(a)(1) Every individual subject to the examination required in subsection (b) shall first complete a prelicensing course consisting of 20 classroom hours per line of authority, or equivalent individual instruction.

(2) The prelicensing course shall have been completed within 12 months before the date of the related examination as shown on the certificate furnished by the prelicensing course provider.

(3) Every prelicensing course provider shall apply annually for the continued authority to issue certificates of completion under rules to be prescribed by the commissioner.

(4) At the time of initial approval and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall collect from each prelicensing course provider a fee set by the commissioner not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100). The fee shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the Insurance Department Fund. Public institutions shall be exempt from paying the fee, but shall otherwise be subject to the rules applicable to other providers.

(b)(1) An individual intending to apply for an independent adjuster license shall pass a written examination unless exempt pursuant to Section 27-9A-9.

(2) The examination shall test the knowledge of the individual concerning the lines of authority for which application is made, the duties and responsibilities of an independent adjuster, and the insurance laws and regulations of this state. Examinations required by this section shall be developed and conducted under rules prescribed by the commissioner.

(3) Each individual applying for an examination shall furnish a certificate of completion of the prelicensing course from an authorized prelicensing course provider and pay a non-refundable fee prescribed by the commissioner as set forth in Section 27-4-2.

(4) The commissioner may make arrangements, including contracting with an outside testing service, for administering examinations and collecting the nonrefundable fee set forth in Section 27-4-2.

(5) An individual who fails to appear for the 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.

(6) No individual who has taken and failed to pass two examinations given pursuant to this section for a particular line of insurance shall be entitled to take any further examination for that line of insurance until after the expiration of three months from the date of the last examination which the individual failed to pass. If the individual fails to pass the examination after two more attempts, the individual shall not be eligible to take any further examination for that line of insurance until after the expiration of six months from the date of the last unsuccessful examination. An examination fee shall be paid for each and every examination.