PEARL RIVER, NY – March 10, 2009 – ACORD announced the creation of a new designation program for standards implementers and the opening of enrollment for its first examination. The designation is called the ACE, for ACORD Certified Expert, and the program’s goal is to create and maintain a large pool of experts who know, understand, and can implement ACORD standards to support the industry.
“The ACE designation program meets a specific industry need for ACORD Standards implementation experts,” said Beth Grossman, assistant vice president, Education & Training, ACORD, who is spearheading this effort. “Organizations from insurers to solution providers will be able to more easily find the resources they need.”
An ACE-certification will mean that an individual has received a consistent training, passed the exams required for the designation, and is up to date on the latest ACORD standards and versions through continuing education. Organizations that wish to implement ACORD standards may increase their confidence level in staff knowledge by working with an ACE-certified resource.
“ACORD Members stressed to us how important it was that we set a standard around the knowledge and skills needed to successfully implement standards and find a vehicle for providing and testing those skills. That’s why we developed this program,” Grossman added.
Criteria for receiving an ACE include taking three exams focusing on specific topic areas: participation in the standards process; business line specific standards (property & casualty/surety; life, annuity & health; or reinsurance & large commercial); and insurance product knowledge. Continuing education will also be mandatory for maintaining an ACE.
The benefits of the program extend to not only those in search of qualified ACORD implementation expertise, but to those holding the designation. From business analysts to developers, the designation will add credibility and assurance that they are trained and tested in ACORD standards.
About ACORD
Based in New York, ACORD (Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development) is a global, nonprofit insurance association whose mission is to facilitate the development and use of standards for the insurance, reinsurance and related financial services industries. With offices in London as well, ACORD accomplishes its mission by remaining an objective, independent advocate for sharing information among diverse platforms. ACORD Standards and services improve efficiency and expand market reach. Affiliated with ACORD are hundreds of insurance and reinsurance companies, and thousands of agents and brokers, related financial services organizations, software providers, and industry organizations worldwide. www.acord.org.
