Let's Talk About the CIC Designation

Contributed by The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research

The Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation is the nationally recognized and highly respected insurance professional designation. It shows that you are one of the best educated insurance professionals serving your clients and the industry.

Earning a CIC benefits your career in many ways. Your knowledge and expertise about the industry, including changes and current risk management issues will be constantly up to date. The CIC designation is a sign of credibility and expertise that sets you apart from others in the industry. And the skills and knowledge that you gain from any of the CIC courses can be used immediately in your insurance practice to benefit your organization and your clients.

What are the requirements to earn the CIC?

While there are no prerequisites to earn the CIC, the program is recommended for insurance professionals with at least two years of full-time insurance or risk management experience. To earn the CIC, participants must successfully complete five CIC courses and pass five exams within five calendar years. Participants also must score 70% or better on a two-hour, essay-style exam.

The CIC courses include Agency Management, Commercial Casualty, Commercial Multiline, Commercial Property, Personal Lines, Life & Health, and Insurance Company Operations.

The CIC designation must be updated every year to remain current.

What are examples of the insurance-specific material in the CIC courses?

CIC courses cover a variety of important insurance policies that are the cornerstone of insurance protection for families and businesses. Examples include businessowners package (BOP), commercial general liability (CGL), business auto policy (BAP), workers’ compensation, employer’s liability, builder’s risk, cyber insurance, commercial property, excess liability and umbrella, homeowners, personal auto policy (PAP), life and annuity policies, and various key endorsements and riders.

What else will you learn in CIC courses?

Additional CIC courses aimed at insurance companies or agency managers include Agency Management and Insurance Company Operations. Agency Management covers what it takes to operate an agency and includes key topics such as strategic planning, talent management, technology, client acquisition and retention, and ethics. The Insurance Company Operations course covers vital topics including strategic planning, product development, underwriting, meeting compliance standards and regulatory requirements, marketing, and policyholder services.

Are you ready to get started?

In partnership with The National Alliance, IA&B brings you educational programs like the CIC program. If you are interested in learning more, contact the IA&B Education Team at 800-998-9644, option 1 or education@IABforME.com. Or go to IABforME.com/CIC

For over five decades, The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research has set the standard for quality, practical continuing education for insurance and risk management practitioners. For more information, go to SCIC.com.

Hear from a CIC Education Consultant

IA&B Instructor and CIC Education Consultant Dan Lawyer offers advice for approaching the CIC coursework.

“In my humble opinion, the decision to pursue the CIC designation should focus on other people, not yourself. In other words, ask yourself, ‘How can I better serve my clients?’ or ‘How can I do my job to the best of my ability?’ The CIC curriculum will give you the knowledge and tools to attain that goal. Even if you stumble along the way, you will still be in a better position to help others.

If you earn some additional commissions or get a new promotion or some newfound respect from your peers along the way, then that’s just a little bonus for your efforts.”

- Dan Lawyer, CIC, CPCU | Education Consultant

Hear from CIC Designees

Two IA&B members – each of whom received an IA&B insurance education scholarship for the CIC designation – share why they value the CIC program.

“Obtaining my CIC designation is a commitment I made to and for my clients. In an industry where things constantly change and evolve, growing in knowledge is vital. Being a part of the CIC program brings like-minded peers together to learn from each other and be better for clients.”

- Kimberly Altland, CIC AAdvantage Insurance Group | York, PA

“I’m not a big ‘letters behind your name’ type of guy, but I value my CIC designation because I made the most out of each class I attended…. By taking on each course with vigor, I walked away with some of the best insurance education out there. To me, the designation’s immense value isn’t in the letters ‘CIC’ – it’s in the knowledge, confidence, and relationships I gained throughout the process. It’s that knowledge and confidence that gives essence to a higher standard of service and professionalism in my work.”

- Shayne McIntosh, CIC JPI Insurance Associates Inc. | Dillsburg, PA