Most insurance practitioners, if asked, would probably consider themselves "professionals." But most insurance practitioners do not realize how recently insurance evolved to the point that our practitioners are considered "professionals," in the true sense of that word. "Profession" is defined by Merriam-Webster as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge, and often long and intensive academic preparation," and generally also encompasses the following key elements:

• Mental, versus physical performance or pursuits
• Adherence to professional codes of conduct and ethical behavior.

Agents and brokers become intimately familiar with the licensing and continuing education requirements in their given states. Most states require agents and brokers to complete approved pre-licensing courses and passing the state-issued exams. There are also state-specific requirements as to the type (some states now include a specific ethics requirement) and amount of continuing education required to maintain their licenses to sell insurance. In some cases, they may grandfather in and waive those requirements for agents that have more than a specified number of years of experience or that hold certain designations (i.e., CPCU). What some agents and brokers may forget is that the licensing and continuing education requirements are just a minimum standard—the least amount they have to do to remain licensed.

See the sidebar "Pros Sound Off About Their Preferred Programs."

There are several factors that serve to heighten the need for agents and brokers to engage in additional purposeful, ongoing professional development activities. First, by virtue of the fact that they are now considered professionals, agents and brokers are held to ever-higher standards of care and conduct as they fulfill their responsibilities to their clients—who also have increasingly higher expectations. Secondly, ours is a world of increasing specialization, and those who hold themselves out to be experts in a particular discipline also will increase the standard of care to which they are held, in the event of a professional liability claim against them. Finally, to truly set yourself apart as a professional, it is imperative that you remain current on key issues and continually broaden your knowledge and hone your skills.