Learn About NAPIA > Certification Program
CPPA and SPPA Designations
- What are the CPPA and SPPA designations?
- What is the goal of the CPPA/SPPA program?
- Who awards the CPPA/SPPA designations?
- Experience Requirements
- Education
- Examination
- Tuition and examination fees
- Course of study
- Methods of study/examination preparation
- How to Begin
- Board of Examiners Address
- CPPA / SPPA Matriculation & Registration Application
- Continuing Education Program
- Information and Registration Booklet for Earning CPPA and SPPA Designations
WHAT ARE THE CPPA AND SPPA DESIGNATIONS?
The Certified Professional Public Adjuster (CPPA) and Senior Professional
Public Adjuster (SPPA) designations are awarded to public insurance
adjusters who have met specific experience and educational requirements,
completed a qualifying examination prescribed by a Board of Examiners,
and subscribe to a code of ethics for business and professional
conduct. The program is sponsored by the National Association
of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA).
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE CPPA/SPPA PROGRAM?
The primary goal of the professional designation program is to
educate individuals in the public adjusting field, to provide
recognition for those individuals who have achieved significant
competence in the field, and to assist the public in evaluating
the qualifications and competence of public adjusting professionals.
WHO AWARDS THE CPPA/SPPA DESIGNATIONS?
The CPPA/SPPA designations are awarded by NAPIA. The American Institute for CPCU / Insurance Institute of America (AICPCU/IIA)
is responsible for administration of the examinations.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates are required to have at least five (5) years experience
in adjusting on a full-time basis to sit for the CPPA examination.
Ten (10) years full-time adjusting experience is required to
sit for the SPPA examination.
EDUCATION
Applicants must have a college degree or its equivalent in education,
experience, or knowledge. Applicants who are not college graduates
or who cannot obtain acceptable educational credentials should
write to the Board of Examiners at NAPIA regarding methods of
establishing the equivalent.
EXAMINATION
The examination is given throughout the year in convenient Prometrics Test Centers.
To register for the examination, you must complete a registration form and
forward it with your check for the matriculation and examination fee. Applicants
who have not registered will not be permitted to sit for the examination.
Examinations will primarily consist of of either multiple choice or short essay questions designed to test practical expertise. Candidates should be familiar with the general process of property loss adjusting and should understand the provisions of common property insurance forms. Although an understanding of the provisions of policy forms is required, candidates will not be required to recall specific policy provisions.
TUITION AND EXAMINATION FEES
There is a non-refundable examination fee of $550 for NAPIA members and $895
for non-members which includes a study guide outline. In addition, for those
who receive a designation there is an annual records maintenance fee of $150
for members and $250 for non-members to maintain the certification. These
fees are subject to change by the Certification Committee of NAPIA.
COURSE OF STUDY
The CPPA/SPPA curriculum covers a wide range of subjects relevant
to the public adjusting field: basic legal doctrines, accounting
and finance, property and income valuation, and personal and commercial
insurance forms.
The subjects covered by the examination fall in to four general areas:
- The Legal Environment
- Personal Line Insurance Coverages
- Commercial Line Insurance Coverages
- The Adjustment Process
METHODS OF STUDY/EXAMINATION PREPARATION
NAPIA does not specify the method to be used in preparing for
the CPPA and SPPA examinations. Instead, applicants should determine,
based on personal educational experience and background, which
method of study will best prepare them for the examination. Applicants
are cautioned that the CPPA and SPPA examinations are geared to
the college level. All but the most experienced professional
adjusters will require substantial amounts of study before realistically
expecting to pass the rigorous CPPA and SPPA examinations. Because
of the specialized nature of the subject matter, few, if any,
formal courses are available that deal directly with all of the
subject matter. This means that there are basically two methods
of preparing for the examinations: study groups and individual
self-study.
HOW TO BEGIN
There are four basic steps.
- Matriculate with NAPIA and register to take the examination.
- Order the study materials.
- Study by the method most beneficial to you.
- Sit for and pass the nationally administered examination.
Go to the CPPA / SPPA Matriculation & Registration Application
MAIL / FAX TO: BOARD OF EXAMINERS
National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters
21165 Whitfield Place, #105
Potomac Falls, VA 20165
Telephone: (703) 433-9217
Facsimile: (703) 433-0369