review existing records and identify individuals who may qualify.

Start by looking at residency history, prior DHS licensing, the examination used to obtain that license, and the type of adjuster authority involved.

Because the opportunity has a defined application deadline, waiting too long could eliminate the benefit of the examination alternative.

Avoid relying on assumptions when determining eligibility. Arizona has indicated that questions about this licensing option should be directed to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, Insurance Licensing Division.

Summary

Arizona’s addition of the Staff Adjuster Line of Authority creates a temporary licensing opportunity for a specific group of applicants.

The option becomes effective September 12, 2026, but it is not available to all adjuster license types and will only be available for a limited time. Certain applicants may qualify without taking the Arizona adjuster examination if they meet the required residency and prior DHS licensing conditions.

Arizona considers a DHS license a non-resident license for this purpose, making the applicant’s licensing history especially important when determining eligibility.

For questions about whether an individual qualifies or which license types are included, organizations should contact Arizona DIFI directly rather than relying on assumptions or applying an incorrect licensing pathway.

When a licensing opportunity is temporary and eligibility is limited, understanding the details early can prevent unnecessary delays later.

Arizona DIFI Insurance Licensing: insurancelicensing@difi.az.gov, (602) 364-3100.

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