Associate In Insurance Services (AIS)

Associate In Insurance Services (AIS)  is a designation earned by insurance professionals and conferred by The Institutes. This designation indicates that the holder has demonstrated knowledge of the insurance industry, insurance principles and practices, as well as insurance contracts and how they should be managed.

Earning the Associate in Insurance Services designation requires an individual to take a series of exams that cover different aspects of insurance and the insurance industry. The courses leading up to the exam are self-taught, and are based on material that can be purchased from the test taking authority. The Associate in Insurance Services does not have continuing education requirements.

Course Requirements

In order to earn the AIS an applicant must first pass a foundation course called “Delivering Insurance Services”, which covers topics relating to the nature of the insurance business, how to identify the needs of potential insurance clients, and how to use process improvement tools. Some coursework relates to leadership, teamwork, and organizational structures. The amount of time it takes to complete this course is estimated at 3-5 weeks. Individuals that only complete the foundation course can earn a Certificate of Completion, which is ranked below the AIS because it does not require secondary tests.

If the applicant has already earned the Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI), Associate in Reinsurance (ARe), Associate in Claims (AIC), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU), Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI), Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding (AFSB), Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM), Associate in Personal Insurance (API), Associate in General Insurance (AINS), or Associate in Premium Auditing (APA) then he or she has automatically completed the secondary requirement of the Associate in Insurance Services designation. The applicant can also take courses required for the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) for credit.

The designation is offered by The Institutes as one of 25 professional designations. The Institutes calls itself "the industry’s trusted and respected knowledge leader, The Institutes and our affiliates are committed to meeting the evolving professional development needs of the risk management and insurance community. We prepare people to fulfill their professional and ethical responsibilities by offering customer-focused and innovative educational, research, networking, and career resource solutions."

Professional designations have proliferated in recent years, especially in the financial field. Professionals who deal regularly with consumer clients find that the designations are an important credential that serves to boost their status and knowledge.