The Illinois public adjuster exam is 100 multiple-choice questions, taken in person at a Pearson VUE testing center, and you need 70% to pass. The material is insurance law and claims practice, not roofing or restoration, which is why field experience alone rarely gets people through it.
The Exam at a Glance
| Questions | 100, multiple choice |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 70% |
| Format | In person at a Pearson VUE testing center |
| Exam fee | $92 (includes a $50 state administrative fee) |
| Regulator | Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) |
Verified with IDOI as of 2026. Illinois moved public adjuster testing to in person only in early 2025.
What Is on the Exam
The exam is built around the knowledge a public adjuster actually uses. Expect questions on:
- Insurance law and regulation that governs adjusters and claims in Illinois
- Policy provisions and coverage, including how policies are read and applied
- The claims and adjusting process, from first notice of loss to settlement
- Ethics and the duties a public adjuster owes to the policyholder
Why People Fail It
The people who struggle are usually experienced in the field but new to insurance theory. The most common traps:
- Treating it like a trade test when it is really an insurance-law test
- Studying broadly instead of studying what is actually tested
- Underestimating the policy and legal terminology, which is dense and unfamiliar
- Walking in without timed practice on the exam format
How to Prepare Efficiently
- Study the law and policy material first. That is where most points are won or lost, so front-load it.
- Use practice questions to find your gaps. Treat each one as a diagnostic and study your weak areas, not everything.
- Practice under time. Get comfortable with 100 questions at exam pace before test day.
- Learn from someone who knows the exam. A focused course tells you exactly what to study so you are not guessing.
Illinois’ first PA prep course, since 2012. We teach to the test so you pass the first time.
Register For A Class →Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the Illinois public adjuster exam?
100 multiple-choice questions, and you need 70% to pass.
Where do I take the exam?
In person at a Pearson VUE testing center. Illinois moved public adjuster testing to in person only in early 2025.
How much is the exam fee?
$92, which includes a $50 state administrative fee.
Can I retake it if I fail?
Yes, but you pay the fee again each time and lose weeks you could have been working licensed. That is why first-try prep is worth it.
Can you help me pass?
Yes. Our prep course teaches to the test, and we can even handle the licensing paperwork after you pass. Call (773) 635-0099.
The Bottom Line
The Illinois public adjuster exam is passable, but it is an insurance-law test, not a trade test. Know the format, study the law and policy material, practice under time, and prepare with people who know the exam. That is the fastest, surest way to pass the first time.
Next: how to become a public adjuster, the requirements and cost, or our PA prep course.
Pass the PA Exam the First Time
Illinois' first PA prep course, since 2012. We tell you what to study so you walk in ready.