How many CE credits do I need?
How many CE credits do I need to renew my insurance license?
Canadian Insurance Continuing Education Requirements and Record Keeping
The following information is to be used as guidance to help you ensure you meet your professional requirements and obligations. For more information or for help with specific questions, contact your provincial or territorial insurance council.
BC CE REQUIREMENTS
- General insurance – June 1 to May 31 annually – 4, 6 or 8 CE credits, depending on experience (see below for more information)
- Adjusters – June 1 to May 31 annually – 4, 6 or 8 CE credits, depending on experience (see below for more information)
- Life and Accident and Sickness – from June 1 to May 31 annually – 5, 10 or 15 CE credits, depending on experience (see below for more information)
Depending on what license the licensee holds, there are other restrictions in place:
General insurance
- Licensees with an approved designation (CAIB, CIB, CIP [formerly AIIC], CCIB, FCIP and CRM) must have 4 continuing education credit hours
- Licensees who do not have an approved designation but have been licensed as a general insurance agent or salesperson for at least 5 out of the last 7 years in Canada must earn 6 continuing education credit hours
- Licensees who do not have an approved designation and who have not been licensed as a general insurance agent or salesperson for at least 5 out of the last 7 years in Canada must earn 8 continuing education credit hours
- No single course can be accredited for more than 8 hours
- No more than 7 credit hours can be earned in a single day
- If a course includes an exam, the student must pass the exam to receive the credit hours
- Excess credit hours cannot be carried over into the next licensing period
Adjusters
- Licensees with an approved designation (CAIB, CIB, CIP [formerly AIIC], CCIB, FCIP and CRM) must have 4 continuing education credit hours
- Licensees who do not have an approved designation but have been licensed as a general insurance agent or salesperson for at least 5 out of the last 7 years in Canada must earn 6 continuing education credit hours
- Licensees who do not have an approved designation and who have not been licensed as a general insurance agent or salesperson for at least 5 out of the last 7 years in Canada must earn 8 continuing education credit hours
- No single course can be accredited for more than 8 hours
- No more than 7 credit hours can be earned in a single day
- If a course includes an exam, the student must pass the exam to receive the credit hours
- Excess credit hours cannot be carried over into the next licensing period
Accident and Sickness (A&S)
- Licensees who hold an approved designation (CFP, CLU, RHU,FCIA,FLMI or CEBS) must earn 5 hour of continuing education credits
- Licensees who have been licensed as a life insurance agent for at least 5 out of the last 7 years but do not have an approved designation must have 10 hours of continuing education credits
- Licensees who have not been licensed for at least 5 out of the last 7 years and do not have an approved designation must obtain 15 hours of continuing education
- No single course can be accredited for more than 15 hours
- No more than 7 credit ours can be earned in a single day
- If a course includes an exam, the student must pass the exam to receive the credit hours
- Excess credit hours cannot be carried over into the next licensing period
Life Insurance
- Licensees who hold an approved designation (CFP, CLU, RHU,FCIA,FLMI or CEBS) must earn 5 hour of continuing education credits
- Licensees who have been licensed as a life insurance agent for at least 5 out of the last 7 years but do not have an approved designation must have 10 hours of continuing education credits
- Licensees who have not been licensed for at least 5 out of the last 7 years and do not have an approved designation must obtain 15 hours of continuing education
- Only technical material will qualify for continuing education. This includes education relating to:
- Life insurance products
- Financial planning, provided the education is geared towards life insurance and not a non-insurance sector such as securities or mutual funds
- Compliance with insurance legislation and requirements, including the Insurance Act, Council Rules, privacy legislation
- Ethics
- E&O
- Excess credit hours cannot be carried over into the next licensing period
- No course can be accredited for more than 15 hours;
- There is a daily maximum of 7 hours; and
- Where a course involves an exam, you must successfully pass the exam.
Licensees must ensure they have a valid record of course completion. These records must be kept for five years from the end of the licensing period from when the credit was obtained. The Insurance Council of British Columbia may conduct random audits. Licensees who lack proper records or documentation may face disciplinary action, including the invalidating of the license.
Generally, one hour of instruction is equal to one hour of continuing education credit, with a one hour minimum. Breaks are excluded from the hour and students must complete the course or the seminar.
ALBERTA CE REQUIREMENTS
- General insurance – July 1 to June 30 annually – 15 CE credits
- Adjusters – July 1 to June 30 annually – 15 CE credits
- Life and Accident and Sickness – July 1 to June 30 annually – 15 CE credits
Agents, brokers and adjusters in Alberta must maintain their continuing education certificates for three years after the expiry of the licensing period in which the credits were earned. The Alberta Insurance Council may conduct random audits and these audits will only extend back three years.
Alberta allows for a carry-over of 7.5 hours/credits per year, per insurance class.
All licensees will be required to earn 15 hours of credits per certificate (with a carry-over of 7.5 hours per year allowed.) When renewing his or her license, the licensee must declare that he or she has obtained the required number of hours. The Alberta Insurance Council may conduct random audits.
MANITOBA CE REQUIREMENTS
- General insurance – June 1 to May 31 annually – 8 CE credits
- Adjusters – July 1 to June 30 annually – 8 CE credits
- Life and Accident and Sickness – from June 1 to May 31 annually – 15 CE credits
Licensees must self-report their earned continuing education credits online through the Insurance Council of Manitoba’s Enhanced Online CE Module.
Continuing education requirements vary by license, as follows:
General insurance
- 8 credit hours accumulated from June 1 to May 31
- Maximum of 4 credit hours can be carried forward each year
Adjusters
- 8 credit hours accumulated from July 1 to June 30
- Maximum of 4 credit hours can be carried forward each year
Life and/or Accident & Sickness
- 15 credit hours accumulated from June 1 to May 31
- Carryover of excess credit hours is not permitted
Auto-only brokers
- 4 credit hours accumulated from June 1 to May 31
- Maximum of 2 credit hours can be carried forward each year
To see all provincial CE credit requirements visit the ILScorp Resource Center: https://www.ilscorp.com/resource-center/