First Exams Given for ACORD ACE Designation

ACORD held its first ACORD Certified Expert (ACE) exam during the 2009 ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum held this week in Florida. This first exam focused on ACORD Standards, development, and processes.

The ACE Program creates a pool of certified ACORD standards implementers to support the industry. "For many years, we've talked about how standards help you work smarter," says Beth Grossman, assistant vice president education and training for ACORD. "Now with the ACE program, we're helping people be smarter to work smarter."

The program requires candidates to pass three examinations: the ACORD Standards process and history; One or more line of business (domain) specific standards (Property & Casualty/Surety; Life, Annuity & Health; or Reinsurance & Large Commercial); and approved insurance product and process knowledge programs offered by LOMA, AICPCU or the American College (CLU).

The ACE designation is currently in its next stage of development, focused on the domain specific standards examinations and drawing on internal and external Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to develop the materials, according to Grossman.

"With our current roster of subject matter experts and others on the way, we're tapping into the rich knowledge base within our membership to produce comprehensive and thorough exams leading to qualified implementers," she says.

ACORD's ACE SME team currently includes representatives from: AgencyPort, Soulware, Excalibur, IVANS, Pilotfish, and Vallue Consulting

Also participating in the program development are testing and curriculum development experts Trudy Mandeville, TechComm Partners and Danny Breidenbach, Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc.