High School
Small insurance companies may hire people without a college degree for trainee positions, and high school graduates may be trained for underwriting work after working as underwriting clerks. In general, however, a college education is advantageous, if not required, for employment. In high school you should take mathematics, business, economics, and speech classes to help prepare you for work in this field. A basic knowledge of computers is also necessary.
Postsecondary Training
Most insurance companies prefer to hire college graduates for beginning underwriting jobs. Many different majors are acceptable, but a degree in business administration or finance may be particularly helpful. Accounting classes, business law, and computer classes will help to round out your educational background for this field.
Certification
LOMA, an international trade association for the insurance and financial services industry, offers a certificate in underwriting to those who complete a class, Underwriting Life and Health Insurance. Visit https://www.loma.org/en/professional-development/accelerate-impact-suite for more information.
Other Education or Training
Organizations such as NABIP, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and the Society of Financial Service Professionals provide continuing education classes, webinars, and workshops. Contact these organizations for more information.
- Accountants
- Assessors and Appraisers
- Auditors
- Business Managers
- Credit Analysts
- Financial Institution Officers and Managers
- Financial Quantitative Analysts
- Forensic Accountants and Auditors
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Grounds Managers
- Health Care Insurance Navigators
- Home Stagers
- Household Movers
- Insurance Claims Representatives
- Insurance Fraud Investigators
- Insurance Policy Processing Workers
- Landscapers
- Life Insurance Agents and Brokers
- Loan Officers and Counselors
- Property and Casualty Insurance Agents and Brokers
- Property and Real Estate Managers
- Real Estate Agents and Brokers
- Real Estate Clerks
- Real Estate Developers
- Real Estate Educators
- Real Estate Lawyers
- Real Estate Writers
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Risk Managers
- Surveyors
- Title Searchers and Examiners
- Urban and Regional Planners