Applying for a license FAQ

A certificate of authority is the official terminology for the license issued to an individual and/or business to act as an insurance agent, as used in the Insurance Act and Regulations.

CIPR is the Canadian Insurance Participant Registry.

CIPR is used to:

• provide a single, secure location where you can maintain and update your personal information (e.g. personal name, date of birth, residence address, contact number)
• specify an email address that you can use to login to the AIC Portal, rather than your license number
• provides a unique business identifier that you can use with other industry partners, such as insurers, LLQP providers, and CE providers

View CIPR FAQs for more information.

You must apply for a license with the legal name on your Canadian-issued government identification. You cannot represent yourself with an alias, such as nicknames or preferred names.

In addition, an individual cannot apply for a license with the first or last name fields blank or with an indicator (period, n/a, etc.). If you only have one name, you must enter the same name in both the first and last name fields.

First, update your name in your CIPR profile and then log into the AIC portal to complete an application.

1. Select “yes” to “I am changing one or more of the following…”; then, select your current license from the drop-down menu.
2. Respond “yes” to the question “Have you been licensed in Alberta or elsewhere?” and indicate that you are changing your name.
3. Upload PDF proof of the name change (e,g, government-issued ID such as driver’s license, marriage certificate, etc.).
4. Complete your application and submit it for processing with payment.

To update your residence address, log into your CIPR profile, and make the changes under your personal profile.

Note: agents can select their city and province in the CIPR and AIC Portal by typing the first few letters of that information and then selecting their choice from the drop-down menu.

To change your business address under your issued license, log into the AIC Portal and go to your “Active Licenses.” Click on the check box for each license you wish to change the address for, click on the “Edit Address” button, click “Edit Address” again, and make the applicable changes.

Note: agents can select their city and province in the CIPR and AIC Portal by typing the first few letters of that information and then selecting their choice from the drop-down menu.

If you have already submitted your application to your “recommender,” you can no longer change the business address. You will need to contact your recommender and request they “send back” the application to you so that you can update the address.

You can access a copy of any active certificate that you hold by logging into the AIC Portal, selecting the “Active Licenses” tile and choosing the certificate(s) that you wish to view, print, or email.

The Designated Representative of the agency and the Designated Individual of a restricted certificate of authority have access to the active certificates for the agency.

You cannot obtain copies of non-active licenses. However, you can view and print your license/certificate of authority history anytime by logging into your AIC account and selecting the green “Active Licenses” button. You can then click the “License History” button to view and print or save your license history. Then, click the button under the “Actions’ tab.

All applications (residents or non-residents) must be completed online by logging into your AIC account with your CIPR# or email address and password.

• Individuals applying to represent an agency, as a sole proprietor, or as an employee of the insurer must log into their AIC account and submit their application(s) by themselves.
• Online applications to license an insurance agency or adjusting firm must be completed by the Designated Representatives.
• Online applications to license a Restricted Business must be completed by the Designated Individual.

The process is the same as “applying for a license.”  You will reinstate if you re-apply in the same term.

If you are transferring your current license: when completing your application, select “yes” to “I am changing one or more of the following…”. Then, select from the drop-down menu your current license number.

Log into the AIC Portal and click on “Licenses” to locate your pending application(s). Click on the “Actions” button (i.e. blue notepad icon) to view/open your application to check the status. The current status of your application is indicated under the “Status” column. Click on the “Actions” button (i.e. blue notepad icon) to view/open your application.

You can view explanations for the application statuses in the below FAQs.

This status means the application is still with you. The application has not yet been submitted to the sponsor or has been returned by the sponsor to the applicant for amendment.

You will receive an “Incomplete Application” message and a red flag will appear next to the applicable section(s) that is not complete. Ensure all sections have been answered and you have clicked “Submit.”

This means your application is with your recommending insurance company (applicable to Life, A&S, or General agent if applying as an employee of the insurer) or with the Designated Representative (applicable to General or Adjuster). Please contact them for the status of your application.

Your application has been approved by the sponsor/DR, but fees need to be paid. If you selected that you are paying the fees, you must log into your AIC profile and click the red “Invoices” box to complete the payment. If your sponsor or agency is paying, contact them to complete the payment process.

Your application has been successfully paid and submitted to AIC for final review. Check your email in case a Licensing Officer has contacted you requesting additional information. Be sure to check your junk and spam folders as well.

AIC review applications in the order they are received. Processing time will vary based on volume and may take up to 15 business days. Please do not contact AIC for a status update unless the application has been “Under Review with the AIC” for over 15 business days.

