Education Offerings

Education is a hallmark of PIA of Tennessee. Three nationally recognized designations can be earned through PIA - Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA), Personal Lines Coverage Specialist (PLCS) and Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS). Licensing candidates can take state-required pre-licensing education through PIA. Continuing education can be earned using our online program and/or by attending classroom education that we offer throughout the year in locations across the state. New agency employees can receive indepth training right at their desktop using PIA's New Employee Training program. And, hot insurance topics are up for lunch hour discussion in PIA's teleconference series.

• Pre-licensing Education
• Designation Programs - CPIA, PLCS, CLCS
• Fall Education Seminar - CPIA Advancec commercial Lines Risk Analysis
• Online Education - C.E. and non-C.E. tracks
• New Employee Training
• PIA Teleconference Series

Licensing Requirements for Insurance Producers

New state rules addressing the licensing requirements of Tennessee insurance producers were effective January 1, 2009. Click here for the current licensing rules. If you are required to earn C.E. for license renewal, you can check your accumulated credit hours by contacting the Agent Licensing Section of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance at 1-888-416-0868 or (615) 741-2693. C.E. Reminder: Any education class for which you have earned C.E. credit cannot be repeated for credit within a three-year time frame.

Pre-Licensing Education

Tennessee law Tennessee Code 56-6-105 (a) (1) requires licensing applicants to complete pre-licensing education prior to taking the producer licensing exam. A change in the law (effective 01/01/2008) allows pre-licensing study and testing to be completed online. PIA has partnered with Able Incorporated to offer online prelicensing education for property and casualty, life and health, and Series 6 and 63. Click here for PIA's discounted pricing and details of course offerings. Click here to go to the pre-licensing study on the Able website.

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Designation Programs

The CPIA designation (Certified Professional Insurance Agent) is the only sales designation that is approved for continuined education credit. The nationally recognized program is administered by the American Insurance Marketing and Sales Society (AIMS); PIA of Tennessee is the exclusive provider in Tennessee. No formal exam is required to earn the designation; an update class is required every two years to maintain the designation. Students can earn up to 22 hours of C.E. credit by attending the three seminars. Click here for the registration form. To register online click here.

PIA has partnered with The National Underwriter Company to offer the Personal Lines Coverage Specialist (PLCS) and Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) designations. These designation offer the most complete professional learning program available to industry professionals who are seeking to master these lines of coverages. The curriculum is based on the most important document in the insurance industry - the insurance policy - and is produced by the staff of the FC&S Bulletins and Coverage Guide Series.

Members of PIA of Tennessee qualify for a fee discount; click here for your discount coupon then proceed to the PLCS/CLCS designation website. Non-members, click here for the non-member coupon, then click here to proceed.

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Fall Education Seminar

"CPIA Advanced Commercial Lines Risk Analysis." This day-long seminar will combine two topics - "E&O and the Insurance Producer" and "Using a Risk Management Questionnaire for Exposure Indentification" - to enhance the professionalism and sales excellence of commercial lines producers and CSRs. The class is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, in Nashville. The registration fee is $135 for PIA agency members and/or staff; $175 for non-members. PIA will submit this class for 7 hours Tennessee C.E. credit. It will satisfy the CPIA update requirement and is approved for the Utica Mutual E&O premium credit. Registration form to follow. To register online click here.

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Online Education

The largest number of state-approved C.E. courses in the industry is available to members online, 24-7, and cost less than $40 for single courses. Students can peruse the courses at no charge. Payment is required when testing for C.E. credit is completed. Students' earned C.E. is filed by the provider. Two categories of classes are available:

• Continuing Education Credit
• Professional Skills Courses
  • Computer Desktop Skills
  • Business & Management Skills
  • Technical Skills (Computer Systems and Programming)
    

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New Employee Training

PIA offers training for your agency's new employees through Managing Education Resource Group (MERG). Five training courses are available. All are online with the employee training from from his/her desktop in a virtual classroom that includes a facilitator and rookies from other agencies. The courses are:

• Personal Lines Coverage Basics (12 hours C.E. credit)
• Commercial Lines Coverage Basics (12 hours C.E. credit)
• New Employee Orientation for Agency Personnel
• Delivering Quality Service to the Customer and the Employer
• The Basics & Beyond – Commercial Lines

Click to read "How This Class Works." Click here for the 2009 schedule.

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PIA Teleconference Series

PIA Teleconference is an interactive teleconference on fresh insurance topics delivered straight to your agency. PIA of Tennessee has partnered with PIA of New York to offer members access to this series. Start time is 12:00 noon Eastern time (11:00 a.m. Central time) The conference last 45 - 60 minutes and requires Internet email access to receive/view support materials and a telephone (speakerphone for multiple participants). To read specifics about each session and/or to register click here:

2009 First-half Dates & Topics

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