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CE Accreditation Q&A

To help applicants, CE accredited course providers and CE accredited individual courses better understand requirements to enter and maintain active status in the program, we have put together a list of questions and answers. Don't see your questions answered here?  Reach out to our Education team directly at accreditation@insurancecouncilofbc.com.

Q&A Topics

About the program

 

What are the benefits of applying to the CE Accreditation Program?
Licensees want certainty that if they take a course, it will count for CE credit. The CE accreditation program helps address this by providing a list of courses and course providers that have been accredited with the Insurance Council. All CE accredited course providers and CE accredited individual courses are listed on the Insurance Council website.


How are decisions made?
All applications are reviewed by a CE Accreditation Committee to ensure they meet the respective individual course/course provider accreditation guidelines. There is a committee each for life and accident & sickness insurance and general insurance/adjusters. The Committees are established by Insurance Council and members are composed of industry experts.
 

Applications and fees


What are the associated CE accreditation fees?
The current CE accreditation fees are:

CE Course Provider:
  • $650 for a three-year accreditation with an annual $150 administrative fee.
There are two fee structure options for CE accreditation for an individual course:
  • $200 for a one-year accreditation; or
  • $150 annually for a three-year accreditation.

The CE accreditation fees effective June 1, 2026 are:

CE Course Provider:
  • $690 for a three-year accreditation with an annual $160 administrative fee.
There are two fee structure options for CE accreditation for an individual course:
  • $210 for a one-year accreditation; or
  • $160 annually for a three-year accreditation.
Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.


How do I know if I'm eligible for CE ACP status?
Organizations seeking CE ACP status must consistently promote licensee competency and best practices through high-quality, industry-relevant courses and pay the required fee(s).

Additionally, course provider applicants would need to meet the following criteria:
  • Offer a minimum of five insurance industry courses at any given time that meet the course content requirements outlined in the Insurance Council’s CE guidelines or offer insurance designation programs or courses that lead to a recognized insurance designation.
  • Provide access to a current course offering for review as part of the application package.
  • Complete mandatory training for Accredited Course Providers within 30 days of application approval. Failure to complete the mandatory training within the specified timeframe will result in application revocation.
The Insurance Council will consider requests for accredited course provider status from insurers, agencies, and organizations that offer continuing education courses to BC licensed insurance agents, adjusters and salespersons, provided they meet the above criteria.

Please review our program guidelines for more information. Should you determine you are not eligible for ACP status, you have the option to apply for CE individual course accreditation.


When do I need to apply?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This means you can apply at any time throughout the year. Create an account and start your application here. If you are applying for a course with a specific go-live date in mind, it is recommended that you submit your application at least three months prior to go-live date to help ensure the application is reviewed in time. We cannot guarantee applications will be reviewed before a specific date.

Please note that accreditation of CE courses that have already taken place (retroactive CE accreditation) is not pertmitted. 
 
What is the timeline for review and approval?
The CE Accreditation Committees generally meet monthly to review applications. The processing time for applications varies depending on the completeness of an application. If there are any materials missing from the application, the processing time may increase.
 

I am ready to apply/re-apply


What are the application requirements?
All application requirements can be found in the Program Guidelines: Continuing Education Accreditation for Course Providers and Program Guidelines: Continuing Education Accreditation for Individual Courses.
 
Applicants are responsible for reviewing and meeting these guidelines prior to applying. Incomplete applications will result in processing time delays and/or denial.


How do I apply?
CE Accreditation applications are submitted through our Accreditation website only. Upon reviewing the program guidelines for Continuing Education Course Provider Accreditation and Continuing Education Accreditation for Individual Courses:
  • Ensure the application is completed in full and submit the application and fee through the Online Accreditation website. We have included a checklist below.
  • The CE Accreditation Committee will communicate application status to the applicant.
  • If an applicant is denied accreditation, the CE Accreditation Committee will notify the applicant and inform of any discrepancies.
  • CE Accredited course provider applicants are required to enter information about their organization, as well as submit information on a current course offering as a sample CE course as part of the application process.

 

What information do I need to provide as part of the application process?
The application should include the following information:

 

Application Checklist
Course Details
  • CE Course number and title
  • Instructor name
  • Provider/organization name
CE Course Information
  • Brief course description
  • Duration in hours/minutes, including CE credits
  • Target audience
  • Delivery method
  • Check to ensure that course material meets the Insurance Council’s continuing education requirements  
  • Check to ensure content has been vetted for accuracy and currency of information
Schedule Start and end date of the course
Documentation
  • Sample CE certificate
  • Detailed course outline/syllabus
  • Course presentation (including speaker notes if available)
Instructor Information Instructor bio and qualifications

My CE accreditation status is expirying/has expired. How do I re-apply?
Accredited Course Providers - To re-apply for ACP status, you will need to create a new acccount on the Accreditation website with a new email address. A generic, company-wide email address is recommended to ensure continuity and ease of access. Then complete the application, including paying the required fee. If your status is past expiry, you can still re-apply. However, it is important to ntoe that you cannot advertise your organization/course accredited after expiration.

