In 1974, IEA sat down with the Workers’ Compensation Claims Association of Los Angeles, responding to a call from the industry for stronger, more formalized training in workers’ compensation claims. From that meeting emerged what would become a defining chapter in IEA’s history: a four-course certificate program that eventually evolved into the WCCA™.
Over the following decades, this program trained tens of thousands of adjusters across California. For years, to hold the WCCA™ was to signal to employers and colleagues that you had the deepest academic foundation available in the field. Classrooms were filled from San Diego to Sacramento—many donated by industry partners who believed in building a workforce grounded in knowledge, ethics, and service.
We are deeply grateful to the countless professionals who gave their time as instructors, curriculum developers, and champions of the program. Your contributions helped raise the bar for an entire profession.
Though the certificate was purchased by The Institutes in 2012, IEA remained proud to support students preparing for WCCA™ exams. And now, with The Institutes announcing the official retirement of the WCCA™ program effective April 30, 2025, we find ourselves at a meaningful inflection point.
But this isn’t the end of a story—it’s the start of a new chapter.
As legislation, technology, and the role of adjusters have evolved, so too has the way we approach education. That’s why IEA forged a new, innovative path: the Claims Practitioner in Workers’ Compensation (CPWC) certificate. This program is already the fastest-growing and most trusted training resource for California’s next generation of workers’ comp professionals—built from the ground up to deliver real-world skills, compliance knowledge, and flexibility for teams and individuals alike.
To all those who were part of the WCCA™ journey—thank you. And to those stepping into the next era of workers’ comp education—we’re honored to grow with you.
Brian Allain
Chief Executive Officer, IEA Training
