ACP – Advanced Claims Professional
Short Summary
ACP – Advanced Claims Professional
This designation is issued by the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance and is part of a progressive credentialing pathway that includes CCP and CLMP. The ACP designation, awarded by the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), is a premier credential for seasoned professionals in claims and litigation strategy. Designed for those with 10+ years of experience or who have earned the CCP, the ACP signals mastery in high-stakes claims environments.
What You’ll Learn
- Advanced claims mediation techniques
- Managing extra-contractual exposures and bad faith claims
- Strategic litigation oversight and budgeting
- Leadership skills for claims team management
Program Structure
Candidates complete two specialized schools and pass final exams. Those substituting experience for the CCP must also complete the Leadership School. Each school blends real-world scenarios with expert-led instruction.
Lifetime Credential
The ACP is a non-renewable, lifetime designation—no annual fees or continuing education required. Graduates receive a certificate and digital badge to showcase their achievement.
Some Jobs That Benefit Most
Course Description
🎯 Purpose of the ACP Designation
The ACP is designed to:
- Advance leadership and strategic claims management skills for experienced professionals.
- Equip claims professionals to handle complex litigation, mediation, and extra-contractual exposures.
- Serve as a next-level credential after the CCP (Certified Claims Professional), or as a standalone for those with 10+ years of experience.
It signals mastery in high-stakes claims environments and positions recipients as leaders in litigation strategy, mediation, and claims oversight.
📚 Topics Covered in the ACP Course & Exam
To earn the ACP, candidates must complete two schools and pass the final exam in each. If substituting experience for the CCP, they must complete two schools plus the School of Leadership.
Core ACP Schools:
| School Name | Focus Area |
| Claims Mediation | Techniques for resolving disputes outside of litigation |
| Extra-Contractual Claims | Managing exposures beyond policy limits, bad faith, and punitive damages |
| Litigation Management | Strategic oversight of litigation, budgeting, and counsel coordination |
| Leadership School | Required for those substituting experience; focuses on team and strategy |
Each school includes:
- Real-world scenarios
- Interactive coursework
- Final exam to validate mastery
🧭 Specialization Options
Unlike the CCP, which offers specialty tracks (e.g., Cyber, Construction, Workers’ Comp), the ACP focuses on advanced, cross-cutting competencies rather than sector-specific specialization.
However, the choice of ACP schools allows for informal specialization:
- A professional focused on coverage disputes might choose Extra-Contractual Claims + Litigation Management.
- A leader in claims resolution might opt for Claims Mediation + Leadership.
This modular structure lets professionals tailor the ACP to their strategic focus.
🧠 Ideal Candidates
- Claims Directors, Litigation Managers, and Coverage Counsel
- Professionals with 10+ years of experience or those who’ve earned the CCP
- Those preparing for CLMP (Certified Litigation Management Professional) or seeking broader leadership roles
Cost
💰 ACP Designation Cost Breakdown
🎓 Tuition Fees
- Each ACP School (e.g., Claims Mediation, Extra-Contractual Claims, Litigation Management):
$1,195 per school
Includes coursework, faculty-led sessions, and final exam. - Leadership School (required only if substituting experience for CCP):
$1,195
Same structure and pricing as other ACP schools.
🧾 Total Cost Scenarios
| Pathway | Schools Required | Total Cost |
| Already holds CCP | 2 ACP schools | $2,390 |
| Substituting 10+ years’ experience | 2 ACP schools + Leadership | $3,585 |
Note: These costs are based on current tuition rates for CLM Claims College programs.
🏷️ Additional Considerations
- No separate exam fee – exams are included in tuition.
- No annual renewal fee – ACP is a lifetime designation.
- Digital badge and certificate included upon completion.
Prerequisites
You can qualify for the ACP through one of two pathways:
- Earned the CCP (Certified Claims Professional)
- You must have already completed the CCP designation through CLM Claims College.
- Then, complete two ACP schools (e.g., Claims Mediation, Extra-Contractual Claims, Litigation Management).
- Pass the final exam in each school.
- 10+ Years of Industry Experience
- If you haven’t earned the CCP, you can substitute ten or more years of professional experience in claims or litigation management.
- You must then complete:
- Two ACP schools
- The School of Leadership (required for this pathway)
- Pass the final exam in each school
Source: CLM Designations Overview
Renewal Requirements
🔒 ACP Renewal Policy
- ✅ No annual renewal fee
- ✅ No continuing education (CE) requirement
- ✅ No re-certification exams
Once you complete the required schools and pass the exams, you retain the designation permanently. You’ll receive:
- A printed certificate
- A Credly digital badge for LinkedIn, resumes, and email signatures
This makes the ACP not just a credential—but a lasting professional signal of advanced claims leadership.
Average Time to Complete Course
The ACP – Advanced Claims Professional designation is structured to be completed efficiently, but with rigor. While CLM doesn’t publish a fixed timeline, here’s a practical estimate based on the program’s structure:
⏳ Estimated Time to Complete the ACP
🧠 For CCP Holders
• 2 ACP schools (e.g., Claims Mediation, Extra-Contractual Claims)
• Each school includes coursework, faculty-led sessions, and a final exam
• Estimated time:
2–4 weeks per school, depending on pace and scheduling
→ Total: ~4–8 weeks
🕰️ For Professionals Substituting Experience
• 2 ACP schools + Leadership School
• Same structure, with added leadership curriculum
• Estimated time:
6–10 weeks total, depending on availability and pacing
🧭 Completion Format
• Delivered through CLM Claims College
• Includes online modules, interactive sessions, and scenario-based exams
• Flexible pacing, but each school requires focused engagement
Source: CLM Claims College – ACP Program
Exams
📝 ACP Exam Structure
To earn the ACP, candidates must complete two schools (or three if substituting experience for the CCP) and pass a final exam for each.
✅ Exam Format
- Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions
- Focused on real-world claims challenges, not just theory
- Administered online after completing each school’s coursework
📚 Exam Topics by School
| School Name | Exam Focus Areas |
| Claims Mediation | Mediation strategy, negotiation techniques, resolution frameworks |
| Extra-Contractual Claims | Bad faith, punitive damages, coverage disputes, legal exposure management |
| Litigation Management | Counsel oversight, budgeting, litigation strategy, performance metrics |
| Leadership School | Strategic leadership, team dynamics, decision-making in claims environments |
Each school culminates in a rigorous exam designed by industry experts to validate mastery of advanced claims concepts.
🧠 Exam Tips
- Expect scenario-driven questions that test judgment and strategic thinking.
- Review course materials and case studies provided during the school.
- Exams are required for designation—no pass, no credential.
Designation Provider
The certifying body for the ACP – Advanced Claims Professional designation is the Claims and Litigation Management (CLM) Alliance.
🏛️ About CLM
- A national organization dedicated to professionals in claims and litigation management
- Offers designations like:
- CCP – Certified Claims Professional
- ACP – Advanced Claims Professional
- CLMP – Certified Litigation Management Professional
- Known for its Claims College, where professionals complete coursework and exams to earn credentials