Due to high volumes of applications received at AIC, the processing times may extend beyond the typical five business days and could extend up to 15 business days at times. We kindly ask that you do not contact AIC for a status update unless the application has been “Under Review with the AIC” for over 15 business days.

When emailing licensing@abcouncil.ab.ca, ensure you provide your full name and CIPR or application number in the email subject line.

If an application is not submitted to the AIC within 30 days, the system will automatically abandon the application. You must re-complete the applications to reapply.

Note: If you have already paid for the application, you are not required to pay again. Simply click on “Pay with Money on Account” to apply the credit towards your new application.

No. Once an application is abandoned, it cannot be re-activated. You will be required to complete new online applications and submit fee payments.

Communications from the AIC Licensing Department are sent to the email address under your CIPR profile and the business address (if we can identify the email belongs to the applicant). AIC recommends that you whitelist the @abcouncil.ab.ca domain email address in your system to ensure AIC emails are not blocked or directed to your junk email.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their email address under their CIPR profile is always current. The email address entered under the CIPR profile will be used for all AIC correspondence regarding your pending applications and license status information, including E&O notification(s), license renewal notification(s), etc.

For privacy and security reasons, AIC will not provide information regarding details of a pending application to a third party.

You do not need to use your credit card to pay for the new application. When you complete new applications, select you are paying for the invoice. Click on the “Invoice” tab and then click the “Open” status. Select “Pay with money on account” and apply the fee amount towards your next applications.

You can search for the agent’s/agency’s name using our Agent Lookup tool.

Please check the correct spelling of the name when you make your search request. Spaces count as a character, and partial names can be searched.

If your search request generates no search result, this suggests that an individual or business with that name is not currently licensed. The status must show “License Issued” to confirm that the agent currently holds a valid certificate of authority. If the status shows “Pending License Application,” this means that an application is “in process” and a certificate has not yet been issued.

It is the license holder and/or the applicant’s responsibility to manage their own AIC account, including entering their CE courses and applying or renewing their licenses. They cannot delegate their obligations to a third party. The Alberta Insurance Council will not provide information to administrative support staff with a login ID and password.

If you intend to act as an insurance agent and/or adjuster, you must hold an active certificate of authority for the class of license you wish to transact in Alberta by completing an application under your own AIC account. The same application process applies to residents and non-residents.

Yes, any individual or business—including wholesale brokers, TPAs, and MGAs—that intend to act as an insurance agent/adjuster in Alberta must hold an active certificate of authority for the class of license they wish to transact in Alberta.

View the definitions of an “insurance agent” and “insurance adjuster,” as defined in the Insurance Act.

You cannot “transfer” your license to Alberta from another jurisdiction. You must obtain a certificate of authority for the class of license you wish to transact in Alberta by completing the appropriate application and paying the related fees. View the licensing requirements.

A current criminal check will be required for:

1. new applicants;
2. if reapplying after six months from the last date you held an active license and you are applying in a new certificate term; or
3. if you disclose a criminal conviction on your license renewal application or by emailing licensing@abcouncil.ab.ca

Yes. Each regulator has its own eligibility requirements and established procedures. You are required to provide a current criminal check according to our specifications. Refer to the following questions as to what type of criminal checks are acceptable.

The criminal check must be issued within the last three (3) months from AIC receiving the paid and approved applications.

For residents of Canada, we only accept a criminal record check from:
1) MyBackCheck;
2) Your local police station; or
3) RCMP detachment

If you are providing a criminal check from the local police station or RCMP, you must upload a PDF copy of the report when completing your application. AIC does not accept third party police checks from Triton, Certn, or Verifications Canada.

U.S residents must obtain an FBI or First Advantage criminal record check.

If you use the link to MyBackCheck from the AIC website, the Backcheck results are automatically shared with the AIC for viewing.

Otherwise, copies of MyBackCheck results are not accepted, as we must verify the results online from our end.

If the backcheck is not completed under that link, you are required to follow the below instructions to share the results with AIC:
1. Log into your BackCheck Account at www.mybackcheck.com
2. Click on “View & Share.”
3. Type name of the Organization: “Alberta Insurance Council”
4. Select your Role – Criminal Record Check Licensing
5. Acknowledge.
6. Confirm.
7. Click “Share Check.”

You must use Google Chrome as your browser. Please contact BackCheck directly if you require assistance navigating the process on their website.

The AIC MyBackCheck has a user guide designed specifically for the AIC that provides step-by-step instructions.

