CISR Q&A
What is the CISR Program?
The Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) designation program is a nationally recognized educational program directed at a very particular job description in the agency—the customer service representative. This program has been conducted in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware since 1988 and continues to grow with new participants each year!
The CISR designation program is a practical program, focusing on minimizing E&O claims and understanding and analysis of risks and exposures. The program consists of nine, one-day courses that are sure to raise the standards of customer service. CISR is an intermediate level program, therefore assuming some working knowledge of the applicable policies. To earn the CISR designation you must complete five courses and successfully pass the examination that follows each course within three calendar years following the year in which you pass your first exam. To keep the designation you must update each year with additional continuing education courses offered by Insurance Agents & Brokers. The CISR designation identifies individuals who are committed to continually striving for the highest standard of professional and personal growth!
Who is eligible to attend the CISR program?
Any employee of an agency, insurance company or insurance–related business, including agents and agency managers is eligible to attend CISR courses.
Who teaches the CISR Seminars?
The CISR program employs the talents of highly experienced and knowledgeable insurance practitioners. The faculty roster consists of well-qualified instructors, all considered experts in their field. The qualifications to become a CISR Faculty Member are rigorous; however, ensures that the faculty will remain participant-focused and outcome-oriented.
How is the CISR Program structured?
Five courses make up the CISR curriculum:
Agency Operations
Commercial Casualty I - NEW!
Commercial Casualty II - NEW!
Commercial Property
Elements of Risk Management - NEW!
Life & Health (available online only) - NEW!
Personal Auto Exposures
Personal Lines - Miscellaneous - NEW!
Personal Residential Property
Each course is one day, or 6 ½ hours of instruction. An optional examination (mandatory if earning the CISR designation) is administered at the end of each course. Courses can be taken in any order.
The topics for each course are carefully selected and developed around national standards applicable to all states. However, the program allows for flexibility to allow for each state’s adoption of unique insurance coverages and regulations. Below is a sample of topics for each segment:
Agency Operations
- Functions of the independent agency, including Automation in the Agency
- Agency Systems including Applications, Certificates of Insurance, Cancellations, Policy Issuance, Claims Processing, Billing, Binders and Renewals.
- Ethics and Legal Obligations
- Insuring Commercial Casualty
- Analysis of General Liability, Workers Compensation and Commercial Auto Policies Endorsements
- Qualifying the risk with specific questions and analyzing specific risk exposures.
Commercial Casualty I
- Essentials of Legal Liability
- CGL Introduction
- Commercial General Liability Coverage Parts
- CGL Other Provisions
- Additional Insured
Commercial Casualty II
- Business Auto Exposures and Coverages
- Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability Insurance Policies
- Commercial Umbrella and Excess Liability Policies
Commercial Property
- The essentials of Commercial Property Insurance
- Analysis of the coverage provided by the Commercial property Policy, including building and contents
- Endorsements to the Commercial Property Policy
- *This course is state-specific. It is recommended you attend the course in the state you write the most business.
Elements of Risk Management
- The Risk Management Process & Risk Terms
- Risk Identification
- Risk Analysis
- Risk Control
- Risk Finance
- Risk Administration
Life & Heatlh Essentials (available online only)
- Introduction of Life Insurance
- Term Insurance
- Permanent Life Insurance
- Health Insurance Concepts
- Regulation
- Consumer Driven Plans
Personal Auto Exposures
- Analysis of the coverage provided by the Personal Auto Policy
- Endorsement to the Personal Auto Policy, including no-fault and personal injury protection
- Analysis of personal Umbrella Coverages – What they are and who needs them!
- *This course is state-specific. It is recommended you attend the course in the state you write the most business.
Personal Lines - Miscellaneous
- Watercraft Exposures & Coverages
- Recreational Vehicles
- Business Activities of Personal Lines Clients
- Personal Umbrella / Excess Liability
Personal Residential Property
- Analysis of the coverage provided by your state’s Homeowners Policy and all major endorsements
- Comparison and contrast of the dwelling policies and Homeowners Policies
What benefits are there to attending a CISR Program?
- The one-day structure of the program allows you to gain maximum benefits with minimum time away from the office.
- The program helps to meet your state continuing education requirements.
- The course content is current, practical information that can be readily applied in daily use.
- You will learn new skills for cross selling and account rounding.
- The program and designation have national recognition within the insurance industry.
- CISR is a carefully structured, classroom-based continuing education program.
How should I start the CISR program?
There is not a special course order. If you are more familiar with one topic than another, you may want to begin there.
How do I earn the CISR Designation?
You must complete five courses and successfully pass the examinations that follow each course. Once you have done this, you will have earned the right to use the designation as indicated in your Congratulatory Packet from the National Alliance 2-4 days following the posting of your final pass letter to your MyPage. In addition, you will be eligible to attend special programs designed exclusively for CISR designees. Special conferment ceremonies are conducted annually to recognize those who have earned the designation.
Is there a time limit for earning the CISR Designation?
Yes. You must successfully complete the entire series of CISR examinations within three calendar years following your first examination.
Must I take an examination?
No. Anyone can attend courses without taking the examination. To earn the CISR designation, you must take and pass all five course exams. You will receive complete study materials when you arrive to each program. The materials will not be sent prior to the seminar. There is a study session prior to the examination.
If I fail an examination, may I continue the program?
Yes. You may repeat any course and retake the exam. You can also continue to attend any of the other courses.
Once I earn the CISR Designation, am I a CISR for life?
No. The insurance industry changes at a rapid pace. To remain current, it is necessary that you update your knowledge on a regular basis; therefore, you must attend at least one continuing education session annually to maintain your CISR designation. No further examination is required.
What are my options for the annual update requirement?
The following will satisfy your annual update requirement for the CISR designation:
- Attend any one of the nine CISR courses (no examination required)
- Attend any William T. Hold Seminar (topics change annually)
- Attend a Dynamics of Service seminar
- Attend any Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) Institute for one day and receive one year of update credit, or attend an entire CIC Institute (2 ½ days) for two years of update credit. If attending for only one-day you will not be eligible for continuing education credits.
- Attend any Certified Risk Manager (CRM) course and receive two years of update credit.
*Please contact the Society of CISR at 800-633-2165 for more information on becoming a member.
NOTE: When planning your annual update please keep in mind that you may not repeat a course in the same licensing period for CE credit. Credit will be granted only once per licensing period. In Maryland, courses must also be taken within six months of each other, even if taken in two different licensing periods. If you have a question whether a course is a duplicate or whether it has changed since you took it last, please contact IA&B's Member Service center at (800) 998-9644, extension 0.
Where can I attend the CISR programs?
Courses are offered several times in convenient locations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware through Insurance Agents & Brokers. Because this is a national program, you may attend and/or take the examination in any state you prefer. Please note some courses are state-specific. Contact the IA&B Member Service Center at (717) 795-9100 or register on line at www.iabgroup.com . For classes in other states, contact the Society of CISR at 800-633-2165 for a National Schedule.
Is the CISR Program recognized and approved for Continuing Education Credit in my State?
The CISR program meets or exceeds requirements in all states having a mandatory continuing education law. IA&B publishes the continuing education approvals for Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. For CE approval in any other state, contact the Society of CISR at 800-633-2165.
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