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Accreditation Q&A

To help applicants, accredited course providers and accredited indvidual 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

 

If accreditation is not mandatory, what is the incentive for seeking accreditation?
Licensees have expressed they want clarity around what courses qualify toward meeting their licence requirements. They want certainty that if they take a course, it will count for credit. The accreditation program helps address this by providing a list of courses and course providers that have been approved by the Insurance Council. We also heard from course providers who are in support of this program. All accredited course providers and accredited individual courses are listed on the Insurance Council website.


How are accreditation decisions made?
All applications are reviewed by an Accreditation Committee that is established by the Insurance Council 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. Committee members are composed of industry experts.
 

Applications and fees


What are the associated accreditation fees?
The accreditation fees for a course provider are:
  • $500 for a three-year accreditation with an annual $100 administrative fee.
There are two fee structure options for accreditation for an individual course:
  • $150 for a one-year accreditation; or
  • $100 annually for a three-year accreditation, for a total of $300.
Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.


How do I know if I'm eligible for ACP status?
Organizations seeking 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 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.
 
 
How long will my application take to be approved?
The Review Committees will 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


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?
Accreditation applications are submitted through our Online Accreditation website only. Upon reviewing the program guidelines for Continuing Education Course Provider Accreditation and Continuing Education Accreditation for Individual Courses:
  • Ensure the requested accredit information is completed in full and submit the request application and fee through the Online Accreditation website. We have included a checklist below.
  • Once the application has been received, the processing time varies depending on the completeness of application. If there are any materials missing from the application, the processing time may increase.
  • The Accreditation Committee will communicate application status to the applicant.
  • If an applicant is denied accreditation, the Accreditation Committee will notify the applicant and inform of any discrepancies.
  • 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 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
  • Course number and title
  • Instructor name
  • Provider/organization name
Course Information
  • Brief course description
  • Duration in hours/minutes, including CE credits
  • Target audience
  • Delivery method
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
 
 

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 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 accreditation by proxy and is it permissible?
Accreditation by proxy is extending accreditation status to a non-accredited third-party organization by the accredited course provider. For example, if an 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. Accreditation by proxy is not permissible. As an accredited course provider, your authority is limited to accrediting courses either independently developed or co-developed in collaboration with another accredited course provider. Only such courses can be officially accredited and promoted by the designated ACP. Please contact accreditation@insurancecouncilofbc.com for questions.
 

Approved ACP and Individual Course FAQ's

 

How long is a course provider accredited for?
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 accreditation program guidelines, or become unresponsive to inquiries from the Insurance Council, will have their ACP status revoked and will no longer be allowed to present themselves as an accredited course provider in British Columbia.
 

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

  • One (1) year accreditation; with a one-time fee of $150.
  • Three (3) year accreditation; with a $100 annual fee, for a total of $300.

Accreditation length is chosen at the time of applying, please note that once the application has been submitted the length of accreditation/fee amount cannot be changed.
 
 
What does it mean to self-accredit your courses?
As an ACP you are responsible for self-accrediting your courses. This means reviewing your existing course catalogue and any new 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.
 
 
What resources are available for self-accrediting courses?

 
 
As an accredited course provider, am I required to provide a list of self-accredited courses to the Insurance Council?
Yes, you are required to provide the Insurance Council with a list of self-accredited courses. The mandatory ACP training outlines the procedure for this submission. Following your provision of the list, we will upload the courses to the accreditation management website.
 
 
Can I modify an existing self-accredited 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

 
 
I am an accredited course provider; can I self-accredit courses that took place prior to my accreditation status being granted?
Course accreditation is not retroactive. Courses taking place on or after you have received accreditation status are valid provided, they meet the CE Guidelines, however courses with completion dates prior to the date of accreditation cannot be accredited. 
 
For example: No Name Provider received accreditation status January 2, 2023, therefore 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 a course was offered prior to January 2, 2023, it can still be a valid CE course if it meets the Insurance Council’s Continuing Education Guidelines. If the course was created prior to accreditation status, and continues to be offered (without substantial content change as defined in the Program Guidelines for Continuing Education Accreditation for Individual Courses), then No Name Provider can review it to ensure it meets all Guidelines and advertise it as accredited.

Continuing Education Accredited Course Provider Audits

As per the Continuing Education for Course Providers Program Guidelines, 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 accredited 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 accredited 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 accredited course provider continues to uphold the integrity of the Continuing Education Accreditation Program.
 

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

What is the audit process for Accredited Course Providers (ACPs)?
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. 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. Course providers are required to respond to and engage in the audit process as per their ACP status conditions.