PIA Staff Your PIA staff is eager to assist you with licensed agents who have a combined total of over 100 years experience in the insurance profession. This information is provided for the express use of members of PIA Association for Nebraska & Iowa for their ease of contacting our PIA leadership. Providing this information is in no way meant to be construed as permission for its use by anyone not expressly authorized by PIA Association for Nebraska & Iowa. Executive Director Cathy Klasi, CPIA Cathy@pianeia.com Events & Education Specialist Alela Heim, CPIA Education@pianeia.com Administrative Assistant Lindsey Wilder, CPIA FrontDesk@pianeia.com E&O & Membership Coordinator Paula Smith, CPIA paula@pianeia.com

< Back Dynamics Package The Dynamics Package—Save $20 when you buy both! When you need practical sales reinforcement or just need to brush up on what you learned in your Dynamics of Selling course, we have the package for you. This package will help you refresh, review, and reinforce your selling skills... Previous Next

< Back Growth & Performance Standards The Growth & Performance Standards study provides benchmarks for comparing independent agency performance. Independent insurance agency owners use the results to compare their agency's performance against their agency peer group... Previous Next

< Back Zoom In On Sales: Target Marketing, Prospecting, and Sales Centers Zoom In On Sales focuses in how agencies are using sales centers. Agency sales centers are a way to generate new business sales by having an organized approach to generate leads for the producers... Previous Next

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Education: Nebraska CE Law Note: This information pertains to continuing education (CE) requirements for Nebraska insurance licenses. The update requirements for optional professional designations are different. Please see the Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) areas of our website for information regarding these designations. Q: What are the continuing education requirements for a Nebraska insurance license? A: In Nebraska, all licensed insurance agents, customer service reps (CSRs) and consultants must earn continuing education credit hours by the last day of their birth month every other year. All Nebraska resident producers and consultants must meet continuing education requirements. Courses must relate to the kinds of insurance that the producer/consultant is licensed to solicit and be completed every two years, beginning from the birthday when your age is divisible by two and due two years from that date. New licensees may begin earning credit hours upon insurance of the license. Life 21 + 3 ethics = 24 hours Health 21 + 3 ethics = 24 hours Combined Life and Health 21 + 3 ethics = 24 hours Property 21 + 3 ethics = 24 hours Casualty 21 + 3 ethics = 24 hours Combined Property and Casualty 21 + 3 ethics = 24 hours Personal Lines 21 + 3 ethics = 24 hours Title 6 + 3 ethics = 9 hours Crop 3 + 3 ethics = 6 hours Funeral 6 + 3 ethics = 9 hours Funeral - Director 3 + 3 ethics = 6 hours Viatical 12 + 3 ethics = 15 hours Q: I'm from another state and I'm thinking of attending a CIC (or CISR) class in Nebraska or Iowa. Can I receive state continuing education credit in my home state? If so, how many hours will I receive? A: Both CIC and CISR are national programs, so they are approved for CE credit in every state that requires continuing education. It does not matter where you attend. Whatever number of credits a particular CIC or CISR course is approved for in your state, you will receive that number of credits, even if you attend it in a different state. In other words, the CE credits for any of these classes depend on where the student is licensed, not where the class is held. We have had CIC classes in Nebraska and Iowa with students from over 10 states in attendance, each receiving different amounts of CE credit, depending on their home state. If you would like to know how many CE credits you will receive for your resident license by attending a CIC Institute in NE & IA or CISR Seminar in IA please call the PIA NE IA office at (402) 392-1611. For most James K. Ruble Seminars, you should call the Society. Q: If I attend a CIC or CISR class for CE, do I have to pass the exam to earn the CE credits? A: No. In fact, you don' t even have to take the exam. For classroom programs, CE compliance is based on attendance. Please note, however, that you cannot receive CE credit for partial attendance. Either you attend the entire course and receive full credit, or you only attend part of the class and receive no credit. Q: I can' t be away from my office during the day. Are there options for me? A: There are two options for you: self-study programs and online programs. For self-study programs you must pass an exam to earn CE credit. For some online courses, you also have to pass a proctored exam; for others, you don' t. The course sponsor can tell you whether a particular class requires an exam for CE. Q: Can I attend the same CE course two years in a row and get CE credit? A: You cannot receive CE credit for the same course twice within a 24-month period. To be the same course, the class must have the same course number, which is assigned by the Department of Insurance (DOI) when they approve any new CE course. This is known as