What do all the certifications mean?

Understanding what these certifications and their corresponding acronyms mean will help you determine the level of experience and knowledge our public insurance claim adjusters provide to you.

RPA – Registered Professional Adjuster

The RPA (Registered Professional Adjuster) is an advanced voluntary designation for claims professionals administered by the Society of Registered Professional Adjusters (SRPA). It requires a set number of years of experience, yearly continuing education credits, and passing a comprehensive three-hour exam to establish industry expertise and high ethical standards.

AIC – Associate in Claims

The Associate in Claims (AIC) is an advanced, nationally recognized professional credential for insurance claims professionals. It does not replace your state’s mandatory public adjuster license, but it demonstrates technical mastery of policy interpretation, claim investigation, and negotiation—making it highly valuable for public adjusters handling complex residential and commercial claims.

CPCU – Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter

Earning a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation is the premier credential for insurance professionals. Managed by The Institutes, it involves passing 8 rigorous exams covering risk management, insurance operations, and ethics. While not a standalone public adjuster license, it proves top-tier industry expertise.

PCLA – Property Claim Law Associate

A Property Claim Law Associate (PCLA) is an advanced voluntary professional designation awarded by the American Educational Institute (AEI). It verifies that an adjuster—whether a public, independent, or staff adjuster—has mastered legal principles and property claims handling.

AINS – Associate in General Insurance

AINS stands for Associate in General Insurance. It is a professional designation offered by The Institutes that provides a broad understanding of how the insurance industry works. Compared to CPCU, AINS is more foundational and requires fewer courses, making it a popular stepping stone toward more advanced designations.

SPPA – Senior Professional Public Adjuster

SPPA® stands for Senior Professional Public Adjuster. It is the premier professional designation created specifically for public insurance adjusters and is administered by The Institutes in partnership with the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA).

LPCS – Large Property Claims School

Large Property Claims School (or Large Property Claims Specialist, depending on the training provider). Unlike CPCU or AINS, LPCS is not a universally recognized, industry-wide professional designation.

FSRT – Fire, Smoke, and Restoration Technician

FSRT is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification and is widely recognized in the property restoration industry. While it is designed primarily for restoration contractors and mitigation professionals, it is also highly valuable for public insurance claim adjusters who handle fire losses.