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2025 Council Rule Amendments

Consultation on Council Rule Amendments:

Rule 2(3), 2(4), 2(5)(c), 2(11)(c) 
Rule 5(1)(p)
Council Rules Course Definition
On this page:
 

Overview

The Insurance Council is proposing amendments to Rule 2(3), 2(4), 2(5) and 2(11)(c), an amendment to Rule 5(1)(p), and an adjustment to the Council Rules Course definition. We are seeking feedback from licensees and stakeholders on the proposed amendments:   

  • Rule 2(3), 2(4), 2(5)(c) and 2(11)(c) – enables the use of a competency framework for general insurance licensure.
  • Rule 5(1)(p) - defines the range of fees for accrediting courses from education providers.   
  • Council Rules Course – updates the definition to more accurately reflect current practices.

Current Status

The consultation on proposed amendments is now closed (November 14, 2025). Thank you to everyone who provided input.

Council will review all input submitted when reviewing the proposed Rule amendments and determining next steps. If Council decides to submit a package of proposed amendments to the Minister of Finance, submissions containing verifiable information will be included.

Proposed Rule Wording

How to read the proposed amendments to the Rule:

  • Bolded text represents the addition of proposed wording.
  • Text that has been struck out represents wording proposed for removal.

See the proposed rule wording

Rule 2(3), 2(4), 2(5)(c) and 2(11)(c)

Background

In July 2025 the Insurance Council approved the complete General Insurance Competency Framework (GICF) with competencies and indicators, which establishes base skills, knowledge, and abilities for general insurance agents in BC. The framework was developed with input from industry, subject matter experts, education providers, and other regulators.  
 
The objective of introducing general insurance competency standards is to ensure qualified, professional, and competent insurance agents meet British Columbians’ insurance needs. The Insurance Council is working with regulatory counterparts to determine how the framework could align with their requirements to support a common standard for general insurance agents and support labour mobility. 
 
To support the introduction of the GICF, the Insurance Council is introducing amendments to Rule 2 that reflect the standards outlined in the framework. Specifically, language that broadens and clarifies courses that are eligible for licensure, introducing education currency requirements, and new requirements to be eligible to be nominated as a Nominee.

Summary of proposed amendments and changes

Rule 2(3), 2(4) and 2(5)(c)
What are the proposed amendments?
Proposed Rule wording
  • Removes limitations on which course providers can offer Level 1, 2 and 3 pre-licensure education. 

    Please note, previous course providers identified in the Rules can still be eligible to provide pre-licensure training, providing they gain accreditation within the one-year transition period. The amendment broadens who may qualify as an education provider, potentially giving licensees more choice in their education path.
  • The amendment to Rule 2(5)(c) introduces an education currency requirement for Level 3 licences where an individual must apply for licensure within one year of completing eligible courses. This is consistent with existing requirements for Level 1 and 2.
What is the rationale?
  • The amendments will allow additional courses/providers to submit content for accreditation and creates more flexibility for future and current licensees for how they attain the education required for licensure. 
  • A one-year currency requirement for Level 3 is consistent with the requirements identified for Level 1 and 2. Through consultation with industry experts it was determined a one-year education currency requirement is an appropriate length of time to be able to maintain the knowledge acquired through course work and ensure the knowledge remains relevant.
  • To enable standards identified in the GICF and support labour mobility between jurisdictions.
Are there any impacts?

  • There is no additional education required for a general insurance licence. The standards established by the competency framework will be incorporated through updates to educational material for pre-licensure.

  • Licensees would not need to retake qualifying education to maintain their current licence. When the new education requirements are in effect, a licensee seeking to upgrade their licence will need to meet the new education requirements which will be reflected in accredited courses.

  • There will be a one-year transition period for general insurance course providers to update content to meet standards established by the GICF and gain accreditation. 
  • Currently, the proposed amendments do not have any impact for BC resident licensees seeking licences in other jurisdictions. There would be no impacts to non-resident BC licensees seeking a licence from the Insurance Council assuming they hold a licence in good standing in their home jurisdiction. For Level 3 licensees there is still a requirement to complete the Level 3 Supervision Course.   
Provide feedback