the 24-Month No-Repeat Rule. Course sponsors are required to publish course numbers on all promotions, so students can compare them with past Certificates of Completion to determine whether they are classes that they have previously attended. All licensees should maintain a record of CE courses attended and plan ahead to satisfy their CE requirements on time and avoid repeating a class. If you are not sure whether a class you are considering attending is a repeat, your best bet is to check with the school before you register, and have your CE Transcript (available from DOI at http://www.nol.org/home/ndoi ) or your Certificates of Completion handy. If a course provider re-files a class with revisions, it can receive approval with a new course number, in which case you could attend it again within 24 months and receive CE credit again. Remember, the key from the DOI' s perspective is whether or not you have attended a class with the same course number. Having the same title does not necessarily mean it is the same class for CE purposes. When in doubt, call the course sponsor. Q: I want to attend a CIC institute that runs October 15-18 for my CE credit, but my birthday is October 5th. Will I be penalized for doing my CE late? A: No. Remember, your CE "compliance date" is the last day of your birth month every other year. If you have a compliance date this year, it would be October 31st, not your actual birthday, so the October class would be in time.

Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) Nebraska & Iowa First-of-Its Kind, Hands-On, How-To Training REGISTER ONLINE Don't lose your momentum! CPIA, in conjunction with Professional Insurance Agents of Nebraska and Iowa, will host the popular and informative CPIA Seminar Series via webinar in 2025 & 2026. The Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) Designation is the first-of-its-kind, hands-on, how-to training on sales and marketing topics and techniques. It is nationally recognized as the mark of professionalism, commitment to professional training and results, and exceptional technical knowledge. To earn the CPIA designation, candidates are required to participate in a series of 3 one-day Seminars. 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 actionable ideas that can produce results immediately. Each course is scheduled from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM CT with a 10-minute break every hour and a 45-minute break for lunch. To receive credit toward completion or update of the CPIA designation and to receive CE credit, participation in the entire seminar is required. There will be polls throughout the webinar to confirm attendance. CE credits will be filed after completion of each course. TWO chances for a new CPIA designation in 2026! February 10, 2026 CPIA 1: Position for Success Instructor: Scott Treen, CIC, CPIA 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM 7 CE Hours Online via Webinar Only March 25, 2026 CPIA 2: Implement for Success Instructor: Lori Rummelt, CIC, CIE, CPIA 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM 7 CE Hours Online via Webinar Only April 10, 2026 CPIA 3: Sustain Success Instructor: Sam Bennett, AFIS, CIC, CPIA, CRIS 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM 7 CE Hours Online via Webinar Only May 20, 2026 CPIA Special Topic: An Agent's Guide to Understanding & Mitigating Cyber Exposures Instructor: Scott Treen, CIC, CPIA 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM 7 CE Hours Online via Webinar Only August 18, 2026 CPIA 1: Position for Success Instructor: Lori Rummelt, CIC, CIE, CPIA 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM 7 CE Hours Online via Webinar Only September 17, 2026 CPIA 2: Implement for Success Instructor: Sam Bennett, AFIS, CIC, CPIA, CRIS 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM 7 CE Hours Online via Webinar Only October 21, 2026 CPIA 3: Sustain Success Instructor: Scott Treen, CIC, CPIA 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM 7 CE Hours Online via Webinar Only November 19, 2026 CPIA Special Topic: Disaster & Continuity Planning for Businesses & Families Instructor: Scott Treen, CIC, CPIA 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM 7 CE Hours Online via Webinar Only Want to meet the speakers of our Insurance Success Seminars? Meet the Speakers The only CE-approved, sales-driven designation program designed specifically for property/casualty insurance professionals! The PIA of NE IA is proud to offer the only sales training in insurance and designation program for agents. The Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) designation is a first-of-its-kind, hands-on, how-to, continuing education-approved insurance designation. Why is CPIA for you? Because your agency's success comes down to relationships, and CPIA is your building block. If you truly are dedicated to ensuring your independent agency succeeds in today's highly competitive market, consider the CPIA designation. The CPIA designation aims to fortify your relationship-building techniques. The designation consists of three core CPIA Insurance Success Seminars: Core CPIA Insurance Success Seminars CPIA 1 - Position for Success Course objectives: During this program, participants are encouraged to focus on internal and external factors affecting the development of