87% Risk Managers consider a designation a factor in selecting an agent or broker
63% Risk Managers are more likely to select an agent or broker who has their CPCU designation
Explore CPCU for Free!
Want to preview CPCU? We offer a free micro-course that includes an assignment from the CPCU program. Learn about risktech, common insurer goals, and more as you complete this short micro-course at your own pace.
Sample a CPCU Micro-Course

Free Micro-Course
Online CPCU Micro-Course
- Topics
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- Embracing Risktech
- The Risktech Ecosystem
- Understanding How Insurers Operate
- Insurer Goals and Constraints
- Differentiating Business Entities
- Corporations: Mergers, Dissolution, and Reorganization
- Understanding Corporate Investment
- Rate of Return on an Investment
- Average Completion Time
- 30-60 Minutes
24/7 On Demand Courses
With our on demand CPCU courses you get to complete your personalized program at your own pace. Want to earn your designation faster? No problem. Want to take your time? No problem. Study when, where, and how you want 24/7.
Then, when ready conveniently complete your exam at the time and place that works for you with our 100% virtual exams.
CPCU for Today’s Busy Professional
100% Online Learning
The interactive online CPCU offers an all-new way of learning that fits your schedule and helps you retain critical concepts with:
- Conversational content reflecting evolving industry trends
- Case studies applying new concepts to the real world
- Knowledge checks and practice quizzes to check your understanding
- A simulated exam, proven to better prepare you for the actual exam
Agent & Broker Path to Career Success
The Institutes Agent & Broker Path to Success is an accelerated option to earn your PRC, ARM, and CPCU designations in as little as two years. All courses and Micro-Certs are 100% online so you can access them when and where you want to complete your studies at your pace.
Become the Consultative Partner Your Clients Demand
The Institutes Agent & Broker Path to Success is an accelerated option to earn your PRC, ARM, and CPCU designations in as little as two years. All courses and Micro-Certs are 100% online so you can access them when and where you want to complete your studies at your pace.
Complete the Agent & Broker Path to Career Success in three steps:
- Earn your PRC
- Option 1: Complete PRC 110, PRC 111, three Micro-Certs of your choice, and Ethics 311 or Ethics 312
- Option 2: Complete PRC 110, PRC 111, ARM 400, and Ethics 311 or Ethics 312
- Earn your ARM
- Complete ARM 400, ARM 401, ARM 402, and Ethics 311 or Ethics 312
- Earn your CPCU
- After earning your ARM:
- Select and complete your track (Personal or Commercial)
- Complete one elective of your choice
- Complete Ethics 312 and matriculate
- After earning your ARM:
You can easily monitor your progress towards each designation on the Path to Success in the all-new Progress Tracker.

Your Time to Level Up is Now
Earn the most trusted risk and insurance designation out there - especially when 87% of risk managers consider a designation when selecting an agent or broker.
With on demand CPCU® courses you get to complete your personalized program at your own pace. Want to earn your designation faster? No problem. Want to take your time? No problem. Study when, where, and how you want 24/7.
Then, when ready conveniently complete your exam at the time and place that works for you with our 100% virtual exams.
Earning your CPCU has never been more convenient. Get started today!
Earning Your CPCU
Gain skills you can use right away with the CPCU designation. This program includes:
- 8 courses, plus ethics
- 100% on demand
- Virtual exams for all courses
- 18-24 months to complete
- Mailed diploma upon completion
- Matriculation requirement
- Ongoing continuing education
Ready-Made Resume Skills:
- Risk Management
- Risk Analysis
- Data Analytics
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Investment Strategies
- Leadership
- Effective Decision Making
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Step 1, Core Courses:
Gain a strategic view of insurance with these core courses as the first step toward earning your designation:
- CPCU 500: Managing Evolving Risks
- CPCU 520: Connecting the Business of Insurance Operations
- CPCU 530: Navigating the Legal Landscape of Insurance
- CPCU 540: Impacting the Bottom Line of Insurance Financials
Do you hold your ARM designation? Your ARM courses fulfill three of the core CPCU courses allowing you to jump right into CPCU 410: Speaking the Insurance Language to complete the core course requirements for CPCU.
