ACORD Announces New Designation Program

ACORD has created a new designation program for standards implementers and the opening of enrollment for its first examination. The designation is called the ACE, or ACORD Certified Expert, and the program's goal is to create and maintain a large pool of experts who know, understand, and can implement ACORD standards to support the industry.

"The ACE designation program meets a specific industry need for ACORD Standards implementation experts," says Beth Grossman, ACORD's assistant vice president, education and training, who is spearheading this effort. "Organizations from insurers to solution providers will be able to find more easily the resources they need."

An ACE certification will mean an individual has received a consistent training, passed the exams required for the designation, and is up-to-date on the latest ACORD standards and versions through continuing education. Organizations that wish to implement ACORD standards may increase their confidence level in staff knowledge by working with an ACE-certified resource.

"ACORD members stressed to us how important it was we set a standard around the knowledge and skills needed to implement standards successfully and find a vehicle for providing and testing those skills. That's why we developed this program," says Grossman.

Criteria for receiving the ACE designation include taking three exams focusing on specific topic areas: participation in the standards process; business-line-specific standards (property/casualty/surety; life/annuity/health; or reinsurance/large commercial); and insurance product knowledge. Continuing education will be mandatory for maintaining an ACE.