For Individuals and Agencies
The sale or adjusting of insurance is a regulated occupation in British Columbia. To work as an insurance agent, salesperson, or adjuster in BC, you must be licensed by the Insurance Council of BC. To hold an insurance licence, an individual or organization must meet standards of qualification and practice set by the Insurance Council under the Financial Institutions Act.
Even if you have completed the education requirements and have obtained employment or a contract with an insurance company, you must still be licensed to legally conduct insurance activities in BC.
All documents submitted to the Insurance Council for licensing purposes are required in English.
1. Get Ready to Apply
Requirements and Prerequisites
Prerequisites and courses you will need to complete before registering for your exams depend on the Licence Type you are pursuing, and vary depending on what situation below applies to you.
If you are applying for an insurance licence for the first time, you will need to meet the qualifications and requirements for licensure, including suitability to hold a licence.
If you are a former Insurance Council licensee, you may be eligible to re-apply under the Reinstatement Provision if you previously held a licence within the last two years. This provision may exempt a former licensee from needing to re-take qualifying education.
To apply for any form of non-resident licensing in BC, applicants must hold the same class and comparable level of licence in their home jurisdiction and meet certain requirements.
Applicants who do not have the required education for their licence class can request that the Insurance Council consider granting a licence based on alternate education and/or experience.
Learn More
2. Review Suitability
Suitability to Hold a Licence and Criminal Record Checks
Prerequisites and courses you will need to complete before registering for your exams depend on the Licence Type you are pursuing, and vary depending on what situation below applies to you.
Licensure and Other Employment / Business Activities
The potential for conflict of interest is considered as a part of the application process for insurance licensing as well as ongoing licensed practice where an applicant/licensee has other employment and/or engages in other business activities.
3. Apply for a Licence
Apply Online
Applications for licensure can be submitted online or via email. Individuals can apply for Individual, Travel Sole-Proprietor, Trainee Registrations, or Corporate Licences.
Processing Times
Applications are reviewed in the order of which they are received. The Insurance Council makes their best effort to review applications typically within 10 business days after submission of a complete application.