effective business development plans. Factors discussed include a review of the state of the insurance marketplace, analysis of competitive pressures, necessary insurance carrier underwriting criteria, and consumer expectations and understanding. Throughout each section of the workshop material, tips for preventing Errors & Omissions are highlighted and discussed. CPIA 2 - Implement for Success Course objectives: During this session, participants will be provided with specific tools for analyzing consumer needs; will learn to utilize risk identification techniques to gather pertinent prospect information; will develop skills necessary to assimilate information gathered into a customized protection program; and will participate in exercises designed to promote effective delivery of proven solutions. Throughout each section of the workshop material, tips for preventing Errors & Omissions are highlighted and discussed. CPIA 3 - Sustain Success Course objectives: This program focuses on fulfilling the implied promises contained in the insurance agreement. Students will review methods of providing evidence of insurance coverage; they will discuss policies and procedures for controlling errors and omissions, including policy review and delivery, endorsements, claims processing, and handling of client complaints. This course includes a review of Professional Expectations, the Law of Agency, and Legal and Ethical Standards. Throughout each section of the workshop material, tips for preventing Errors & Omissions are highlighted and discussed.

About Schedule Venue Info Sponsors Register! What is the Rural & Town Agents Seminar going to cover? PIA's 2025 Rural & Town Agents Seminar focuses on the personal liability exposures that farmers and their families avail themselves to daily and exposures in the agribusiness insurance marketplace. Enhance your expertise and ensure you're well-equipped to serve clients in the agricultural sector by attending this seminar! Click the button below to view the Registration Flyer. View Registration Flyer Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 8:30 am - Check-in 9:00 am - Seminar Begins 12:00 - 12:30 pm - Lunch 3:30 pm - Seminar Concludes Holthus Convention Center https://holthusconventioncenter.com/ 3130 Holen Ave York, NE 68467 (402) 363-2675 Registration Click the link below to register. See you soon! Sign Me Up! Sponsor PIA's 2025 Rural & Town Agents Seminar! Sponsorship opportunities are now available for PIA's 2025 Rural & Town Agents Seminar! Click the button below to view the Sponsor Form. View Sponsor Flyer

< Back Dynamics of Selling: The Diagnostic Appointment (DVD) Dynamics of Selling: The Diagnostic Appointment (DVD) was designed to help you implement the training you received while attending the Dynamics of Selling program. The DVD is a great sales-meeting and producer coaching tool... Previous Next

About Schedule Venue Info Sponsors Register! Golf at Quarry Oaks Golf Club! PIA's Scholarship Golf Outing offers an exclusive opportunity to golf at the beautifully renovated Quarry Oaks Golf Club, which has sold out all tee times for the season. Spots are limited to the first 40 registrants, so register today before they're gone! View Registration Flyer Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 10:00 am - 11:00 am - Check-in 11:00 am - Scholarship Award 11:15 am - 1:15 pm - Tee Times 6:15 pm - 1st & 2nd Place Awards Quarry Oaks Golf Club https://quarryoaks.com/ 16600 Quarry Oaks Drive Ashland, NE 68003 (402) 944-6000 Registration Click the link below to register. See you soon! Sign Me Up! Sponsor PIA's 2025 Scholarship Golf Outing! Sponsorship opportunities are now available for PIA's 2025 Scholarship Golf Outing! Click the button below to view the Sponsor Form. View Sponsor Flyer

E&O Loss Control Mold - A Potential E&O Nightmare? 2/14/2011 By Curtis M. Pearsall, CPIA, CPCU, AIAF For some time now, mold has been a hot topic in the insurance industry. In fact, the last statistic that I could locate indicated that in 2002, there were over 300,000 mold related property claims - quite a staggering number. Many now feel that the potential for agents to face E&O claims involving mold is growing. What has changed to prompt this? Let' s take a look. In the late 90' s and into the new century, a significant increase in fungus and mold related claims resulted in most insurance companies developing exclusions, on both a personal and commercial lines basis, in an attempt to minimize / avoid their exposure. In many cases, they accomplished their objective. Understanding that E&O claims typically occur as a result of an uninsured loss, if one of your clients is faced with a mold loss (property or liability) that is excluded, they will be forced to bear the brunt of that loss on their own. Will they take action against you, their agent? While you can' t stop them from taking action, in many cases, you will determine the final outcome. Education is a great first step. While many agents spend a tremendous amount of time educating their clients on what their insurance policies cover, more time should be spent on what is not covered. Studies show that most clients want to know what is not covered as much as what is covered. Thus, it is good business sense to proactively educate your clients about mold and the potential presence of mold