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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.

  1. Matriculate with NAPIA and register to take the examination.
  2. Order the study materials.
  3. Study by the method most beneficial to you.
  4. 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



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