“From my perspective as a hiring manager, these designations are a window into an individual’s work ethic and clearly demonstrate an ability and drive that are needed to excel in today’s demanding environment. When comparing two candidates who may be equal in all other qualities, I will gravitate toward hiring the one who has shown a commitment toward continuing education.”

Jeff Cruey,
CPCU, CIC, ARe, AU, AMIM Vice President—Commercial Lines,
Ohio Casualty Insurance Co.

Associate in Premium Auditing (APA)

The Associate in Premium Auditing program provides a solid foundation in essential auditing, accounting, and insurance principles. It will help you produce accurate premium audits that meet high professional and industry standards. After completing the APA program, you’ll have in-depth knowledge of insurance operations and regulations, and business and financial analysis. You’ll also have in-depth knowledge of premium auditing principles, practices, and procedures.

Meeting the APA program requirements earns the Associate in Premium Auditing designation.

New! Ethics requirement. The Institutes believe ethical decision making skills are essential to the practice of insurance. Starting January 2011, all designation program participants must complete either Ethical Guidelines for Insurance Professionals (for all programs except CPCU) or the CPCU program’s Ethics and the CPCU Code of Professional Conduct. Both online modules are free. Learn more and register now.

The following courses (plus one elective) are required to earn the APA designation:

APA 91—Principles of Premium Auditing: Insurance Operations, Underwriting, Premium Audit Report, Law, Planning & Designing Premium Audits, Evaluating Accounting Systems, Insured´s Operations/Employees, Automation

APA 92—Premium Auditing Applications: Insurance Rates and Rate Regulation; Workers Compensation Insurance and Premium Determination; Workers Compensation – Construction Operations; Maritime Workers Compensation Insurance and Premium Determination; Commercial General Liability Insurance, Classification, and Audit Procedures; Business Auto Insurance and Premium Determination; Motor Carrier Insurance and Premium Determination; Garage Insurance and Premium Determination; Commercial Property/Inland Marine Insurance and Premium Determination; and Other Premium Auditor Roles

CPCU 520—Insurance Operations

Plus, choose either of these as an elective course:
CPCU 540—Finance and Accounting for Insurance Professionals

CPCU 552—Commercial Liability Risk Management and Insurance

Program Options: The Associate in Premium Auditing designation program is available as a self-study program via printed textbooks and course guides.

Public classes at third-party providers may be available for APA courses.

We Recommend APA for: Premium auditors, premium auditor trainees, and underwriters

Exam Information: APA exams are offered at Institute-approved on-site testing locations and Prometric Testing Centers. Contact your education coordinator for further information about on-site testing availability.

APA exams consist of 85 objective questions and examinees have two hours to complete each exam.

Certified Insurance Premium Auditor (CIPA) designation

Certified Insurance Premium Auditor (CIPA) designation
The National Society of Insurance Premium Auditors (NSIPA) confers the Certified Insurance Premium Auditor (CIPA) designation on anyone who holds the Associate in Premium Auditing (APA) designation and meets certain experience, ethics, and other education requirements. For more information, visit NSIPA’s Web site.

Bottom-Line Benefits

  • Design more effective audit programs by learning how to evaluate accounting systems, verify and analyze data, and prepare premium audit reports
  • Improve ability to premium audit by understanding workers compensation insurance, other business operations, and how to classify employees to determine adjusted premium
Phone: (800) 644-2101 (U.S. and Canada)
(610) 644-2100 (Outside the U.S. and Canada)
Fax: (610) 640-9576
Mail: The Institutes
720 Providence Road
Suite 100
Malvern, PA 19355-3433
Customer Service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Order today! Before making your selections, first choose the testing window and the
course from the dropdowns below to ensure you order the correct study materials.
Study Materials:
Please Select Window:
 Click here to view information for this exam.
Important InformationCourse Guides and textbooks are revised periodically. Check with Customer Service (800-644-2101) if you think you might use the study material(s) you ordered for an exam given beyond the date you selected above.

The Institutes’ courses and programs are dynamic. To provide industry professionals with the knowledge needed to drive powerful business results, The Institutes continuously review and revise technical content and delivery methods based on current industry needs and practices. Therefore, course topics, program requirements, and pricing are subject to change at any time. Our Web site contains the latest course and program information. Customer Service can be reached at customerservice@TheInstitutes.org or (800) 644-2101.


Quick Links
a business unit of The Institutes