exclusions in their personal and commercial lines policies. This will do a number of things. It will bring to their attention the exposures that are not covered but it will also give you the opportunity to sell coverage for this exposure. Mold exclusions have created a demand for environmental insurance products and expertise. By offering appropriate coverage to their clients, the professional agent will be able to capitalize on this demand. The premiums are not as high as you may think. While mold can impact a vast number of risks, there are a handful of risks that are going to be especially hard hit. Contractors are going to be a common target. Home builders, roofers, plumbers, dry wall installers, and insulation firms all have a significant exposure in this area as do businesses involved in design and inspection of property risks. Other common targets include residential and commercial habitational risks. Chances are that coverage for apartments buildings, condo, etc. are going to contain a mold exclusion. If your agency writes coverage for these risks, it is important to check to determine if mold / fungus claims are excluded. Also, the presence of mold exclusions on many professional liability classes covering architects, real estate and lawyers has already started. Documentation is key so it is important that you document the discussion explaining the exclusion. This document will be critical if the client alleges that they were never advised. Also, you should advise your clients about insurance that is available and the risk they run if they don' t purchase such coverage. This should be documented as well. If it is determined that many of these firms could have purchased environmental insurance covering mold related damages and it was not even offered, this creates an exposure for you as the agent. The professional standard of care required for insurance agents and brokers varies from state to state and this will determine the degree to which the agents or broker will be responsible for the uninsured loss. No doubt you have heard the slogan "Mold is Gold." Many a law firm in this country are preparing themselves to help those that suffered uninsured losses. Rumor has it that there have been over 100 education seminars covering this issue for lawyers to attend. This issue facing agents is at the level that has prompted some E&O carriers to exclude any mold / fungus related claims on the agents E&O policy. This positions the agent to be the insurer of last resort for their clients' costly uninsured environmental and toxic mold claims. Utica' s policy does not contain such an exclusion. Don' t let mold be your next nightmare. Take a proactive position in analyzing the exposure of your clients, bring to their attention any exclusions, advise them that there may be insurance available, recommend that they buy it and document all of the discussions. You will be able to sleep better at night.

Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) Iowa Choose 5 of 9 to Improve Your 9 to 5 REGISTER ONLINE The Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation empowers outstanding individuals to provide exceptional account management and customer service. The Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) designation program is a nationally recognized educational program for customer service representatives. This practical program includes 9 courses focused on minimizing E&O claims and understanding and analyzing risks and exposures. Some working knowledge of the applicable policies is required. Agency Operations 29% of surveyed CSRs expressed an interest in advancement opportunities in agency management. —CSR Profile CISR Agency Operations can transform you into an indispensable team player in any insurance agency or give you the confidence to move into another position. As you work with colleagues and customers, you’ll discover an enhanced self-assurance and a greater understanding of the dynamics within insurance organizations. Also, understanding how agencies function is essential training for both insurance agency and company personnel. Topics: Legal & Ethical Requirements The Insurance Agency The Insurance Industry and Marketplace Communication and Technology Agency Workflow Concepts Agency Workflow Steps Account Management Errors & Omissions State CE credit is approved in all states. To determine specific credits for your state, go to the CE Guide. Commercial Casualty I Gain confidence with commercial casualty exposures and coverages and learn the CGL policy inside and out. This CISR Commercial Casualty I Course strengthens your ability to have productive, confident interactions with your commercial customers in the area of commercial casualty exposures and coverages. You’ll improve your understanding of legal liability and what creates liability exposures. The focus of this course is the Commercial General Liability Coverage Form. Also addressing additional insured exposures and the coverage available to meet them, the course provides a strong foundation that is valued by insurance professionals. Topics: Essentials of Legal Liability Commercial General Liability Additional Insureds Those who completed the Insuring Commercial Casualty Exposures course (which was available before Commercial Casualty I and Commercial Casualty II) may choose either Commercial