Rule 2(11)(c)
What are the proposed amendments?
Proposed Rule wording
  • Requires the completion of courses identified by Council in addition to the current requirement to complete the Nominee Course.
  • Introduces an education currency requirement where Nominees must successfully complete courses identified by Council within one year prior to nomination, consistent with current Level 1 & 2 requirements and requirements proposed for Level 3.
  • Creates a requirement to pass any relevant qualification examinations if determined by Council, which aligns with requirements for other general insurance licenses.
What is the rationale?
  • The amendments clarify the course requirements for the role of nominee and align the requirements with other licence levels.
  • Introduces changes to the Rules which reflect the importance and responsibility of this role in the insurance industry by requiring defined education requirements.
  • The amendments support nominees’ understanding of their obligations and duties, which in turn supports regulatory compliance and public protection.
  • Enables the standards identified in the General Competency Framework and enhances labour mobility between jurisdictions.
What are the impacts
  • The amendments will apply to new nominee appointments.  
  • Individuals that move or add agencies who completed the required nominee courses within the past two years will not need to retake them.
  • The amended rules do not apply to nominees who remain with their current agency and who do not switch or add new ones.
  • The provision for a qualification exam would give Council the ability to require successful completion of a qualification exam(s) to  be approved as a nominee should this practice be introduced in future. This would align with existing exam provisions in the Rules for Level 1-3 licences.
Provide feedback

Rule 5(1)(p)

Background
Council Rule 5 determines when the Insurance Council can apply a fee, and how much it can charge. The proposed amendment would establish a service fee to recuperate costs associated with managing course accreditation applications. The proposed amendment defines a fee range, intended to allow varying types of fee structures associated with different accreditation programs. The specific fee would be established by Council’s annual budget within the range and would reflect the resources required to evaluate the course content.
What is the proposed amendment?
Proposed Rule wording
  • The amendment establishes a fee range for evaluating and approving course material submitted by third-party course providers for accreditation.
  • The fee range establishes a maximum of $25,000, but actual fees charged to course providers will vary depending on the content and the complexity of the course material and the fee structure for the applicable accreditation program.  
What is the rationale?
  • Establishing a fee would enable a cost recovery mechanism for the administration and processing of applications that can support the sustainability of the Insurance Council’s accreditation program. This aligns with Council’s approach to fiscal responsibility for its programs.
  • Introducing a fee range rather than detailed costs for specific courses is intended to allow flexibility for how it would apply for different accreditation programs and future courses.   
Are there any impacts?
  • The amendment to Rule 5 applies only to course providers who submit content for accreditation.
  • As the cost reflects a fee for service model, the amendment does not impact licensees annual licence renewal costs or other fees identified in Rule 5.
Provide feedback

Definition of Council Rules Course

Background
The definition section of the Council Rules identifies specific terminology used in this document and defines the use of  these terms. We regularly review the definitions to ensure they accurately reflect Council’s practice and interpretation of the term.
 
This review process identified that the definition for the "Council Rules Course" should be updated  to better reflect its current usage and provide additional clarity about what the course is.
 
What is the proposed amendment?
Proposed definition wording
  • The amendment clarifies the definition of the "Council Rules Course" to reference the Council Rules, Code of Conduct, legislation and other regulatory requirements.
What is the rationale?
  • To provide clarity for what content is covered within the course.
  • To more accurately reflect the broader use of the "Council Rules Course" as a pre-licensure requirement, continuing education, or as a disciplinary measure.
  • To prevent confusion with other courses introduced by the Insurance Council and to prevent conflicting interpretations of the definition.
Provide feedback

Rule Amendment Process

Proposed amendments to the Insurance Council Rules are subject to public consultation as outlined in the Financial Institutions Act. Following a minimum 60-day consultation period, responses will be provided to voting members of Council. Council will then decide if the draft amendments require any revision and if they are prepared to submit them for ministerial approval. If so, the proposed amendments and a summary of consultation feedback will be sent to the Minister of Finance for consideration. Submissions that include verifiable contact information (name, email, business) will be included in the package sent to the ministry for consideration.
 

How to provide your feedback

The consultation on proposed Rule amendments is now closed (November 14, 2025). Thank you to everyone who provided input.

All feedback about the proposed rule changes will be considered by the Insurance Council at the close of consultation. If Council decides to submit a package of proposed amendments to the Minister of Finance, submissions containing verifiable information (name, email, business) will be included.

As a public body, the Insurance Council of BC is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and other provincial and federal privacy regulation. 
 

Contact us

For questions about the proposed Rule changes or stakeholder engagement please contact us at: rules.consult@insurancecouncilofbc.com