Individual Course - Once a course accreditation term is nearing/has reached expiration and you wish to continue course accreditation, you can log into your accreditation applicant account and submit a new individual course application.

When should I re-apply for CE accreditation status?
Organizations with a 3-year accreditation term will receive a reminder email with instructions on re-application 90 days prior to expiry. We recommend re-applying at least 3 months prior to expiration to ensure sufficient time for your application to be reviewed before lapse in status. Your expiration date is displayed on your online account.

Best practices/Things to consider

 

Is assessment considered part of instructional time when calculating CE Credits?
The Insurance Council’s Continuing Education Guidelines includes assessment as part of “instructional time” and therefore assessment time should be included when calculating CE credits.
 
 
If the CE course content aligns with other provincial requirements, is it considered relevant for BC licensees?
Maybe. As outlined in the Continuing Education Guidelines, course content lacking relevance to insurance business or does not meet BC licensee requirements nor CE technical content, consequently, won't be accepted. Licensees must uphold knowledge pertinent to their licence class to ensure they offer appropriate recommendations meeting their clients' needs. Review the Insurance Council’s technical content requirements in the CE Guidelines.
 
 
What is CE accreditation by proxy and is it permissible?
CE Accreditation by proxy is extending CE accreditation status to a non-accredited third-party organization by the CE accredited course provider. For example, if a CE accredited course provider is hosting/advertising a course by a non-accredited provider, the course/course provider cannot be advertised as accredited by the Insurance Council of BC. CE Accreditation by proxy is not permissible. As a CE accredited course provider, your authority is limited to accrediting CE courses either independently developed or co-developed in collaboration with another CE accredited course provider. Only such CE courses can be officially accredited and promoted by the designated ACP. Please contact accreditation@insurancecouncilofbc.com with questions.
 

Approved CE ACP and CE Individual Course FAQ's

 

How long is a CE course provider accredited for?
CE Course providers are accredited for three (3) years. During the period of accreditation, ACPs who fail to comply with the Insurance Council’s CE requirements, fail to comply with the CE accreditation program guidelines, or become unresponsive to inquiries from the Insurance Council, will have their CE ACP status revoked and will no longer be allowed to present themselves as an accredited course provider in British Columbia.
 

How long is a CE individual course accredited for?
There are two options:

  • One (1) year CE accreditation;
  • Three (3) year CE accreditation.

CE accreditation length is chosen at the time of applying, please note that once the application has been submitted the length of CE accreditation/fee amount cannot be changed.
 
 
What does it mean to self-accredit your CE courses and what resources are available?
As an ACP you are responsible for self-accrediting your CE courses. This means reviewing your existing CE course catalogue and any new CE courses you develop to ensure that the course content meets the CE guidelines, that the CE credits are assigned to the course appropriately and that the target audience is correct.

How to submit your ACP course catalogue
A step-by-step guide on how to submit your course catalogue.
Login to your account

Can I modify an existing self-accredited CE course?

Yes, major course changes require the course to be re-evaluated by your organization for self-accreditation.
Major changes could include:
  • Changes in course content
  • Changes in credit hours
  • Changes to course length
  • Changes in course name 

 
I am a CE accredited course provider; can I self-accredit CE courses that took place prior to my accreditation status being granted?
CE Accreditation is not retroactive. CE Courses taking place on or after you have received accreditation status are valid provided they have been reviewed and self-accredited by your organization. However courses with completion dates prior to the date of accreditation cannot be accredited. 
 
For example: No Name Provider received CE accreditation status January 2, 2023, any courses offered or completed prior to that date cannot be advertised as accredited or be self-accredited by No Name Provider as accreditation is not retroactive. If the course was created prior to CE accreditation status, and continues to be offered, then No Name Provider can review it to ensure it meets all Guidelines and advertise it as accredited going forward.

CE Course Provider Audits

As per the Program Guidelines: Continuing Education Accreditation for Course Providers, the Insurance Council “reserves the right to monitor, review or audit the content and delivery of course material at any time” and if necessary, revoke course provider status.
 

What is the purpose of the audit?
The purpose of the course provider audit is to ensure continued compliance with program guidelines and as an opportunity to provide best practice. Audits allow the Insurance Council to have a touchpoint with course providers during their term of accreditation, and serve as an opportunity to identify any potential gaps and share best practice and resources so the course provider continues to uphold the integrity of the Continuing Education Accreditation Program.
 

Who is subject to an audit?
Any Insurance Council CE Accredited Course Provider and/or CE Individual Course Provider may be subject to an audit under the CE Accreditation Program. Audits occur during the period of the CE accreditation term and are conducted at random.
 

What is the audit process for CE Course Providers?
CE Course providers selected for an audit will receive an email with a letter outlining instructions, as well as self-assessment forms. Based on responses received, staff may reach out for more information or to clarify responses. CE Course providers will receive communication of the audit outcome once decision has been made. It is important the course provider maintain up-to-date contact information in their online application portal. CE Course providers are required to respond to and engage in the audit process as per their status conditions.