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Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow

 
Best For: Financial advisors seeking to hone critical skills in prospecting, selling, business planning, and product knowledge
Commitment: 12 months
Format: Virtual Learning
Tuition: For NAIFA members, starting at $350 per course with 3-course package available for $900. Non-member tuition is $450 per course and $1,000 for the 3-course package. The additional $100 is applied as first-year NAIFA membership dues

Why you should earn the

LUTCF Designation

  •  If you are a new agent or advisor, the LUTCF® program is
    the perfect way to kick-start your career.
  •  The LUTCF® designation is recognized as the industry
    benchmark for insurance credentials and is endorsed by the
    top financial firms and insurance agencies.
  •  You’ll develop fundamental prospecting, selling, and
    practice-management skills, plus working knowledge of
    insurance and investment products available to help clients
    manage risk.
  •  Graduates of the LUTCF® program report increases in their
    earnings, client base, and even their job satisfaction after
    completing their studies.
  •  Develop the skills that the top insurance agencies demand
    that agents need to know while advancing your own financial career.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is the sole owner of the Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow and LUTCF trademark.

Brandon Smith,
MBA, CLU, LUTCF, ChFC

Loyal NAIFA Member Explains the Value of His LUTCF

About the LUTCF Designation

NAIFA’s LUTCF® is the training program that has prepared more than 70,000 insurance and financial advisors to survive and thrive in the industry.

Since 1984, the LUTCF® Designation Program has been considered the first designation any insurance professional should earn. When you earn the LUTCF® designation, you receive so much more than a recognized designation. You gain fundamental, yet critical prospecting, selling, and practice-management skills, along with a thorough working knowledge of life and multi-line products and services.

The curriculum integrates four practice specialties – life insurance and annuities, health and employee benefits, multi-line, and financial advising and investments – providing both an overview of each but also addressing their interdependencies, which are critical for agents and advisors to understand when advising clients. Topics cover the real-life issues of today, from multigenerational homes to single-parent households and special needs planning.

Requirements

The requirements for obtaining the LUTCF designation are as follows:

Successful completion of the three courses that comprise the LUTCF education program is required. As part of the education program, students must view self-paced educational modules and complete student learner guides with input from a mentor. This mentor will be selected by the student or if necessary, NAIFA will select a mentor for the student. All fieldwork assignments for each course module must be completed in no fewer than two and no more than three weeks following the completion of the viewing of Topic content.

Individuals must pass an end-of-course examination covering the content of each educational module. This is a proctored examination that will be administered at testing centers conveniently located throughout the U.S. The examination fee is $375. Individuals must also pass an online test at the end of each of the three LUTCF Courses with a score of 80% or higher. 

After the successful completion of the education program, individuals apply for authorization to use the LUTCF designation. This application requires the student to be a member in good standing with NAIFA and to adhere to the NAIFA Code of Ethics.

Students must complete the Designation Application within six months of completing the education program. Failure to complete this component within this time frame will result in termination of the individual’s candidacy.

  • Course Outline

    Course Introduction

    Course 1: Advising Process, Risk Management, and Life Insurance
    • Ethics
    • Developing a Business Plan
    • Prospecting for Life Insurance
    • Discovery and Fact Finding
    • Overview of Life Insurance: Part One
    • Overview of Life Insurance: Part Two
    • Term Life Insurance
    • Cash Value Life Insurance
    • Whole Life Insurance
    • Universal Life, Variable Life, Universal Variable Life Insurance, and Equity Indexed Universal Life
    • Joint Life Insurance
    • Financial Planning and Risk Management
    Course 2: Investment and Protection Products
    • Annuities
    • Disability Income Protection
    • Long-Term Care Insurance
    • Property and Casualty Insurance
    • Mutual Funds: Part One
    • Mutual Funds: Part Two
    • Health Insurance: Part One
    • Health Insurance: Part Two
    Course 3: Wealth Management, Retirement Planning, and Estate Planning
    • Individual Retirement Planning
    • Estate Planning
    • Employer-Based Retirement Solutions
    • Employer-Based Non-Retirement Solutions
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Final Exam Planning
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    1. What is the LUTCF® Designation?