Step 2, Concentration Courses:
Identify your coverage focus area and complete all three courses within the Commercial or Personal track:
Commercial Track
- CPCU 551: Addressing Commercial Property Risk
- CPCU 552: Addressing Commercial Liability Risk
- CPCU 553: Understanding Personal Insurance and Finance
Personal Track
- CPCU 555: Developing Personal Insurance Solutions
- CPCU 556: Planning Personal Financial Strategies
- CPCU 557: Understanding Commercial Risk
Step 3, Elective Course:
Customize your learning journey and choose one of the courses below relevant to your career goals:
- AIDA 181: Big Data Analytics for Risk and Insurance
- CYB 301: Managing Cyber Risk
- AIC 300: Claims in an Evolving World
- AU 60: Evaluating Commercial Underwriting Risks
- ARe 321: Exploring Reinsurance Products and Transactions
Step 4, Ethics and Matriculation:
One Free Ethics Course:
Matriculation:
- CPCU completers must have at least two years of experience in risk management and/or insurance. This requirement can be completed any time throughout your CPCU journey.
- Explore risk treatment strategies, coverages, and financial planning tools
- Gain insights into how data and technology are transforming insurance
- Master skills to navigate complex policy choices, determine loss coverage, and prove ROI to support your clients
- Manage organizational risk successfully
- Understand how you can offer recommendations that achieve your clients goals in a changing environment
- Apply data aggregation, quality, and sourcing to your decision making processes
- Support your business with a comprehensive understanding of underwriting, claims, and risk control to help you make effective decision
Your Next Steps
If you’ve chosen the Agent & Broker Path to Career Success, your ARM courses fulfill three of the core CPCU courses allowing you to jump right into CPCU 410: Speaking the Insurance Language to complete the core course requirements for CPCU.
If you prefer the CPCU path, we recommend starting your studies with CPCU 500: Managing Evolving Risks. Learn more about and register for each course in the program below.
To check your progress towards your CPCU or select and register for your CPCU elective and Ethics course visit your personal Progress Tracker.
You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers
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Does earning the CPCU designation give me credit towards additional designations from The Institutes Designations?
Yes! After earning the CPCU you may have earned credit towards:
- You can earn the Associate in Risk Management (ARM™) designation as part of your CPCU studies. Learn about the Agent & Broker Path to Career Success.
- Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding (AFSB)
- Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance (AIAF)
- Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
- Associate in Personal Insurance (API)
- Associate in General Insurance (AINS)
- Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM)
- Associate in Premium Auditing (APA)
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Do the courses in the CPCU program earn CE credit?
Most courses in the CPCU program qualify for CE credit.
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Tell me about The Institutes Designations exam windows and what is the best strategy to selecting a window
Each exam window is open for 60 days. You may take your exam anytime during that time period.
We recommend you create a study plan to complete the course work first, then add two to three weeks for review and to complete the practice exam to be confident you are prepared. After creating this schedule, you should be able to select your exam window. If your projected completion date falls between exam windows, we recommend selecting the next exam window to not rush your studies.
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Are there study groups or online classes available for courses in the CPCU program?
The CPCU Society offers Facilitated Study Groups for core CPCU courses. Get the guidance and accountability you’re looking for through weekly study groups facilitated by industry pros. Click here to meet the facilitators and view schedules.
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Are there networking opportunities for me as I progress through and complete the CPCU program?
Yes! The CPCU Society offers a variety of benefits for members including study groups, networking events, podcasts, webinars, an Agent and Broker interest group, and hosts an annual conference, In2Risk, concluding with CPCU conferment.
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Can I take a sample course before enrolling in a full course?
Want to preview CPCU? We offer a free micro-course that includes an assignment from the CPCU program. Learn about risktech, common insurer goals, and more as you complete this short micro-course at your own pace.
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I am not sure I’m ready for a designation, are there other options or programs at The Institutes for me?
Absolutely. The Institutes is home to a variety of options including our Short Course Collection, Micro-Certs, Market Specialization Topic Courses, Agent & Broker topic courses, continuing education courses through CEU, employee benefits courses and certificates, and more!
We want to help you succeed! If you have questions give us a call or send us an email.
Email: CustomerSuccess@TheInstitutes.org
U.S. and Canada: (800) 644-2101
Outside the U.S.: (610) 644-2100