N.M. Admin. Code § 13.4.8.12

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 21, November 5, 2024

Section 13.4.8.12 - EXAMINATION OF APPLICANTS

A.Examinations required. An individual applying for a license as an adjuster shall, prior to issuance of a license, personally take and pass a written examination. The examination required by this section shall be of sufficient scope to reasonably test the applicant's:

(1) knowledge, experience or training relating to the assessment of:

(a) real and personal property values; and

(b) physical loss of or damage to real or personal property that may be the subject of insurance and claims under insurance;

(2) knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of an adjuster holding the type of adjuster's license applied for as set forth by law and regulation in this state, including ethical and fair trade practices;

(3) knowledge of basic insurance theory, the essential elements of contracts, and claims, and ethics terms and effects of the types of insurance contracts that provide coverage on real and personal property;

(4) knowledge and experience adequate to enable an adjuster holding the type of adjuster's license applied for to engage in the business as an adjuster fairly and without injury to the public or any member of the public with whom the applicant may have business as an adjuster; and

(5) technical competence in the handling of the types of claims for which the applicant is being tested.

B.Examination exemptions.

(1) Examination is not required for an individual who was licensed in this state as an adjuster prior to July 1, 2017, unless the license is allowed to lapse or is terminated for any reason, as set forth in Subsection D of 13.4.8.9 NMAC.

(2) Examination is not required for applicants who have taken and passed a similar examination and received the same type of adjuster's license in a state in which the reciprocal provisions of Section 59A-5-33 NMSA 1978 apply; and

(a) the license in the other state is current, or

(b) the application is received within 90 days after cancellation of the previous license. If the license has been canceled, then the following is required:

(i) a certification from the reciprocal state that at the time of cancellation the applicant was in good standing in that state; or

(ii) records maintained by the NAIC indicate that the adjuster is or was licensed in good standing for the type of license applied for.

(3) Reexamination is not required for renewal or continuance of resident or designated home state licenses, unless ordered by the superintendent.

(4) Reexamination is not required for resident applicants who have been licensed in this state within the year prior to the date of the new application and who seek to be relicensed for the same types of adjuster's license. This exemption does not apply if the previous license was suspended, revoked or terminated, if continuation of the license was refused by the superintendent or if the applicant did not previously take and pass an exam in this state.

(5) Examination is not required for a nonresident applicant who is licensed by designating a home state other than the state of residence, if the state of licensure requires the passing of a written examination in order to obtain the license and is a reciprocal state.

(6) Examination is not required for an applicant currently licensed as an adjuster in another state who moves to this state and applies to become a resident insurance adjuster within 90 days of establishing legal residence. For such applicants, the examination requirement is waived as to licensure for the type of adjuster's license previously held in the prior state, unless otherwise determined by the superintendent.

C.Examination fee. Each individual applying for an examination shall remit a nonrefundable fee as set forth in Section 59A-6-1 NMSA 1978.

D.Administration of exams. The superintendent may contract with an outside testing service for administering examinations and collecting the nonrefundable fee.

E.Failure to appear. An individual who fails to appear for an examination as scheduled or fails to pass the examination shall reapply for an examination and remit all required fees and forms before being rescheduled for another examination.

N.M. Admin. Code § 13.4.8.12

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXX, Issue 11, June 11, 2019, eff. 7/1/2019