The Newly Revised LUTCF® Designation Program Gives Younger Advisors a Leg Up

Since its creation in 1984, NAIFA’s LUTCF designation has been among the most recognized and valued professional designations in the insurance and financial services industry. More than 70,000 advisors have earned the LUTCF designation.

Over the past 40 years, the LUTCF program has been an ally and resource for younger advisors who are determined to survive and thrive during their first five years in the business. While the curriculum provides a broad base of industry and product knowledge, a core focus is the fact-finding, prospecting, sales, and closing skills that are essential to a successful career in the industry.

“I owe much of my success in the business to the LUTCF program. It was the first designation I received and what I learned was invaluable when I was new to the career,” said long-time LUTCF Moderator and LUTCF Advisory member John Wheeler, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CRPC, LUTCF, LACP, CLTC. “I taught the program over 18 times and even learned more moderating it than I did taking the course by the sharing of perspectives and interaction with others of different backgrounds. When I entered management, it was a requirement if you wanted to be in my team. I am extremely thankful that NAIFA is bringing it back.”

Following a short hiatus, the LUTCF designation program is back and updated for the needs of the 21st century learner. The new LUTCF course content consists of a series of educational modules presented as self-paced micro-learns. Each module can be accessed via a student’s personal computer and contains both audio and video elements.

“Adult learning theory operates under the premise that adults have a great need to be self-directing or ‘in charge’ of their own learning,” said LUTCF instructional designer Angela Gomez, PhD, BCBE. “These selfpaced eLearning modules will afford the learner the opportunity to complete the coursework when their schedule permits and when their environment is best suited for learning.”

Each LUTCF module includes instruction in a specific topic area such as whole life insurance, annuities, and estate planning. These modules are housed within three courses required to complete the LUTCF designation:

• Course 1: Advising Process, Risk Management, and Life Insurance

• Course 2: Investment and Protection Products

• Course 3: Wealth Management, Retirement Planning, and Estate Planning

Students must pass a comprehensive quiz at the end of each of the three courses. In addition, they must achieve a passing score on the final exam before the LUTCF designation is conferred.

Fieldwork also must be completed in conjunction with each of the educational modules. Fieldwork guides include course-related questions to be discussed with the students’ mentors. Students are encouraged to choose mentors they know within the profession. However, NAIFA will provide a NAIFA member mentor who has earned the LUTCF as necessary.

“I believe my enrollment in LUTCF within a few months of becoming an insurance agent is a key factor in not just surviving but thriving in this profession,” said LUTCF Advisory Group Chair Laurie Adams, CFP, CLU, LUTCF, LACP. “I entered the business with no natural market and no formal training at the beginning of one of the most severe recessions in history. All statistics indicate I should have failed. My LUTCF coursework provided knowledge and techniques to successfully engage prospects, but it also taught me I wasn’t alone in my early struggles.”

The current per-course NAIFA Member price is $545 with three courses required to complete the designation program. It is estimated that the entire LUTCF program will take just over one year to complete.

For more information visit tdc.naifa.org/lutcf. NAIFA is actively recruiting beta testers, examination item writers, and LUTCF Mentors.