The Australasian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters (AICLA) has changed its membership requirements due to concerns over “work around” options which enable candidates to achieve a Diploma of Loss Adjusting without the need for an examination.

AICLA President Ian Lavin has described the “work around” options in a newsletter to members as “a threat to the educational integrity of our membership base”.

The institute’s Administrative Officer, Tony Libke, says while recognising prior learning (RPL) and giving credits for work experience has always comprised part of the assessment process towards the diploma, AICLA is concerned that the entire diploma can now be obtained through prior experience and testing general business skills without applicants being examined on specific loss adjusting skills.

Mr Lavin says while the activity appears legitimate, “we have major concerns regarding the robustness of the RPL process and its failure to assess the loss adjusting knowledge of applicants”.

In order to protect the status of the loss adjuster qualification, the AICLA board has notified members of changes to increase the stringency of its membership criteria for those who achieve their qualification through RPL.

Mr Libke says under the new standards, RPL diploma candidates will need to have worked as a practising loss adjuster for a minimum of five years and comply with the requirements of continuing professional development as prescribed by the AICLA board to obtain AICLA affiliate status.

In order to achieve AICLA associate status, RPL diploma candidates will need to have worked as a practising loss adjuster for a minimum of 10 years, have served as a member of AICLA for a minimum of five years and comply with the requirements of continuing professional development as prescribed by the AICLA board.

In addition, they must satisfy AICLA’s newly formed professional standards committee that they have the training, experience and professional standards to use the term “chartered loss adjuster”.

“I believe the action taken preserves the integrity of the AICLA classes of membership,” Mr Lavin said.