    LUTCF stands for Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow. This designation program has been in existence since 1984. The LUTCF curriculum was recently recreated and consists of self-paced micro-learns that can be accessed from an electronic device. The new program consists of three courses and a final examination.  The courses are: 

    Course 1: Advising Process, Risk Management, and Life Insurance
    Course 2: Investment and Protection Products 
    Course 3: Wealth Management, Retirement Planning, and Estate Planning

    2. What is the membership requirement to earn the LUTCF?

    NAIFA Membership is required at the time of LUTCF conferment and LUTCF renewal. The designation applicant must be a NAIFA member and attest to a commitment to adhere to the NAIFA Code of Ethics.

    3. Why should I earn the LUTCF?  

    When you earn the LUTCF® designation, you receive so much more than a recognized designation. A new agent or advisor will gain fundamental, yet critical prospecting and selling skills, along with a thorough working knowledge of life, financial planning, and multi-line products and services.  More than 70,000 insurance professionals know the value of the LUTCF®, which is considered the first credential any agent should earn. Recommended for individuals in the first 1-5 years of their business. 

    4. What is the length and content of the LUTCF classes?

    The courses are: 

    Course 1: Advising Process, Risk Management, and Life Insurance
    Course 2: Investment and Protection Products 
    Course 3: Wealth Management, Retirement Planning, and Estate Planning
       

    Each course takes approximately three to four months to complete.  

    5. What are the requirements to earn the LUTCF designation?

    The requirements for obtaining the LUTCF designation are as follows:

    • 1) Education

      Successful completion of the three courses that comprise the LUTCF education program is required. As part of the education program, students must view self-paced educational modules and complete student learner guides with input from a mentor. This mentor will be selected by the student or if necessary, NAIFA will select a mentor for the student. All fieldwork assignments for each course module must be completed in no fewer than two and no more than three weeks following the completion of the viewing of Topic content.

    • 2) Examination

      Individuals must pass an end-of-course examination covering the content of each educational module. This is a proctored examination that will be administered at testing centers conveniently located throughout the U.S. The examination fee is $375. Individuals must also pass an online test at the end of each of the three LUTCF Courses with a score of 80% or higher.

    • 3) Designation Application

      After the successful completion of the education program, individuals apply for authorization to use the LUTCF designation. This application requires the student to be a member in good standing with NAIFA and to adhere to the NAIFA Code of Ethics.

      Students must complete the Designation Application within six months of completing the education program. Failure to complete this component within this time frame will result in termination of the individual’s candidacy.

    6. What is the cost of the LUTCF program

    The cost of the LUTCF designation program is $350 per course for a NAIFA member and $450 for non-NAIFA members (includes 1 year of NAIFA membership). The bundled price for all three courses is $900 for members and $1,000 for non-members (includes 1 year of NAIFA membership). The program consists of three courses that are required to sit for the LUTCF examination. The examination fee is $375.

    7. How do I enroll in the LUTCF program?

    To enroll, visit LUTCF - Click here

  • Authorization to Use the Designation

    Students who successfully fulfill the designation requirements receive a certificate and authorization to use the LUTCF designation. Authorization to use the designation is granted for an initial period of three years. Continued use of the designation requires the designee to renew prior to the end of the authorization period. Subsequent authorization periods are three years in length.

  • Renewal Requirements

    Following the initial conferment of the LUTCF designation, authorization for continued use of the designation must be renewed every three years at the end of the authorization period. Subsequent authorization periods are three years in length.

    Each designee applying for renewal is required to:

    • Complete a renewal application, pay a non-refundable renewal fee of $95, and report continuing education (CE).
    • Designees are required to complete three (3) continuing education credits (hours) in the subject area of Ethics within the three-year authorization period. Designees must also complete a NAIFA-provided, self-study designation renewal course that provides updated information concerning LUTCF course content.


    The LUTCF designation is completely within NAIFA’s control. Please disregard any communications from other organizations concerning your LUTCF status or renewal. You may direct any questions to Brendan Bernat at bbernat@naifa.org.


LUTCF® Trademark:

NAIFA owns the registered trademark LUTCF®. Only those individuals who hold the valid LUTCF designation are authorized to use the mark. Unauthorized use of the mark by any individual is prohibited, and NAIFA may take appropriate measures to address all unauthorized use that comes to its attention.

Disclaimer

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors reserves the right to amend or expand the requirements to obtain or maintain authorization to use the LUTCF designation without notice. Designees are responsible for staying up-to-date and meeting the current standards.

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