Which adjuster license types does Iowa Code chapter 522C establish?
A. Public adjuster and independent adjuster licenses, with staff adjusters generally exempt from licensure
B. A single unified adjuster license covering public, independent, and staff adjusters alike
C. Only a public adjuster license; independent adjusters need no state license
D. Only a staff adjuster license; public and independent adjusters are regulated solely by contract
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: A. Public adjuster and independent adjuster licenses, with staff adjusters generally exempt from licensure
Correct. Iowa Code chapter 522C, 'Licensing of Adjusters,' governs public and independent adjuster licensure. Section 522C.3 exempts staff adjusters (employees whose primary duty is adjusting claims for a single insurer) from the licensing requirement, though they must still comply with other chapter provisions.
- B: Incorrect. Iowa does not fold staff adjusters into the same mandatory license as public and independent adjusters; staff adjusters are exempted under 522C.3.
- C: Incorrect. Independent adjusters are expressly covered and must be licensed under chapter 522C, alongside public adjusters.
- D: Incorrect. Iowa does not require a distinct staff adjuster license; staff adjusters are the exempted category, not the licensed one.
Source: Iowa Code ch. 522C
A property and casualty insurer hires an in-house employee whose sole job duty is investigating and settling claims for that one company. Under Iowa Code section 522C.3, what is this employee's licensing status?
A. Required to hold a producer license with a casualty line of authority
B. Exempt from adjuster licensure as a staff adjuster, but still subject to the chapter's other applicable provisions
C. Required to hold a public adjuster license because compensation is involved
D. Required to hold an independent adjuster license because the person adjusts insurance claims
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: B. Exempt from adjuster licensure as a staff adjuster, but still subject to the chapter's other applicable provisions
Correct. Section 522C.3 exempts a staff adjuster, an employee of a single insurer whose primary duty is adjusting that insurer's claims, from the licensing requirement, while still holding that person to other applicable chapter 522C provisions (other than 522C.7).
- A: Incorrect. A producer license authorizes selling and soliciting insurance policies; it does not authorize or substitute for claims adjusting.
- C: Incorrect. A public adjuster license is for a person hired by and representing the insured against the insurer, not a company employee working for the insurer's own interest.
- D: Incorrect. Independent adjuster licensure applies to adjusters who contract to handle claims for multiple insurers, not a single insurer's direct employee, who is exempt under 522C.3.
Source: Iowa Code § 522C.3
Effective April 9, 2026, Iowa added a new adjuster licensing exemption. Which of these best describes it?
A. An exemption for out-of-state adjusters who hold a license in any other state
B. An exemption eliminating the surety bond requirement for all public adjusters
C. An exemption for a producer already licensed under Iowa Code chapter 522B who is appointed by, and granted claim authority from, an insurer or self-insurer
D. An exemption for any person who adjusts fewer than ten claims per year regardless of employer
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: C. An exemption for a producer already licensed under Iowa Code chapter 522B who is appointed by, and granted claim authority from, an insurer or self-insurer
Correct. The 2026 Iowa Acts amendment adds an exemption for a producer licensed under chapter 522B who is appointed by and granted claim authority by an insurer or self-insurer, recognizing that some licensed producers also perform adjusting duties for their appointing carrier.
- A: Incorrect. Nonresident adjusters must still obtain an Iowa nonresident adjuster license (subject to reciprocity rules); holding another state's license alone does not exempt them from Iowa licensure.
- B: Incorrect. The 2026 amendment addresses a licensing exemption category, not the surety bond/financial responsibility requirement under SF 619, which continues to apply to public and independent adjusters.
- D: Incorrect. Iowa's adjuster exemptions are not based on claim volume thresholds; they turn on the person's role (staff adjuster, attorney, fact-gatherer, or now an appointed 522B producer).
Source: 2026 Iowa Acts (effective April 9, 2026), amending Iowa Code ch. 522C
An applicant for an Iowa resident public adjuster license takes the required licensing exam through Pearson VUE. What is the minimum passing score?
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: D. 70%
Correct. The Iowa public adjuster examination, delivered through Pearson VUE (50 scoreable questions, one hour), requires a minimum score of 70% to pass.
- A: Incorrect. 50% is below Iowa's published passing threshold for the adjuster exam; the actual cutoff is 70%.
- B: Incorrect. 85% overstates the passing standard; Iowa does not require that high a score to pass the adjuster licensing exam.
- C: Incorrect. 60% is close but not the figure Iowa Insurance Division and its testing vendor publish; the correct passing score is 70%.
Source: Iowa Insurance Division, Adjusters licensing page (iid.iowa.gov)
How long are Iowa adjuster licensing exam results valid before the applicant must file a license application?
A. 90 days
B. 30 days
C. 1 year
D. 6 months
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: A. 90 days
Correct. Iowa adjuster exam results remain valid for 90 days, during which the applicant must submit the license application through the NIPR online system.
- B: Incorrect. 30 days is shorter than Iowa's actual exam-validity window of 90 days.
- C: Incorrect. Iowa does not give a full year of validity after passing the exam; the window is 90 days.
- D: Incorrect. Six months exceeds Iowa's published 90-day validity period for exam results.
Source: Iowa Insurance Division, Adjusters licensing page (iid.iowa.gov)
