How long does the continuing education program to become an “Insurance Specialist (FPE)” take, and how much does it cost?

Duration and procedure

  • The preparatory courses for the Insurance Specialist certification can be completed while working.
  • They are designed on a modular basis and typically last 3–4 semesters.
  • The courses generally consist of 208 lessons.
  • Classes are usually held on two half-days per week (on one or two evenings per week and/or Saturday mornings).
  • Provided that at least 10 candidates meet the admission requirements, the Federal Professional Examination to become an insurance specialist is held annually; otherwise, it is held every two years. The exam may be taken in one of the three official languages: German, French, or Italian.

Costs

  • The fees for the preparatory course amount to approximately CHF 17,000–18,200.
  • If you are a member of the Kaufmännischer Verband and attend one of the schools listed there, you'll receive a 5% discount on course fees.You can find more information here.
  • The fees for the module exams are approximately CHF 550 each.
  • The fee for the Federal Professional Examination is set by the responsible body for the examination regulations, the Vocational Training Association of the Insurance Industry (VBV), and currently (2022) amounts to CHF 850.
  • The fee for the professional certificate and registration in the SERI registry for professional certificate holders is CHF 50.
  • Some providers charge additional fees for training materials, teaching resources, exam preparation, or review courses. Check directly with the provider of your choice to find out what additional costs you can expect.
  • The federal government provides financial support for continuing education, further training. Since 2018, graduates of preparatory courses for the Federal Professional Examination (FPE) and the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) have been eligible to receive, upon application, a reimbursement of up to half of the course fees paid, regardless of their results.More information is available here.

Provider of training as an insurance specialist