Professional Designations

Certified Insurance Service Representative

An inspiring professional faculty, nine ONE-DAY courses to choose from, current curriculum, and practical applications - all these features make the CISR Program a truly superior education opportunity.

Each of the nine courses is approved for 7 Wisconsin CE credits.

To earn the CISR designation, you must complete any five of the nine courses and pass the five exams within three years.

The 1-hour multiple choice exam is taken virtually. The exam window opens at the conclusion of the course and closes at 11:59 p.m. on the Thursday of the following week.

The Nine CISR Courses

• Commercial Casualty 1 / Essentials of Legal Liability, CGL, Additional Insureds
• Commercial Casualty 2 / Business Auto, Workers Compensation, Excess Liability
• Commercial Property / Property, Time Element, Commercial Inland Marine
• Personal Residential / Homeowners
• Personal Auto
• Life & Health Essentials / Concepts
• Elements of Risk Management / The Risk Management Process & Concepts
• Other Personal Lines Solutions
• Agency Operation

CISR Elite

Your CISR designation signifies your ongoing commitment to professionalism—bringing you well-deserved recognition. You earned the CISR designation by successfully completing five of the nine CISR courses. What’s next for your career and educational learning path? CISR Elite takes you to the next level!

Choose to attend the four remaining CISR courses and pass the corresponding exams to earn your CISR Elite designation.

CISR Updates

To keep your designation, update at an approved course each year.

• One of the nine CISR Courses
• Eight hours at a Ruble Seminar.
• Attending a full two-day CIC Institute or Ruble Seminar gives two years of update credit.

2026 CISR Schedule

Certified Professional Insurance Agent

The CPIA designation is first-of-its-kind, hands-on, how-to training. To earn the CPIA designation candidates are required to participate in a series of three, one-day seminars - NO EXAMS! Completion is due three years from the first course.

These seminars are designed to enhance the ability of producers, sales support staff, and company personnel to efficiently create and distribute effective insurance programs. Participants leave with ideas that will produce sales results immediately.

Each Seminar is approved for 7 Wisconsin CE (webinars include 2 ethics of the 7) and is Utica approved!

While not a requirement, it is recommended that courses are taken in order.

CPIA 1 – Position for Success

This seminar emphasizes the fundamental elements of effective insurance sales. Participants learn how to proactively position themselves in the marketplace by leveraging proven prospecting techniques, developing a targeted marketing plan, and mastering the process of identifying and qualifying leads. The curriculum covers goal setting, managing a productive sales pipeline, and establishing measurable benchmarks for success.

CPIA 2 – Implement for Success

Moving beyond prospecting, this seminar dives into the consultative sales process. Attendees gain hands-on experience in conducting needs assessments, engaging in effective fact-finding, and crafting tailored insurance proposals. The seminar introduces strategies for building rapport, handling objections, delivering compelling presentations, and ensuring transparent communication. Emphasis is placed on active listening and adapting solutions to meet the unique needs of each client.

CPIA 3 – Sustain Success

This seminar focuses on maintaining and deepening client relationships for long-term growth. Key concepts include the development of retention strategies, the implementation of service standards that foster trust, and techniques for generating referrals. Participants are equipped with tools to analyze agency workflows, implement E&O (Errors & Omissions) loss control procedures, and create a culture of continuous improvement and ethical business practice.

An Agent's Guide to Understanding and Mitigating Cyber Exposures

Cyber-attacks are inevitable—but devastating losses aren't. This intensive Special Topic seminar transforms risk management professionals into cyber insurance experts who can build comprehensive digital protection strategies. Attendees will learn to master the critical differences between first-party and third-party cyber coverage while learning to identify dangerous gaps that leave organizations exposed. Through real-world case studies and hands-on analysis, participants will develop the skills to conduct thorough cyber risk assessments and recommend optimal insurance solutions tailored to each client's unique digital footprint.

Attendees will learn to:

- Navigate complex cyber policy forms and emerging coverage options

- Conduct advanced exposure analysis and risk quantification

- Position themselves as a trusted cyber insurance authority

Transform cyber insurance from compliance requirement to competitive advantage—ensuring your clients' digital assets and business continuity remain protected when threats strike.

Disaster and Continuity Planning for Business and Families

Disasters don't schedule appointments, but preparation can make all the difference between recovery and catastrophic loss. This high-impact Special Topic seminar transforms participants from reactive responders into proactive planners who can navigate any crisis with confidence. Through real-world case studies and hands-on exercises, attendees will master the art of building bulletproof continuity plans that protect both businesses and families. From assembling the perfect disaster response team to securing critical funding and navigating complex insurance landscapes, participants gain battle-tested strategies that work when it matters most. Plus, attendees will discover how to bridge the gap between corporate resilience and personal preparedness—because true risk management protects every aspect of clients' lives.

An E&O Loss Control Program for All Agencies

This dynamic Special Topic seminar equips managers and supervisors with proven strategies to launch powerful internal loss control programs that protect an agency's reputation and bottom line. Non-management professionals will walk away energized and equipped with a compelling roadmap to present to leadership—turning great ideas into actionable risk reduction initiatives. Whether you're leading the charge or driving change from within, you'll gain the tools to create a culture of proactive risk management that sets your organization apart. Don't wait for an E & O loss to happen—proactively prevent them!

CPIA Designation Update Requirement

The Certified Professional Insurance Agent designation stands for professionalism, commitment to professional training and results, and technical knowledge. To maintain the right
to use the CPIA designation, designees must complete an update on an annual basis * or maintain a Ruby, Sapphire or Diamond level membership with the CPIA Program.

* CPIA 1, CPIA 2, CPIA 3, Special Topics:

An Agent’s Guide to Understanding and Mitigating Cyber Exposures

Disaster and Continuity Planning for Business and Families

An E&O Loss Control Program for Agencies

Click Here for Upcoming CPIA Classes