General Insurance licenses
Apply for a General Insurance license:
- As an employee of an insurance company (must be recommended by a licensed insurance company in Alberta)
- An employee or independent contractor of a licensed agency (must be recommended by the General Level 3 Designated Representative)
General license levels
The Alberta Insurance Council offers three levels of general insurance agent licenses, plus a probationary option, based on the average Canadian brokerage and/or agency.
Probationary General license: This allows a new person to act as an agent prior to completing the Level 1 agent exam, through an agency or insurer. The probationary agent must act under the direct supervision of a Level 2 or Level 3 agent and the license expires in 90 days if the agent does not apply for a Level 1 license by passing the required exam. It can only be issued once for any individual.
Level 1: When the individual has passed the required Level 1 exam after qualifying for the mandatory General Level Qualification Program (GLQP). Holders of a Level 1 certificate are subject to the ongoing supervision of the holder of a Level 2 or Level 3 Designated Representative certificate in accordance with standards established by the Level 3 DR or by the insurer if the agent is an employee of the insurer.
Level 2: When the individual has passed the required Level 2 exam within the previous 12 months. If a new applicant intends to apply for this level, they must provide proof of passing the level 1 and 2 exams within 12 months from AIC receiving the approved applications.
Level 3 – Designated Representative (DR): The General Level 3 is solely for someone who would like to apply as the General Designated Representative (DR) of an agency, as we not have an exclusive Level 3 license. This person would have broad technical insurance knowledge and may act in the capacity of a manager or operator of a brokerage firm. There can only be one DR per business and per insurance class.
Course equivalencies
The General Insurance Council (GIC) has approved course equivalencies for the General Level 1, 2, and 3 exams. The course equivalency requirements, if met, are accepted in lieu of writing and passing the provincial exams in Alberta or holding an active license in another province.
A completed application, with applicable fees and proof of the course equivalencies, must be submitted to AIC for these qualifications to be considered.
a) Proof of passing the C11 (Principles and Practice of Insurance) (or credit granted) and C130 (Essential Skills for the Insurance Broker and Agent) courses of the Insurance Institute of Canada with proof that the last exam was passed within 12 months of the submission of an application for licensing to AIC, or
b) Proof of having the full Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation with proof that the last exam was passed within 12 months of the submission of an application for licensing to AIC, or
c) Proof of passing the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) 1 and 2 courses with proof that the last exam was passed within 12 months of the submission of an application for licensing to AIC, or
d) Proof of having the full CAIB designation with proof that the last exam was passed within 12 months of the submission of an application for licensing to AIC.
a) Proof of passing the following courses of the Insurance Institute of Canada: C11 (Principles and Practice of Insurance) (or credit granted); C131 (Advanced Skills for the Insurance Broker and Agent); and C130 (Essential Skills for the Insurance Broker and Agent) or C132 (Practical Issues in Broker Management) courses until July 1, 2021 (C130 after July 1, 2021) with proof that the last exam was passed within 12 months of the submission of an application for licensing to AIC, or
b) Proof of having the full CIP Designation with proof that the last exam was passed within 12 months of the submission of an application for licensing to AIC, or
c) Proof of passing the CAIB 1, 2, and 3 courses with proof that the last exam was passed within 12 months of the submission of an application for licensing to AIC, or
d) Proof of having the full CAIB designation with proof that the last exam was passed within 12 months of the submission of an application for licensing to the AIC.
a) Proof of passing the C11 (Principles and Practice of Insurance) (or credit granted), C130 (Essential Skills for the Insurance Broker and Agent), C131 (Advanced Skills for the Insurance Broker and Agent), and C132 (Practical Issues in Broker Management) courses of the Insurance Institute of Canada with proof that the last exam was passed within 12 months of the submission of an application for licensing to AIC or
b) Proof of having the full CIP designation or
c) Proof of having the full CAIB designation.
Changes to your license
Any change to a license (e.g. personal name; sponsorship; agency or license level) requires completing a new application, as this process is not automatic. A new criminal check is not required.
Representing multiple businesses
If you wish to represent more than one business, the Insurance Act requires you obtain a separate license for each business you wish to represent. This can be done by completing a new application and submitting the appropriate fees.
You will be required to comply with the duty of disclosure requirement set out in section 491 of the Insurance Act.
You may not be issued a license as an employee of an insurer and also be issued another license for the same class of license to represent an agency.
General Insurance FAQs
1. Log into the AIC Portal with your CIPR# or email address and password.
2. Click the green “Active Licenses” button.
3. Click “Apply for a License” in the top right of the screen.
- Select “I am applying for myself”
- Select the license class as per your sponsorship contract (e.g. general insurance probationary agent; general insurance – level 1; general insurance – level 2).
- If applying to represent a licensed agency: enter the business name (start typing the business name and select from drop-down list).
- If you are applying as an employee of an insurance company: you must leave the business name field blank and only indicate the name of your sponsor. Under “I will work,” select the second option, “for Insurance Company Name.”
5. Select “yes” to “I am changing one or more of the following: (license level, agency, sponsoring company, personal name).” This will ensure that your application fees are set as $25.
6. Select from the drop-down menu under “original license number” the license you intend to transfer/upgrade. Then click the blue “Continue” button and click “yes” to create application.
7. Fully complete each section of the application.
- Read and answer all questions from 1 to 10. If any questions are answered yes, enter the information in the box provided and an attachment (if required).
- If you are upgrading your license based on course equivalencies (CAIB or CIP) or are licensed in another jurisdiction for an equivalent license, attach proof of eligibility under question 3 of the application.
- If you are changing your name, ensure you have changed your name under your CIPR profile before completing this application. Then, answer “yes” to question 3 that asks, “Have you been licensed in Alberta or elsewhere?” Indicate that you are changing your name and upload proof of name change (e.g. government-issued ID such as driver’s license, marriage certificate, etc.).
- Click “Save Application” after each section as you complete your application.
8. Under the “Payment Option,” select “you are paying”; the fees will automatically be added to an invoice. We only accept Visa or Mastercard as payment methods and do not accept Visa Debit or Mastercard Debit payments.
9. Once the application is complete, click the green “Submit Application” button at the bottom of the application and a declaration box will pop up for you to complete.
10. Once approved by the sponsor (Designated Representative) and the fees have been paid, the application will be submitted to the Alberta Insurance Council for final review.
Note: A current criminal check will not be required if you are transferring or reinstating a license (e.g. re-applying in the same term).
Start here!
Take your first steps towards a license by reading up on the overall insurance license qualifications and requirements
Applying for a license