Professional Designations
Earning a designation shows others in the industry you have taken the next step in your professional growth. Having a designation increases your industry knowledge, boosts your confidence, builds credibility with your customers and often increase your earnings, too!
Certified Insurance Counselor
Click Here for Upcoming CIC Classes
2026 CIC and Ruble FULL PDF Schedule
The CIC program is designed to meet the insurance professional's need for technical knowledge in all areas of the industry. The program provides an in-depth practical approach for both agency & company practitioners.
The program is made up of seven two-day institutes (16 hours) with the optional 2-hour exam taken online at Risk & Insurance Education Alliance exam portal. It opens the following Monday and closes at the end of Thursday. Pass five of the seven to earn the CIC designation.
Each of the seven institutes is approved for 16 WI CE. Agency Management includes 3 Ethics of the 16. The exam is optional and not required for state CE credit.
An individual must successfully complete five CIC examinations within five calendar years following the year the first exam was passed.
Successful completion of the five examinations earns the right to use the coveted CIC designation. Maintain the designation by attending one approved update option a year. Ruble Seminars are one option and only dues paid CICs, CRMs, CISRs, and CSRMs may attend.
Please visit your "PROfile" on Risk & Insurance Education Alliance website to download your documents and view your history.
A notebook in a pdf file will be available a week prior and electronic notetaking is allowed during the class. Complete details will be emailed a week prior.
Any CIC update is approved for the Utica Premium Discount.
Seven CIC Courses
Agency Management
Commercial Casualty
Commercial Multiline
Commercial Property
Personal Lines
Life & Health
Insurance Company Operations
CIC Updates
- 16- hour CIC institute OR 16-hour Ruble seminar
- Risk & Insurance Education Alliance dues must be up to date prior to registering for a Ruble classroom or webinar seminar
Tenured Status
- Once you have held your CIC designation for 25 years, you will be contacted by Risk & Insurance Education Alliance. They will give you the option of Alliance membership allowing for your update to be every two years instead of annually.
- A participant may apply for Tenured Status once they have held a designation for 25 years. To be granted Tenured Status, all of the following requirements must be met:
• Be current on all update requirements
• Pay annual designation dues
• Have held a designation for 25 years or be over the age of 70
Certified Insurance Service Representative
CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING CISR CLASSES
2026 CISR PDF FULL Schedule
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
- Commercial Casualty 2
- Commercial Property
- Personal Residential
- Personal Auto
- Life & Health Essentials
- Elements of Risk Management
- Other Personal Lines Solutions
- Agency Operations
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.
Certified Professional Insurance Agent
Click Here for Upcoming CPIA Classes
The CPIAÂ 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