Casualty I or Commercial Casualty II as part of their five courses to earn the CISR designation, but not both. State CE credit is approved in all states. To determine specific credits for your state, go to the CE Guide. Commercial Casualty II One objective of this course is to clarify who is and who is not an insured in specific situations as defined by the Business Auto Coverage Form. This course, like Commercial Casualty I, expands your ability to have a confident relationship with your commercial customers in the area of commercial casualty exposures and coverages. In Commercial Casualty II, the focus is on the Business Auto Policy, the Workers Compensation Policy, and Excess Liability Policies. You will improve your understanding in each of these vital areas. Topics: Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability Introduction to Business Auto Coverage Excess Liability and Commercial Umbrella Policies Those who completed the Insuring Commercial Casualty Exposures course (which was available before Commercial Casualty I and Commercial Casualty II) may choose either Commercial Casualty I or Commercial Casualty II as part of their five courses to earn the CISR designation, but not both. State CE credit is approved in all states. To determine specific credits for your state, go to the CE Guide. Elements of Risk Management Insurance Service Representatives can benefit from an understanding of the risk management process. Knowing the types and classifications of exposures their clients face helps them to design more effective insurance and risk management programs. This course provides tools and techniques to identify exposures, assess their impact on clients’ assets and operations, consider a variety of loss funding/insurance options, control losses and claims, and finally implement risk management and loss control procedures and monitor their progress. Topics Include: Introduction to Risk Management Risk Identification Risk Analysis Risk Control Risk Financing Risk Administration State CE credit is approved in all states. To determine specific credits for your state, go to the CE Guide. Insuring Commercial Property Gain a grasp of the types of commercial property, be able to identify parties with an insurable interest, and understand the difference between direct and indirect loss. Commercial property insurance is one of your business customers’ greatest concerns. You’ll improve your cross-selling abilities with up-to-date knowledge of commercial property coverage and reduce E&O exposures. Insuring Commercial Property gives you the skills to address these issues with greater ease and confidence. Topics: Fundamentals of Commercial Property Insurance Building and Personal Property Coverage Form Causes of Loss Forms Basics of Time Element Insurance Basics of Commercial Inland Marine Insurance State CE credit is approved in all states. To determine specific credits for your state, go to the CE Guide. Insuring Personal Auto Exposures Identifying the right personal automobile policy and being able to modify it appropriately are skills valued by clients and their families. After taking the CISR Insuring Personal Auto Course, you’ll be able to assist your clients in identifying their exposures and more effectively advise them of policy limitations or exclusions that may apply, including ways to provide the needed coverage. Topics: Introduction to the Personal Auto Policy Personal Auto Policy Definitions and Liability Coverage Medical Payments/Personal Injury Protection Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage Coverage for Damage to Your Auto Coverage for a Rented Vehicle State CE credit is approved in all states. To determine specific credits for your state, go to the CE Guide. Insuring Personal Residential Property Nothing hits home more than a personal lines loss. Client retention depends on developing relationships and learning to identify the specific exposures each client contends with. The CISR Personal Residential Course helps you develop the expertise to guide your customers through the often complex and confusing process of purchasing homeowners insurance. More importantly, you will be able to provide practical information that will help clients make decisions for protecting their most valuable assets and their financial future in the event of a loss. Topics: Personal Residential Concepts Homeowners Policy Property Coverages Homeowners Policy Liability Coverages and Policy Conditions State CE credit is approved in all states. To determine specific credits for your state, go to the CE Guide. Life & Health Essentials While Personal Lines business may be your primary focus, cross-selling life and health products is a proven revenue generator and client retention tool. Grow your skills and grow your value for your future and for your agency! This course helps build a better understanding of what your clients need to know about life and health insurance. Explaining the benefits of having the proper life and health insurance is key to the financial well-being of your clients’ families and businesses. Be better prepared to answer questions about analyzing the need for and placement of life insurance. Health insurance includes a diverse assortment of policies, from medical expense coverage to vision care and dental coverage, plus a variety of delivery