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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)You'll find answers to most of your questions about the Society of RPA right here. If after reading this you have additional questions, please Contact Us. We welcome your questions and will hopefully be able to provide a timely response and post it to the website. Please address any questions or comments to and include your telephone number and the best time to reach you with a response. What is the RPA and why does it exist? The Society of Registered Professional Adjusters was the brainchild of six independent California adjusters in the mid 1990s. Its purpose is to provide a professional designation for those who exhibit significant experience, expertise, ethics and knowledge while engaged in the business of insurance loss/claim adjustments. What was the “grandfathering” period? The founders, in order to build membership, established a “grandfathering “period from July 1996 through July 2001. Qualification for membership was determined based on submission of an application, a fee of $250, and demonstration of experience in claim handling, educational accomplishment, and personal business reference checks. It was the intent of the founders that beyond the “grandfathering” period, yearly CE credits would be required. Who runs the Society on a day to day basis? As indicated above, the six founding members ran the organization as a committee until 1998 when the Society was formalized with the election of a Board of Directors and the adoption of Bylaws. In their first meeting in St Louis, MO, the Board established a process by which the Society would operate in the future. Since that time the Society has had only two employees. The first was Gene Riggs, who retired in 2001, and the current Executive Director is Susan K. Sunny. Susan maintains the RPA office in Napa, California, and handles the day to day affairs of the Society. Her duties include maintaining the membership database, collecting dues, maintaining and cataloging member CE's, maintaining the website and answering membership inquires by phone and email and planning and coordination of the annual Educational Conference. Who are the current Directors and how are they compensated? Daniel Price is Chairman, Michael Csom is President, Richard Sunny is Treasurer & Acting Secretary. Other Board members are Gary Kerney and Charles Donohue, and Douglas Houser is Counsel. Original board members included Dan Price, Charlie Donohue, Gary Kerney and Rick Sunny. Two additional board members were added in 2001, and in the past two years we have had four members resign from the board due to retirement or leaving the industry. It should be noted that, out of the original six founders, only one remains active on the board today. All members volunteer their time and receive no compensation, with the exception of expenses for those who are retired and have no company affiliation. As an example, Michael Csom is retired from the ASU Group and the Society reimburses his travel, hotel and meal expense to attend board meetings. All other board members are financially supported by their employers. Susan K. Sunny is the only employee of the Society. Why hasn't RPA added more board members? Over the past two years, the Society was approaching a crossroads concerning its future. During that same period, discussion with small focus groups revealed the direction that the Society needed to take to be successful in the future. Although our bylaws allow us to elect up to (12) directors, it would have been unfair and less than prudent to bring directors on-board without first developing a viable business plan for the future. Since that occurred, we have added directors. What has changed from the initial formation of the Society to today? Since the expiration of the “grandfathering” period several things have changed in addition to changing of board members. Foremost has been the development of a new business plan. The previous plan, although well thought out, lacked the financial and personnel resources to move the Society forward. The Society's goals for the next three years are: 1) finalize development of education program for RPA candidates, 2) increase membership, 3) achieve fiscal stability and 4) gain broader industry recognition (branding). To achieve these goals, the board has approved changes to the bylaws and adopted new specific criteria for members maintaining the designation. The fiscal year has been changed to January 1st thru December 31st of the current year. Annual dues have been established at $150, and members are now required to maintain 15 CE credits per calendar year. The board has also adopted a grace period for CE credit allowing an additional twelve month period to make up the credits. Failure to comply with maintaining CEs and payment of dues will result in the removal of the member's designation from good standing. The member may re-apply after making up the CEs and dues which are in arrears, then sitting for and satisfactorily passing the ethics and specific line of business exam. With the expiration of the “grandfathering” period all applicants as well those seeking reinstatement must take the exams. How can one apply and be reinstated? If a member fails to keep current with yearly dues and CE requirements, he/she is dropped from active membership. A deleted member, within six months of deletion from active good standing membership rolls, may apply for reinstatement if: • All dues in arrears are brought current (if applicable) • All CE's are brought current (if applicable) Or • The member attends the yearly education conference (which will fulfill the preceding year's CE delinquency in full) Or • The individual takes and passes both the Ethics and new RPA Designation Exam What designations are currently available? During the discussions with our focus groups, two points became crystal clear. The first was that the RPA is a valid designation in the eyes of the insurance industry as long as it is based on initial qualification of a line-specific course of study and the successful completion of an examination. The second point was the creation of a RMPA (Registered Master Professional Adjuster) designation. To that end we have created line specific study course material and examinations for General Liability, Automobile Liability, Workers' Compensation, Property and Multi-line adjusters. Candidates as well as those seeking reinstatement may select any one of the specific line of business exams. The RMPA program is under study and RPA plans to have it in place by 2005. My company won't