Commercial lines producers looking to accelerate their readiness for client-facing work have a new option following the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance’s launch of the Certified Insurance & Risk Professional (CIRP) designation, a five-course credential focused on technical coverage knowledge, risk management and sales communication.
The alliance said CIRP was developed with input from agency owners, sales leaders and education managers nationwide, with the goal of providing producers with foundational expertise to identify exposures, close coverage gaps and lead client relationships. The program is available either through Corporate Education Solutions for agency group training or through open enrollment for individuals.
“Agency Owners, sales and education managers told us loud and clear what their producers were missing,” said William J. Hold, CRM, CISR, president and CEO of the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance. “CIRP gives producers the technical and sales foundation and the confidence they need to step into client leadership roles faster and with greater impact.”
To earn the designation, participants must complete five self-paced online courses: Commercial Casualty I, Commercial Casualty II, Elements of Risk Management, Insuring Commercial Property and Dynamics of Selling for CIRP. The alliance described CIRP as a commercial lines-focused program intended for producers working with business clients, combining four technical courses with a required sales course.
Courses are accessible 24/7 through a computer, tablet or cell phone, with a 120-day period to complete each course. The alliance said the learning format allows participants to stop and resume sessions while keeping progress saved. Coursework includes interactive “Knowledge Check” exercises, self-quizzes and final exams delivered through an online learning portal.
For designation credit, participants must complete a one-hour proctored final exam. The technical courses each include a 50-question exam, while Dynamics of Selling for CIRP includes a 30-question exam. The alliance said final exams are accessed through the learning portal and, when earning the designation or requesting continuing education credit, exams must be taken with a qualified proctor. Both the participant and proctor must complete required affidavit forms. If a participant’s resident state has special proctor requirements, those rules apply; otherwise, a disinterested third party is required.
CIRP designees must complete an approved annual eight-hour update to maintain the credential. The update must be completed by the end of the participant’s birth month each year. Most CIRP courses are nationally approved for state CE credit, except Dynamics of Selling for CIRP.
