Maryland Public Adjuster Reciprocity Requires Extra Attention

Reciprocity can make non-resident licensing easier, but it is not universal. In Maryland, Public Adjuster licenses have specific requirements that multi-state licensing teams need to understand.

The Maryland Insurance Administration maintains a list of jurisdictions whose public adjuster licenses are not reciprocal with Maryland. Applicants from these jurisdictions must meet Maryland’s resident licensing requirements, including passing the Maryland Public Adjuster examination. Existing licensees must also comply with Maryland’s continuing education requirements when preparing for renewal.

Not Every Public Adjuster License Qualifies for Reciprocity

Maryland generally issues non-resident Public Adjuster licenses on a reciprocal basis when the applicant has a resident license and that state has reciprocal arrangements with Maryland residents.

The Maryland Insurance Administration’s list includes, but is not limited to, the following jurisdictions that do not have reciprocal Public Adjuster licensing: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Applicants from these jurisdictions must meet Maryland’s resident licensing requirements rather than relying on reciprocity. An active Public Adjuster license in another state does not automatically mean the applicant qualifies for Maryland’s standard non-resident licensing process.

For licensing teams, verifying the applicant’s resident state before beginning the application can help identify additional requirements early and prevent unnecessary delays.

Examination Requirements Can Change the Process

For applicants from Maryland’s listed nonreciprocal jurisdictions, obtaining a license involves more than submitting a non-resident application based on an existing home state license.

Applicants must meet Maryland’s resident Public Adjuster licensing requirements, including passing the Maryland Public Adjuster examination.

This distinction can affect application preparation, scheduling, and the time needed to complete the licensing process. Teams should identify these requirements before applying and communicate the additional steps to the applicant.

Maryland Continuing Education Requirements for Public Adjusters

Initial licensing is only part of the process. Continuing education is another important consideration for Public Adjusters with a Maryland license.

Maryland requires resident Public Adjusters to complete 24 hours of continuing education per renewal period, including 3 hours of ethics. The required hours may be completed through approved Property and Casualty or Public Adjuster courses, or a combination of the two categories.

The Maryland Insurance Administration also specifically states that Public Adjusters from its listed nonreciprocal jurisdictions must complete Maryland continuing education requirements to renew their licenses.

Licensing teams should not assume that completing continuing education in the adjuster’s resident state automatically satisfies Maryland’s requirements. These licensees need to account for Maryland’s CE obligations in their renewal planning and should continue to monitor applicable home state requirements as well.

Maryland’s CE provider is Prometric. Licensees can review their CE transcripts and approved courses through the Maryland state website. Public Adjusters should complete the required education with enough time for the credits to be reported and reflected in their records before renewal.

New Application Validations

A new Maryland validation change has been identified for non-resident Public Adjuster applications beginning October 10, 2026. The change adds validation based on the applicant’s resident jurisdiction.

Licensing teams should check the applicant’s home state before submitting a Maryland Public Adjuster application. A transaction that appears eligible for standard non-resident processing may require additional review or a different licensing path.

What Licensing Teams Should Review

This is a good opportunity to review Maryland Public Adjuster requirements for the licensing and renewal process.

Licensing teams should:

• Confirm the applicant’s resident state before submitting a Maryland application.
• Check Maryland’s reciprocity requirements for non-resident applications.
• Identify applicants who must pass the Maryland Public Adjuster examination.
• Track Maryland CE requirements for Public Adjusters from nonreciprocal jurisdictions.
• Confirm that CE credits are reported and reflected in the licensee’s record before renewal.
• Verify the final jurisdiction list and implementation details for the October 10 validation change.

State licensing requirements can affect renewal planning, education tracking, and ongoing compliance responsibilities. Making requirements visible helps licensing teams manage the full licensing lifecycle, rather than just the initial license approval.

Summary

Maryland’s Public Adjuster licensing requirements demonstrate why reciprocity should always be verified rather than assumed. Applicants from the state’s listed nonreciprocal jurisdictions must meet Maryland’s resident licensing requirements, including the examination, and must complete Maryland continuing education requirements to renew. Resident Public Adjusters are required to complete 24 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics, per renewal period. Licensing teams should review both initial licensing and renewal procedures. Then, confirm the final jurisdiction list associated with the expected October 10, 2026, validation change.

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