Education · 1 of 4

The path

Hire first, train on the job. A licence only if you go independent.

1. 1

   High school

   Grade 12

   Required. English, law and business courses help.

2. 2

   Diploma or degree (optional)

   0 to 4 years

   Business, insurance, or anything that shows you can write and reason. Job Bank lists it as one route; several years of claims or insurance experience is the other.

3. 3

   Get hired

   Right away

   Insurance companies hire trainee adjusters and claims reps in large numbers, often straight from school or from customer service jobs.

4. 4

   Learn on the job

   2 to 4 years

   Start with simple auto and property claims, move up to bigger losses as you prove yourself. Job Bank says several years of on-the-job training plus industry courses are required.

5. 5

   Licence if you go independent

   Weeks of study

   Independent adjusters need a licence from their province's insurance regulator. The Insurance Institute runs licensing programs in every province.