Associate

To become an Associate of the CILA you must pass an assessment process called Accreditation for Chartered Status (ACS) which includes:

1. Critical Analysis
3000 word Critical Analysis of a claim

2. ACS Exam
3½ hour computer based essay exam based on a claim scenario and comprising 4 compulsory questions. In advance of the exam sitting, candidates are asked to select an ACS exam paper from a choice of: Property (Domestic), Property (Commercial), Liability, Business Interruption or Subsidence.

The Critical Analysis and ACS exam may be attempted/completed in any order.

In addition to completing the ACS assessment process you must also demonstrate that you have at least 5 years experience working as a loss adjuster (reduced to 3 years if you hold a professional qualification approved by the Institute). If this experience is gained whilst working for a Chartered Loss Adjusting firm/s you will be eligible to become an Associate of the CILA (ACILA). If this experience is gained whilst working for a firm/s which is not a Chartered Loss Adjusting firm you will instead be eligible to become a Certified Member of the CILA (MCILA).

Entry to the ACS assessment process is open to CILA members who hold the CILA Advanced Diploma.

There are no exemptions available for any part of the ACS assessment process.

The ACS process requires you to reflect on the technical knowledge and practical experience you have acquired. You will consider your development as a claims professional, in particular, the lessons you have learnt and the skills you have honed.

You will revisit the technical knowledge you gained whilst studying for the Advanced Diploma and will need to ensure that your knowledge is up to date. You will examine how you make decisions and identify what is required to make informed decisions in the handling of claims. You will also reflect on how to manage claims effectively and learn about the CILA’s Guide to Professional Conduct. You will review your communication skills and identify techniques or approaches that work well in different claim scenarios.

We recommend that you allow between 50 to 75 hours of preparation for the Critical Analysis and 50 to 70 hours of study for the ACS exam.

The ACS Preparation Guide is available to download on the right.  This will guide you through your preparation for your ACS written examination, and covers the ten steps to complete your Critical Analysis. 

The entry fee for the ACS assessment process is £250:

Critical Analysis = £50

ACS Exam = £200

Total = £250

Payment for the Critical Analysis can be made by contacting Reeya Tosar at

Please note that the ACS exam entry comes in the form of a voucher which has an expiry date, and that payment is made to the exam facilitator, Pearson VUE, and not the Institute.

http://www.mindhub.co.uk/

The Critical Analysis is a 3,000 word essay explaining how you managed and made decisions on a claim that you handled (your case). It will include views on how successful the outcomes were and explain what you have learnt from the claim.

An example Critical Analysis is available to download on the right, and this will help you understand the expected outcome of your work. The example is at a ‘pass’ level and includes comments from the University Professor on areas where it could have been improved.

The Critical Analysis is completed in your own time. You are required to produce a typed document which can be submitted electronically, for example, a PDF file. When you have completed your Critical Analysis, simply email a copy to . A member of the Institute team will then contact you to confirm receipt and take payment.

The CILA ACS examination can be sat at one of the following locations:

At a Pearson Vue test centre

Pearson Vue test centres are located throughout the world and you can find your nearest test centre by visiting the Pearson Vue website at: http://www.pearsonvue.com/cila/ If a test centre is not available in your country, please contact the Institute at for further assistance.

You may find it useful to watch a short video by Pearson Vue on “What to expect in a Pearson Vue test centre” before sitting an examination in a Pearson Vue test centre: http://home.pearsonvue.com/test-taker/security.aspx

At home or in your office (ACS Business Interruption & ACS Liability only)

Pearson Vue also offer the option to sit a CILA examination at home or in your office using an online invigilation service called OnVUE. An online invigilator will observe and monitor your exam through specialist software and the webcam and microphone on your computer.

We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the OnVUE system requirements, policies and procedures before selecting this method of examination. Detailed information can be found on the Pearson Vue website at: http://www.pearsonvue.com/cila/

Booking your exam

A voucher for the ACS Examination can be purchased through the Pearson Vue online shop, which is called Mindhub: http://www.mindhub.co.uk/category_s/100.htm.  Please note that the exam voucher has an expiry date, and you must sit the exam within this date.

When you feel ready to take your exam (whether at a test centre, at home or your office), you can schedule the date, time and location via the Pearson VUE website: http://www.pearsonvue.com/cila/

You may wish to try out the exam software in advance of your exam sitting so that you are familiar with the functionality: http://www.pearsonvue.com/athena

Please note that you are required to present photographic identification on the day of your exam, for example, your passport or driving licence. It is essential that the name on this identification matches the name your CILA membership record

These sample questions will help you to prepare for your exam.

• Sample questions for ACS exam (Business Interruption Paper)
• Sample questions for ACS exam (Liability Paper)
• Sample questions for ACS exam (Property Commercial Paper)
• Sample questions for ACS exam (Property Domestic Paper)
• Sample questions for ACS exam (Subsidence Paper)