pay my dues, why should I? The RPA designation is an individual designation and not a company designation. While we encourage support and participation by companies, it is not mandatory. The designation is portable and both the dues and CE requirements are the responsibility of members. It is the only designation specific to claim/loss adjusters which also requires yearly CEs to maintain the designation. What are my dues used for? Dues are currently used for the following: --Salary of Executive Director --Developing, maintaining and updating the website --Development of RPA exams --Marketing materials --Member communications and newsletter --Approving and cataloging member CE credits --Office supplies --Support of annual conference For the past several years we have operated on a shoestring budget. The establishment and collection of the present dues structure will allow us to achieve the business plan of the Society. What benefits does the Society provide? For RPA Members: --Benchmark for competency in claim/loss adjusting --Provides a path for achieving professional status --A professional designation valid in the eyes of the insurance industry --A portable, validated work and education history of individual achievements, cataloging the adjusters' educational history and experience with multiple employers --Designation provides the individual with leverage to seek increased compensation and better assignments from their employer --A valuable “safety net” for professional adjusters regardless of where their careers take them. For Employers: --Alternative method to train and employ a number of high-end adjusters --Method to catalog and administer the educational accomplishments of employees --RPA system can validate education and work history of an experienced adjuster. --Cost-effective alternative to internal continuing education programs Why does RPA have an Educational Conference , and why should I attend? It is the opinion of the board that the conference provides opportunities not only for the members in attendance, but for the guests and speakers as well. It also provides visibility for the Society and demonstrates to the industry that we are serious about the pursuit of excellence in education and professionalism. Most importantly, it represents a single event that enables members to fulfill their yearly CE requirements through a well thought out program with quality presentations. Additionally, it allows members networking opportunities as well as a time to become informed, ask questions and make comments on the Society's current and future plans. What is in the immediate future of the RPA? The future of the Society is dependent on the continued support of the membership. Over the past two years, the board has attempted to leave no question unexplored, no thinking unchallenged and no issue unresolved concerning the future of the Society. Building from our original roots, we now understand that it is the responsibility of the directors to determine “what “needs to be done, while the actual “how” to accomplish will be the responsibility of the membership. This has been proven by the members who volunteered to work on committees addressing education and business plan issues. Our specific plans for the future are: --Implement the new testing mechanism --Establish by 2005 a Registered Master Professional Adjuster designation --Achieve regulatory parity between RPA designation and Sate Licensing Requirements --Put the Society on firm financial ground --Create and deliver Value-Added services to members --Establish our brand identity How can I communicate with the Society? Our primary tool for communication is our website. Membership data, CE credits as well as upcoming seminars and conferences are continually displayed and updated. Additionally, we have now added an 800 number; it is 800-949-5272 in our Napa CA. office. RPA Annual File Maintenance Fee:Q. When am I due to renew my membership in the RPA and what does the fee cover? The renewal fee (currently $150/yr) covers the cost of tracking and handling continuing education submittals, web site maintenance, mailings, newsletter, part of the Annual Educational Conference costs and other objectives of the RPA in gaining industry and regulator recognition. RPA Continuing Education Requirements:Q. What are the Society's Continuing Education requirements? Once adjusters receive the RPA Designation, it becomes their responsibility to begin fulfilling their Continuing Education requirement the calendar year after they receive their designation, then yearly thereafter. Only members fulfilling their Continuing Education requirement will be renewed upon receipt of their annual application and the file maintenance fee, currently $150. Members not fulfilling their Continuing Education requirement go on a one-year probation after which they lose their designation if the Continuing Education requirement is not fulfilled during the Probation Period. Only members in good standing will be listed on the RPA website. Members on probation will be removed from the website listing temporarily until they have fulfilled their Continuing Education Requirement. Qualifying for credits. Continuing Education credits require your participation and attendance at educational meetings, seminars and/or schools. As a rule of thumb, you can figure that for every hour of education endeavor, the RPA committee will grant you one hour of credit. The activity must be directly related to the handling of claims. The RPA committee has full authority to accept or decline credit based on the subject matter submitted. The committee does not consider that attendance at a claims association luncheon to hear a speaker, regardless of the subject presented, is worthy of Continuing Education credit. The reason: the short time given for topical presentation. The function for which you may receive credit must be a scheduled program, seminar, or school presenting at least one hour of claims education material, debate, or instruction. Credits are always granted if you prepare and / or present classes. If you plan to attend or present a program, you may submit the information ahead of time to the RPA committee and a determination will be made of the number of units of credit allowable. Information must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the program. If you are a presenter at a seminar, it is possible that extra education credit may be awarded. It is imperative that you submit proof of attendance, such as a copy of the sign-in sheet or, preferably, the signature of an instructor. Copies of subject material are equally important.
