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

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 Eligibility
  

  After the successful completion of the education program, individuals must be a member in good standing with NAIFA at the time of designation conferral and are required to adhere to the NAIFA Code of Ethics.

  Students must complete the final examination within 90 days 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

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.

ETHICS REVIEW PROCESS FOR LUTCF® DESIGNEES

Those who earn the LUTCF® designation must comply with ethical standards of professional conduct, including the tenets of the NAIFA Code of Ethics.

NAIFA will review and address ethics matters and complaints concerning the professional conduct of LUTCF designees, which are brought to NAIFA’s attention.

A. Dispositions

The following dispositions concerning an LUTCF designee will result in the denial, suspension, or revocation of the privilege to use the LUTCF designation, as NAIFA determines in its sole and absolute discretion:

• Felony conviction for insurance, financial, or tax-related crimes or any violent crime
• Revocation or suspension of an insurance, financial, tax, or legal license or registration, other than for administrative reasons
• Two or more personal or business bankruptcies

NAIFA will address other dispositions related to an LUTCF designee’s adherence to ethical standards of professional conduct on a case-by-case basis, as NAIFA determines in its sole and absolute discretion, and will give notice of its determination to the subject designee.

B. Complaints

1. Submissions. A complaint concerning an LUTCF designee may be submitted to NAIFA by any person who has a business relationship with the designee concerning insurance, financial, or other professional services. A complaint must be in writing and include the information on which the complaint is based and any evidence that supports the complaint. NAIFA will not accept anonymous or verbal complaints. By submitting a complaint, the complainant consents to the disclosure of both their identity and the substance of their complaint. NAIFA does not guarantee anonymity to complainants.

2. Initial Review. NAIFA will appoint an Ethics Officer to review complaints concerning LUTCF designees. NAIFA staff will be responsible for maintaining complaint files and may assist the Ethics Officer with complaint matters. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Ethics Officer will conduct an initial review of the matter in a prompt and reasonable manner. If the Ethics Officer determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the complaint does not justify further investigation, the Ethics Officer will take no further action in connection with the complaint and will notify the NAIFA CEO of the disposition of the matter.

3. Notice of Investigation. If the Ethics Officer determines that further investigation of a complaint is appropriate, the Ethics Officer will send notice to the subject LUTCF designee informing the designee (a) of the complaint’s allegation(s); (b) that the complaint may result in a warning or reprimand, suspension or revocation of the privilege to use the LUTCF designation, or other action; (c) that the designee may respond in writing to the Ethics Officer within 30 days; (d) that the designee’s failure to respond to the notice may be deemed an admission to the complaint; and (e) that the Ethics Officer will notify the designee if a hearing will be held on the matter, at which the designee may self-represent or be represented by another person.

4. Hearing. After the 30-day period for the designee to reply to the notice of complaint, the Ethics Officer will determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, if a hearing is needed for decision. The Ethics Officer may determine that no hearing is necessary, because the designee did not respond to the notice or based on available information, in which case the Ethics Officer will notify the designee of the decision within a reasonable time and notify the NAIFA CEO of the disposition of the matter. If a hearing will be held, the Ethics Officer will give notice to the designee of the date and time for the hearing, which the Ethics Officer will conduct by conference call. If the designee wishes to provide a written response to the hearing notice, the designee must do so at least 14 days before the hearing.

5. Decision. The Ethics Officer will review the hearing evidence and decide, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) whether the designee violated an ethical standard of professional conduct; and (b) whether to (i) take no action; (ii) issue a letter of warning or reprimand; (iii) suspend or revoke the designee’s privilege to use the LUTCF designation; or (iv) take other action that may be appropriate. The Ethics Officer will notify the designee of its decision within a reasonable time and notify the NAIFA CEO of the disposition of the matter. The decision of the Ethics Officer is final and may not be appealed.

6. Public Notice. Materials relating to complaints concerning LUTCF designees, and investigations and decisions regarding such complaints, are not public records. Notwithstanding the foregoing, NAIFA may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, to communicate to the public, governmental bodies, professional organizations, companies, and others, that a complaint was submitted concerning an LUTCF designee and the disposition of the complaint.