Changes Announced: CPCU® Designation [Updated June 2023]

CPCU® Exam Updates: Please note, as of June 2023, The Institutes has announced major changes to the CPCU® Designation.

The CPCU® exams are revised and updated from time to time in order to keep the content up to date on current events and changes in the insurance environment. This page will track the exam changes and provide insight into what is changing as of June 2023. If an exam is not listed on this page, then no revision is made to the study material. You can continue using your current study material for the exam.

These changes will take place during the Q4 2023 testing window. All exams after October 15th will be based on the “new” study material detailed below.

Here’s what’s changing.

New CPCU® Path

The path to earning your CPCU® is changing. The CPCU® now consists of five core exams, two concentration exams, and one elective exam.

Core Exams (5 exams):

• CPCU® 500
• CPCU® 520
• CPCU® 530
• CPCU® 540
• CPCU® 550

Concentration Exams (2 exams):

• CPCU® 555 (or 551)
• CPCU® 556 (or 552)

Elective Exams (choose one)

• AIDA™ 181
• CYB™ 301
• AIC™ 300
• AU™ 60
• ARe™ 321

New CPCU® Exams

The Institutes’ is introducing a new exam, the CPCU® 550 exam. This is a new exam and course all about data and technology in the insurance and risk industry.

This is a new “core” exam. It is replacing the CPCU® 553 and CPCU® 557 concentration exams.

“Retiring” CPCU® Exams

The CPCU® 410, CPCU® 553, and CPCU® 557 exams are being retired. You have until the end of the year to pass these exams and earn credit. Meaning, after Q4 the testing window closes on December 15th, you will no longer be able to take these exams.

If you do not pass your exam before December 15th, you will not be refunded for the Institute’s courses or exams (AssociatePI courses are updated automatically at no cost to you, you do not need to purchase new study material if you are enrolled in an AssocaitePI online course).

If you have already passed these exams, then it will count as credit toward the “new” CPCU® path.

CPCU® Exam Changes

The content of every CPCU® exam is changing. That means, the content of the following exams is changing:

• CPCU® 500
• CPCU® 520
• CPCU® 530
• CPCU® 540
• CPCU® 551
• CPCU® 552
• CPCU® 555
• CPCU® 556

If you are using an AssociatePI online course, your course will be updated with the new exam content. Our courses are automatically updated, at no cost to the user, each time the exam content changes. Whenever the exam changes we update our online course (during the downtime so it doesn’t disrupt studying) to reflect the new content. No need to buy a new course, your online course will always reflect the most up-to-date exam content. We have these changes scheduled to go live as soon as the testing window closes on September 15th, 2023.

ARM™ To CPCU® Path

With these changes, the ARM™ to CPCU® Path is also changing.

The ARM™ to CPCU® Path is a new way to earn both the ARM™ and CPCU® designations.

Here are the new exams required to earn your CPCU® through the ARM™ to CPCU® path:

Core Exams (5 exams):

• ARM™ 400
• ARM™ 401
• ARM™ 402
• CPCU® 530
• CPCU® 540

Concentration Exams (2 exams):

• CPCU® 555 (or 551)
• CPCU® 556 (or 552)

Elective Exams (choose one)

• AIDA™ 181
• CYB™ 301
• AIC™ 300
• AU™ 60
• ARe™ 321

The CPCU® 410 and CPCU® 557 are no longer required to earn the ARM™ to CPCU® Path. This has been replaced with the CPCU® 530 and CPCU® 540 (because the CPCU® 410 and CPCU® 557 are being retired).

ARM™ to CPCU® Study Material

To get started studying, enroll in our ARM™ to CPCU® study material bundle to save over $900 (get 3 courses free).

This bundle will give you full access to the seven ARM™ and CPCU® courses required to earn both your ARM™ designation and your CPCU® designation through the new ‘ARM™ to CPCU®’ path (elective course not included).

With a 99% pass rate and a money-back guarantee, our course will help you pass your exam in less time with less studying (two weeks on average). Learn more here.

FAQ

When do these changes take place?

The “new” CPCU® exams with updated content will go into effect in the Quarter 4 2023 testing window (starting October 15th). If you are currently studying the “old” study material, you must take your exam by September 15th when the Q3 testing window closes.

Retiring courses (CPCU® 410, CPCU® 553, and CPCU® 557) will be phased out at the end of the year when the Q4 testing window closes on December 15th, 2023. After December 15th, you will not be able to take these retiring exams.

What if I already passed the CPCU® 410, CPCU® 553, or CPCU® 557 exam?

You will get credit for your exam if you have already passed the CPCU® 410, CPCU® 553, or CPCU® 557 exam. Your passing grade will count as credit toward the “new” CPCU® path.

What if I don’t pass my exam before it expires or retires?

If you do not pass your expiring exam before September 15th or your retiring exam before December 15th, you will not be refunded for the Institute’s courses or exams (AssociatePI courses are updated automatically at no cost to you, you do not need to purchase new study material if you are enrolled in an AssocaitePI online course).

If you are using an AssociatePI online course, your course will be updated with the new exam content. Our courses are automatically updated, at no cost to the user, each time the exam content changes. We have these changes scheduled to go live as soon as the testing window closes on September 15th, 2023.