A certified insurance counselor (CIC) designation signifies advanced expertise in risk management and insurance. Awarded by The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, it requires completing a series of specialized courses, passing rigorous exams and meeting continuing education requirements to maintain the designation. The CIC designation is recognized within the insurance industry as a mark of professional competence, helping insurance agents, brokers and risk managers deepen their knowledge and stay updated on industry regulations and trends.
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What Is the CIC Designation?
The CIC designation is a professional credential that demonstrates specialized knowledge of insurance underwriting, risk assessment and client advisory services. It is designed for insurance professionals who want to deepen their expertise in areas such as life and health insurance, commercial property and casualty coverage and agency management.
Unlike entry-level insurance certifications, the CIC program emphasizes real-world applications and strategic decision-making. Earning the designation requires completing five in-depth courses and passing corresponding exams. To maintain the CIC status, designees must fulfill annual continuing education requirements, ensuring they stay informed about evolving regulations, market trends and best practices in risk management and insurance advisory services.
Becoming a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance administers the CIC designation. To earn the credential, you must complete five of seven courses within five calendar years, but it’s your choice which ones you complete.
Four of the five courses must be CIC courses. However, your fifth course can be either a Certified Risk Manager (CRM) or Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM) course. This fifth course can also count toward a CRM or CPRM certification. Each course includes two days’ worth of instruction and costs $430. In total, the credential costs $2,150.
You’ll need to pass all five exams within five years, but you can take them online or in person. Each course will teach you everything you need to know for the exam that follows it. Each exam is a one-hour proctored, closed-book exam. However, candidates must also earn a score of 70% or higher on a two-hour, essay-style exam.
The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance does not charge any additional fees for you to take the exam after each course. To maintain their CIC certification, insurance professionals must complete an annual course, which does not require an exam..
As mentioned earlier, each insurance professional is required to pass five of seven courses and exams. Below are the seven from which you can choose.
1. Personal Lines
The Personal Lines course focuses on the property casualty insurance industry. Topics covered relate to personal auto and personal residential, including policy coverages, exclusions and limitations. The course also covers how to respond to losses using personal umbrella or excess policies, with examples.
2. Commercial Casualty
This course focuses on giving students a detailed understanding of the coverage, exclusions and limitations of the Business Auto Policy (BAP), the Commercial General Liability Policy (CGL) and the Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability Insurance Policy (WC & EL Policy).
3. Commercial Property
The commercial property course teaches students about commercial property coverage and endorsements. Students will learn how to maximize coverage and manage commercial property risks.
4. Life and Health
This course teaches practical information related to life and annuity policies, health insurance, business life concepts and employee benefits.
5. Agency Management
The CIC Agency Management course teaches students how to apply management theories, methods and procedures that are necessary for operating a successful insurance agency. At the end of the class, students should be able to implement strategies designed to increase agency profitability.
6. Commercial Multiline
This course teaches students how to identify commercial inland marine, crime, cyber and employment practices exposures. The course will also help them learn about the types of coverage available to address those exposures as they develop insurance programs for their clients.
7. Insurance Company Operations
This course teaches decision-making strategies for the purpose of meeting compliance standards, product development, underwriting, processing claims, distributing and marketing, and other vital company functions, while satisfying regulatory requirements.
How Important Is the Certification?
The CIC designation is well-recognized in the insurance industry. If you are an agent, sales manager or someone who works with agents a lot, CIC will teach you what you need to know. This certification will also give you practical experience in terms of how insurance agencies actually operate. If you are an insurance agent, it’s a valuable designation.
Other Insurance Certifications
Beyond the CIC, there are several other certifications that insurance professionals may want to consider.
Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI)
You have to take three classes in order to earn the AAI designation: Foundations of Insurance Production, Multiple-Lines Insurance Production and Agency Operations and Sales Management. You can take it as a self-study program via printed textbooks and course guides, though it’s also offered in a seminar format by certain state insurance associations.
The AAI designation focuses on in-depth insurance product knowledge and customer service skills. It’s recommended that insurance agents, brokers, agency principals, producers, account managers and customer service representatives take this course. There is no annual update required to maintain the certification.
Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
Like the CIC, this is a highly respected certification in the insurance industry. However, this specifically focuses on the property and casualty insurance arena. Unlike the CIC, you have to have at least two years of acceptable experience in the insurance industry to enter the program for certification. The CIC focuses more on the practical application of insurance principles, while the CPCU takes a more theoretical approach.
To get the CPCU designation, you have to take four foundational courses, an elective class and three classes that focus on commercial or personal lines of coverage. You also have to pass the Ethical Guidelines for Insurance exam or finish the Foundations of Risk Management, insurance and professionalism material. CPCU also has an optional continuing professional development program.
Life and Annuity Certified Professional (LACP)
The life and annuity certified professional (LACP) designation is a credential for financial professionals specializing in life insurance and annuities. Administered by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), the designation highlights expertise in product knowledge, ethical practices, and client service.
To qualify, candidates must have at least three years of experience in life insurance or annuities, hold an active insurance license, and adhere to NAIFA’s ethical standards. Earning the LACP designation requires passing an exam covering product suitability, risk management and retirement planning. Designees must complete continuing education to maintain certification and stay informed on industry developments.
Bottom Line
The CIC is a highly respected certification that signifies an insurance agent’s practical, real-world education. It is one of the insurance industry’s most prized designations and can help professionals earn a higher income. It can also help demonstrate to clients that the agent is a trusted advisor, as they must complete an annual course to maintain certification. If you’re considering the CIC, do your research to make sure it’s the right move for your future in the insurance industry.
Tips for Expanding Your Advisory Business
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