If the BackCheck was ordered on a platform that cannot be shared with the Alberta Insurance Council, your only option is to either:

• Obtain a new BackCheck document that can be shared

or

• Obtain a security clearance document from the RCMP or your local police that is less than three months old.

All other occupations or employment are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The Alberta Insurance Council does not maintain a list of “approved” or “unapproved” occupations. When you complete your application, you must answer “yes” to question 1 and under the response box, provide the following for each current employment/occupation:

1. name of your employer;
2. your title/position, and
3. a brief description of what your responsibilities include.

We will need to consider if your other employment or occupation either places you in a conflict-of-interest position or in a position to use coercion or undue influence to control, direct, or secure insurance business. These are criteria set out in the Insurance Agents and Adjusters Regulation.

You can also view Understanding Voluntary Undertaking Agreements for more information.

Click on “Invoices.” Then, click on the red “Open” status button. You have the option to “Pay with Credit Card” or “Pay with Money on Account” (if you have a credit on file).

Note: We only accept Visa or Mastercard.

Tip: Click the “Export as PDF” in the top if you wish to view/print the paid invoice(s).

If your sponsor or agency is paying, contact them to complete the payment process.

The payee (sponsor/agency) must follow these instructions:

1. The Designated Representative/sponsor of the agency/insurance company must log into the AIC Portal.
2. At the top left corner, place your mouse over your name on the top left-hand side to see the drop-down menu.
3. Click on business name in drop-down list in order to have access to the corporate dashboard.
4. Click on “Payments” on the left-hand side, then “Payables.”
5. Locate applicant’s name and place a check mark inside the box on the left to highlight the item.
6. Click on “Add to invoice.”
7. Click on “Add to” and in the drop-down list, select “New Invoice.”
8. Click on “Pay with Credit Card” at the top.

Note: Please enter the credit card number with no spaces.

Once you have selected the agency name/sponsoring company and saved the application, you cannot edit the record. Log into your AIC Profile and then:

1. Click on “Licenses” on the left and then “Applications.”
2. Locate your pending application. On the right-hand side under the Actions column, click on the blue notepad icon to view and open your application.
3. Click on the red “Delete application” at the top right corner.
4. Re-apply choosing the correct agency/sponsor name.

If you have already submitted your application to your Designated Representative/sponsoring insurance company, you can no longer delete the application. Contact the DR/sponsor and ask that they “decline” or “send back” the application to you so that you can delete it.

The fees you paid for your certificate will be refunded if your application is not processed. If you overpaid, the Alberta Insurance Council will refund any fees that are not used.

We will not retain fees on file for you to use at a future date. All refunds are done by cheque.

View the AIC Terms of Use and Refund Policy for more information.

No. Fees for certificates are not pro-rated.

All fees are set out in accordance with the Certificate Expiry, Penalties and Fees Regulation. The date that you apply on and are issued your certificate of authority will determine the amount that the Council requires to process your application.

For previous holders of a Life, Accident & Sickness, General, or Adjusters license: in order to be exempt from having to re-write the qualifying exam, AIC must receive your paid and approved application (i.e. the application status must state “Under review with AIC”) within 24 months of the date you last held the license.

Yes, the licensed individual can provide a written and signed PDF letter to terminations@abcouncil.ab.ca requesting the suspension of the license. The letter must indicate your full name, license number, effective date, and reason for suspension.

Upon receipt of the notification, AIC will suspend the applicable certificate(s). Please include your full name and CIPR number with your request.

The AIC requires a written letter on official letterhead that is signed by an authorized person of your business/insurance company within 14 days. The letter must provide the reason for the termination and effective date and should be scanned as a PDF and emailed to terminations@abcouncil.ab.ca. Please include the agent’s full name and license and/or CIPR number.

If an insurer that has recommended an agent to be issued a certificate cancels the recommendation or if the contract is no longer in force, the insurer must immediately notify AIC. Upon receipt of that notification, AIC will suspend the applicable certificate(s).

Follow the instructions below to update the E&O policy information in your license record:

• Login into the AIC Portal
• Click on the arrow icon to the right of your name to switch to your corporate screen (Note: This step is only for DRs of businesses)
• Click on the green “Active Licenses”
• Select the license(s) you wish to add Errors and Omissions to (by clicking the box on the left of each license record)
• On the top right of the screen, click “Review” and “Add Errors and Omissions Policies”
• Click on “Specify a Policy to Add”
• Enter new “Errors and Omissions Policy information
• Click “Save Changes”
• Click “Save Change to All Licenses” (scroll to the end of all licenses)