A key focus of the Society of RPA and the RPA Designation is to promote professionalism through education. Do your part to maintain your Designation by submitting Continuing Education credit requests promptly. About RPA:What RPA is, who started it, and what it does Q. What is the "Society of RPA"? A. The Society of RPA is a U. S.-based, global professional society of claims adjusters. It has three clear objectives:
Q. Who founded RPA? A. The Society of RPA was founded in July, 1996, by members of the California Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters. Q. Who were the key people responsible for founding RPA? A. Gil Malmgren, Malmgren Associates, Oakland, California; Peter Evans, D.L. Glaze/ASU Group Novato, California; Daniel G. Price, Pacific Claims Service, Inc., San Diego, California; John Joiner, Rooney & Anderson, Eureka, California; Robert L. Gresham, Jr. CPCU, R.L. Gresham & Company, Las Vegas, Nevada; and Eugene Riggs, AIC, Napa, California, were RPA's co-founders. Mr. Price became Chairman of the Board early in 2001. Q. When was the Board of Directors formed? What's the Board's purpose? A. Because of rapid initial growth, RPA's time demands on its founders were becoming difficult to manage. The Board was formed in 1998 to provide direction, control, additional organization, and bylaws. The Board's work - performed on a voluntary basis -- has enabled RPA to operate as an effective, functioning business. Q. Is RPA incorporated? A. Yes -- in Nevada. Benefits of Membership:How many people belong, who they are, benefits of membership Q. How many people belong to the Society of RPA? A. At the time this site was launched (January, 2002), there were over 1300 designees.
A. Although the majority of people who posses the RPA Designation and are members of the Society of RPA are from the United States, and are more or less equally distributed across the country, an increasing number of members is international. Presently, we are represented in Canada, Australia, Austria, the UK, France, and Germany.
A. Both. Our current membership is about 40% company adjusters and 60% independent.
A. The independent adjusters are from organizations such as Frontier, McLarens, Toplis, THC Crawford, Maxon Young, and many others. The company adjusters are from companies like FM Global, St. Paul, CNA, Zurich, and others. Q. What are the benefits of joining? A. The RPA is a professional designation which is earned through intense study, extensive field experience, and rather tough examinations. (You can't just pay a fee, give us your address, and "join;" there are hurdles of experience, education, and integrity.) The RPA Designation provides a level of professional recognition that already is being compared to the "CPA" designation for accountants. With the RPA Designation, Society of RPA Members will be increasingly in demand. There are additional benefits which apply to independent and to company adjusters: Independent adjusters are assisted with a range of Marketing Services focused on their insurance company customers. For example, all RPA members are listed on our website, which enables companies seeking qualified claims representatives to find them, quickly and easily. As we grow, we hope to increase our marketing efforts to companies through a focused, benefits-oriented advertising program. Company claims reps can leverage their RPA Designations as meaningful career-pathing tools. In fact, a growing number of prominent insurers requires their people to earn the RPA Designation before they can be considered for promotion from Senior Adjuster to General Adjuster. State recognition: The objective of the RPA is to have states recognize RPA for virtually automatic in-state licensing, a necessity when you must cross borders to handle claims. RPA will have the infrastructure to verify membership for state authorities by phone or via the World Wide Web, enabling states to grant reciprocal licenses very quickly. Continuing education / licensing: The Society of RPA also requires its members to earn Continuing Education (CE) credits. We expect an increasing number of states to recognize Society of RPA courses as the only acceptable means for fulfilling state continuing education requirements, a prerequisite for state license renewals. Q. Is the RPA "grandfathering period" over? Yes. It ended July 1, 2001, at which time the new Designation criteria became effective. Q. Has the requirement for Continuing Education (CE) credits changed? A. Yes. Members who joined RPA in 1997 had to obtain 50 hours of CE credits before five years elapsed (by 2002); RPA did not specify how these credits were to be earned. In 2000, the requirement was changed to 15 hours of CE credits per year, with a maximum of 8 credits at any one sitting. Carryovers are not allowed, but internal company education programs count toward the RPA hours requirement. Q. How do I get my CE credits recorded by RPA? A. Do the following:
Q. How long does it take for my membership application to be approved? A. Qualification for the RPA Designation and membership in RPA must be approved by the Credentials Committee, which currently consists of Rick Sunny in New Jersey, Dan Price in California, and Tom Upman in Illinois, all of whom must vote unanimously in your favor. On average, it takes 45-60 days for new members to be approved. All new members / recipients of the RPA Designation receive special recognition at our Annual Conference, held each Fall. Q. What does it cost? A. Once you have qualified to receive the RPA designation, you pay an annual membership maintenance fee. The initial matriculation fee is currently $150; membership maintenance fees are currently $150 annually. All fees are subject to change. Membership is contingent upon completing annual Continuing Education requirements. Q. Where are examinations given? A. Examinations are supervised by current members and are given on-site in the United States, and by special arrangement in other countries. RPA is looking into retaining a testing organization with standard dates and locations. Q. How do I get started? A. Contact us and tell us you're interested. We'll send you an information packet and take it from there.
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