Qualification
A qualification is an academic award conferred by an educational body e.g. the Certificate in Insurance Practice is awarded by ATU Sligo. Holders of an academic qualification have successfully completed a particular course of study, but this does not automatically mean that they are competent to practice a trade or profession – that's where the designation comes in.
Designation
The term designation refers to the letters you are entitled to use after your name following successful completion of a qualification i.e. Jane Smith, CIP. It indicates to customers, colleagues and employers that you are a compliant insurance professional who has maintained your knowledge after you've completed your studies.
Your designation can be removed if you fail to comply with certain conditions,such as maintaining membership of The Insurance Institute and complying with CPD requirements.
The Central Bank of Ireland’s Minimum Competency Code 2017 (MCC) details the regulatory requirements for CPD which must be met in order for professionals to be deemed compliant. Compliance with these requirements is also necessary in order to maintain any designation awarded by The Insurance Institute.
If you successfully completed insurance or business exams in the past, you may be entitled to exemptions. If you are awarded an exemption for a particular module, you will not have to sit the relevant exam to secure the qualification.
If you think you may be entitled to exemptions, you can check your eligibility using our handy exemptions checker
You must apply for exemptions before starting your new qualification –once you register for a module or take an exam, exemptions cannot be granted.
Download and complete the 'exemptions application' form and return it to Member Services, The Insurance Institute, Insurance Centre, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1 with your original academic transcript. Original transcripts are returned in due course along with notification of any exemptions that have been granted.