MLIS® - Management Liability Insurance Specialist
Short Summary
MLIS – Management Liability Insurance Specialist
The MLIS – Management Liability Insurance Specialist designation is a specialized credential awarded by the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI), designed for professionals seeking expertise in executive liability insurance. It equips candidates with advanced knowledge of directors and officers (D&O) liability, employment practices liability (EPL), fiduciary liability, and cyber exposures. MLIS holders are recognized for their ability to design, analyze, and optimize management liability programs for corporate clients.
The program includes five online courses: Cyber and Privacy Liability, EPL Coverage, Fiduciary Liability, Understanding D&O Exposures, and How to Insure D&O Liabilities. Each course costs $149 and includes open-book exams. Candidates must complete all five courses within five years to earn the designation. Renewal requires six hours of continuing education annually, which may be fulfilled through IRMI courses, conferences, or approved external training. Completion earns a digital badge via Credly and listing in the IRMI Certification Directory.
Earning the MLIS signals strategic fluency in executive liability and risk transfer. Designees are often employed as brokers, underwriters, consultants, or risk managers and are valued for their ability to eliminate coverage gaps, improve client retention, and support compliance. The MLIS complements other IRMI credentials such as CRIS, TRIP, and ERIS, and supports career growth in professional liability, corporate governance, and insurance operations.
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Course Description
The MLIS designation, developed by the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI), is designed to equip insurance professionals with specialized expertise in management and executive liability exposures. These include:
- Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability
- Employment Practices Liability (EPL)
- Fiduciary Liability
- Cyber and Privacy Liability
The goal of the MLIS program is to help professionals reduce coverage errors, eliminate dangerous gaps, and confidently advise clients on complex management liability risks. It’s especially valuable in today’s litigious and highly regulated business environment.
📚 Topics Covered in the MLIS Curriculum
The MLIS program consists of five core courses, each focused on a critical area of management liability:
- Cyber and Privacy Liability Exposures and How to Insure Them
Covers data breaches, ransomware, and third-party cyber liability. - EPL: Understanding the Exposures and Insurance Coverage
Focuses on wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. - Fiduciary Liability: What You Need to Know About Exposures and Insurance
Addresses risks related to employee benefit plans and ERISA compliance. - How to Insure D&O Liabilities
Explains policy structure, exclusions, and claims scenarios for directors and officers. - Understanding D&O Exposures
Provides foundational knowledge of governance risks and board-level responsibilities.
Each course includes an online, open-book exam and must be completed within five years of starting the program.
🎯 Specialization Options
While the MLIS designation itself is a focused specialization in management liability, IRMI offers flexibility for continued learning:
- For annual renewal, you can take any IRMI-approved course, not just MLIS-specific ones.
- You can also begin a new IRMI certification (e.g., CRIS, ERIS, or AFIS) and apply a core course toward both designations.
- IRMI conferences and webinars offer additional opportunities to deepen your expertise in executive risk, cyber liability, and regulatory trends.
Cost
💰 MLIS Designation Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
| Core Courses (5 total) | $149 each | $745 total for all five required courses |
| Optional CE Credit (per course) | $17 | For state insurance CE credit; optional |
| Application or Enrollment Fee | $0 | No separate application fee required |
| Textbooks or Materials | Included | All course materials are digital and included in the course fee |
| Final Exam Fees | Included | No additional fee for exams; included in course registration |
| Digital Badge & Directory Listing | Included | Issued via Credly Acclaim upon completion |
| Renewal Requirement (Annual) | 1 course or 6 CE hrs | Typically $149 per year to maintain active status |
📊 Estimated Total Cost
- Without CE Credit: $745
- With CE Credit for All Courses: $745 + ($17 × 5) = $830
This makes the MLIS designation a cost-effective way to gain specialized expertise in executive and management liability insurance.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites to enroll in the MLIS (Management Liability Insurance Specialist) designation program offered by the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI).
✅ Who Can Enroll in the MLIS Program?
The MLIS designation is open to a wide range of professionals, including:
- Insurance agents and brokers working with executive or management liability lines
- Underwriters handling D&O, EPL, fiduciary, or cyber liability
- Risk managers and insurance buyers in corporate or nonprofit settings
- Claims professionals and consultants dealing with management liability claims
- Customer service representatives (CSRs) supporting commercial lines accounts
📚 Course Level
- The courses are designed for basic to intermediate-level learners, making them accessible to both newcomers and experienced professionals seeking specialization.
🏁 What’s Required to Earn the Designation?
- Complete five core courses focused on management liability topics
- Pass each course’s online, open-book exam with a score of 70% or higher
- Finish all five courses within 5 years of starting the program
Renewal Requirements
🔄 MLIS Renewal Requirements
To maintain your MLIS designation in active status, you must complete:
- 6 hours of approved continuing education (CE) every 12 months
This ensures that designees stay current with evolving management liability risks, regulations, and insurance practices.
✅ Acceptable Renewal Options
You can fulfill the 6-hour CE requirement in any of the following ways:
- Complete an online course from the IRMI Renewal Catalog
- Attend an IRMI conference (in-person or virtual) and participate in at least 6 hours of sessions
- Watch on-demand IRMI conference sessions
- Take a core course from another IRMI certification (e.g., CRIS, ERIS, or AFIS) and apply it toward MLIS renewal (must contact IRMI to apply the credit)
- Attend a pre-approved third-party seminar or webinar and submit proof of attendance to IRMI for approval
You are not limited to MLIS-specific topics—you may choose from a wide range of IRMI-approved courses.
💰 Renewal Cost Estimate
| Item | Cost |
| Annual CE Course (typical) | $149 |
| Optional CE credit add-on | $17 |
| Renewal Fee | $0 |
Estimated Annual Renewal Cost: $149–$166
Time to Complete Course
⏳ Typical Time to Complete the MLIS Designation
- Total Courses Required: 5 core courses
- Access Period per Course: 12 months from the date of purchase
- Maximum Time Allowed: You must complete all five courses within 5 years of starting the program
- Average Completion Time: Most professionals complete the designation in 3 to 6 months, depending on their schedule and pace
Each course includes digital reading material and an online, open-book exam, all delivered through the IRMI + WebCE Learning Center.
🧠 Tips for Efficient Completion
- Aim to complete one course per month to finish in under half a year
- Use the open-book format to your advantage by taking notes as you study
- Block out weekly study time to stay on track
Exam Details
Here are the exam details and certifying body for the MLIS (Management Liability Insurance Specialist) designation:
📝 MLIS Exam Details
📚 Number of Exams
- Five exams total — one for each of the five required core courses.
🧪 Exam Format
- Online and open-book
- Multiple-choice questions (typically 25–50 per exam)
- Administered through the IRMI + WebCE Learning Center
- Exams are self-paced and can be paused and resumed
⏱️ Duration
- Most professionals complete each exam in 30 to 60 minutes
- No time limit per exam, but each course must be completed within 12 months of purchase
📆 Testing Window
- You have 12 months to complete each course and its exam from the date of purchase
- All five courses and exams must be completed within 5 years to earn the designation
✅ Passing Score
- A minimum score of 70% is required to pass each exam
- Unlimited retakes are allowed at no additional cost
Certifying Body
- Name: International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI)
- Website: IRMI MLIS Certification Page
- Delivery Platform: IRMI + WebCE Learning Center
- Digital Credentialing: Issued via Credly Acclaim, allowing designees to display a verified badge on LinkedIn, resumes, and email signatures
IRMI is a leading authority in insurance education and risk management, known for its specialized certifications and technical resources. The MLIS designation is one of several niche programs it offers to help professionals deepen their expertise in high-liability sectors.