systems and health plans designed to manage the high cost of care. Topics: Introduction to Life Insurance Term and Permanent Life Insurance Common Characteristics of Life Insurance Concepts Healthcare Policies Federal Regulation and Consumer-Driven Health Plans Medicare State CE credit is approved in all states. To determine specific credits for your state, go to the CE Guide. Other Personal Lines Solutions Learn how to tailor insurance & risk management programs to meet client needs. This course examines coverage exclusions and limitations in the most current ISO Homeowners 3 – Special Form and the ISO Personal Auto Policy. Learn to address exposures created by business activities, the ownership or use of recreational vehicles and watercraft, and the need for additional coverage through Personal Umbrella Liability and Catastrophe Coverage. This course is best taken after CISR Personal Residential Property & CISR Personal Auto Exposures. Topics: Business Activities of Personal Lines Clients – Unique exposures to in-home businesses, types of loss, risk management considerations, and methods of insuring exposures. Recreational Lines – Identify exposures faced by personal lines clients with recreational vehicles and watercraft. Personal Umbrella/Excess Liability – Understand Personal Umbrella Liability/Excess Liability Coverage concepts and identify and compare policy differences. Personal Lines Catastrophe Coverage – Coverage solutions and risk mitigation methods or resources available to personal lines consumers for catastrophic perils. Personal Lines Emerging Risks – Basics of how emerging risks develop, risk management process essentials, and how to apply the risk management process to an emerging risk. State CE credit is approved in all states. To determine specific credits for your state, go to the CE Guide. Reading Guide Reading Materials From Guide The CISR designation program is a practical program, focusing on minimizing E&O claims and understanding and analyzing 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, it assumes 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! CISR is first and foremost a continuing education opportunity. Students will attain knowledge and skills to help them perform better in their jobs, and licensed people will earn credits toward their state CE requirements. CISR also provides an opportunity to earn a professional designation by taking and passing the optional exams at the end of each course. Whether you want to improve your knowledge of a particular topic, earn your state-required continuing education (CE) hours, or complete the entire program and earn a professional designation, CISR can meet your education needs, and the one-day classes allow for maximum benefits with minimum time away from the office. You gain knowledge, prestige, continuing ed credit, and the competitive edge! REGISTER ONLINE Frequently asked questions Who can attend CISR courses? Any employee of an agency, insurance company, or insurance–related business, including agents and agency managers, is eligible to attend CISR courses. While the program is ideal for agency CSRs, agents, agency principals, and other agency employees will also benefit from CISR. Licensed employees will earn CE credit, but no license is required to attend. The top-quality course materials and intermediate-level instruction enable many unlicensed employees to follow the courses and benefit from them. How do I earn the CISR designation? You must complete five courses and successfully pass the examinations that follow each course within three calendar years. Once you have done this, you will have earned the right to use the designation as indicated in your Congratulatory Packet from the Alliance 2-4 days following the posting of your final pass letter to your profile. In addition, you will be eligible to attend special programs designed exclusively for CISR designees. How do I earn the CISR ELITE designation? If you hold the CISR designation and pass the other four CISR course exams, you will earn the CISR Elite designation! These additional passes must be achieved in a three-year time frame. Obtaining the status of being a CISR Elite is evidence of commitment to the agency, the client, and the participant's personal growth. Earning the CISR Elite designation represents increased specialized knowledge, increases earning power, enhances professional status, and creates more value for your agency or company. How do I maintain the CISR or CISR ELITE designation? Once you've completed the program, you can maintain your designation by attending an update course by the end of your birth month each year. Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) course Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) course Ruble Seminars: Dues Required William T. Hold Seminars Don't confuse your CISR update with your state CE requirement. CISR updates are annual. What are the Dynamics of Service and William T Hold courses? Dynamics of Service is an agency-tested training system designed to increase performance, professionalism, and job satisfaction throughout your agency. The class concentrates on insurance-specific customer service training, with a special focus on customer service issues, including account development and E&O loss prevention. Dues-paying CISRs can use Dynamics for their annual update, but this class is open to anyone and would benefit anyone who works at an insurance agency/company. William T. Hold Seminars Are Available to All Insurance Professionals These innovative 7-hour courses are now available whether or not you are seeking or hold a designation. This means more educational choices for producers, account executives, account managers, and all company and agency personnel. More subjects, more opportunities, more educational choices....that’s what everyone is requesting. The William T. Hold Seminars explore current and relevant topics for producers, account executives, and account managers. The classroom agendas are created from more than 40 topics, ranging from personal lines to commercial lines to life and health to risk management. The information is reinforced with excellent workbook materials and informal Q&A with the faculty -- experienced insurance industry professionals. All insurance professionals are eligible to attend William T. Hold Seminars and benefit from the following: Generous CE credit Expert instruction State-specific topics and in-depth discussions Satisfies the annual CISR and CSRM update requirements AND NO TEST! Each WTH is planned individually, so there is no standard curriculum. The WTH class is intended to cover topics either not covered in the nine regular CISR classes or to cover a more advanced version of something that is touched on in one of the regular classes. Because each WTH is unique and the agenda may not be determined until a few months out, CE credit information may be unavailable until a month or so before the class. How can I get information about CISR programs offered in other states? Please visit the www.riskeducation.org How much does a CISR webinar cost? Registration Fee: $170 (Members and Non-members) How do I access a CISR Live Webinar? Registration is required for webinars. After you register, PIA NE/IA will send you a confirmation email that includes course materials and a link to the webinar. You can print the course materials or view them from your computer, laptop, or tablet. What technology do I need to attend a webinar? A desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet Internet connection Speakers or audio on your device Do I need to attend the entire webinar? To earn continuing education credits and/or designation update credits, you must be in FULL ATTENDANCE of the webinar. Attendance polls will be launched periodically during the live webinar. You must submit a response for all attendance polls to earn credit. What is the course agenda? 7:30 AM Log into webinar 8 AM - Noon Webinar in session with scheduled breaks Noon - 12:45 PM Lunch break 12:45 - 3:45 PM Webinar in session with scheduled breaks 3:45 - 4:15 PM Optional: Q&A session for individuals earning the designation only 4:15 PM Webinar concludes Do I need to take a CISR exam? If you are attending the live webinar to earn the CISR or CISR Elite designation, you must take and pass the exam. If you are attending the live webinar only for CE credit or for your CISR designation annual update credit, you DO NOT need to take a test. Your attendance is validated by the attendance polls, and an exam is not required. How do I take the CISR exam? Following the live webinar, a link to your exam will be available on your learning portal via your Alliance profile. The exams are taken online. You can take the exam during your exam window. You will have one hour to complete the exam from the time you begin. Do I need a proctor for the CISR exam? Yes, the exam must be proctored, meaning someone must see you take the test and confirm that you did not use any course materials or notes to take the test. Your proctor must be a disinterested third party and present during your exam. When do I get exam my results? You will get your results almost immediately after completing the online exam. If I fail a CISR exam, can I take a make-up test? No. There are no make-up tests in the CISR program. To retake an exam, you have to retake the class and the fee is the same (i.e., no discount). If I fail an exam, is there any way to find out my score? No. The Society of CISR only provides pass-fail information. However, you can get an exam review from the Society. Call them at 800-633-2165 to request the exam review. They will evaluate your exam and send you a report that analyzes your strong and weak points. If I take a CISR class, but I fail the exam, can I still get CE credit from the state? Yes. As long as you are present for the entire course, you will earn state CE credit, regardless of whether you even take the exam. Most other states seem to have similar policies, but if your resident license is in a different state, please review your state's CE law. Are CISR classes available on an in-house basis? Yes. Depending on your staff size, it may be cost effective for you to schedule a CISR class at your office or at a nearby location. Call PIA at 402-392-1611 or e-mail us for more details. How many Iowa CE credits will I earn? CE credit for classroom/PIA webinar programs, like CISR, is earned by attendance and varies by state/program; you are not required to take the exams. CISR classes also qualify for credit in all other states that require CE, so CISR can be used to earn credit toward many nonresident licenses you may hold. CE Credit By state