Insurance Underwriters

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.