ACORD held its first ACORD Certified Expert (ACE) exam duringthe 2009 ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum held this week inFlorida. This first exam focused on ACORD Standards, development,and processes.

The ACE Program creates a pool of certified ACORD standardsimplementers to support the industry. "For many years, we've talkedabout how standards help you work smarter," says Beth Grossman,assistant vice president education and training for ACORD. "Nowwith the ACE program, we're helping people be smarter to worksmarter."

The program requires candidates to pass three examinations: theACORD Standards process and history; One or more line of business(domain) specific standards (Property & Casualty/Surety; Life,Annuity & Health; or Reinsurance & Large Commercial); andapproved insurance product and process knowledge programs offeredby LOMA, AICPCU or the American College (CLU).

The ACE designation is currently in its next stage ofdevelopment, focused on the domain specific standards examinationsand drawing on internal and external Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)to develop the materials, according to Grossman.

"With our current roster of subject matter experts and others onthe way, we're tapping into the rich knowledge base within ourmembership to produce comprehensive and thorough exams leading toqualified implementers," she says.

ACORD's ACE SME team currently includes representatives from:AgencyPort, Soulware, Excalibur, IVANS, Pilotfish, and VallueConsulting

Also participating in the program development are testing andcurriculum development experts Trudy Mandeville, TechComm Partnersand Danny Breidenbach, Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc.