Meet your Continuing Education Requirements by May 31, 2025
Published April 8, 2025
The annual deadline for licensees* to meet their Continuing Education (CE) requirements is May 31. Detailed CE requirements, including information for non-BC resident licensees, is available on the CE Requirements section of the Insurance Council website.
Licensees are required to have met both their CE and errors & omissions (E&O) insurance requirements in order to renew their licence. Annual licence renewal is now open and closes June 1, 2025; however, licensees can only renew after they have met their CE and E&O insurance requirements and licensees are required to submit declarations confirming they have met their requirements before they are able to proceed with their annual licence renewal.
We’ve included some common CE questions with answers below. Be sure to also review the Continuing Education pages on Insurance Council’s website, as you’ll find many helpful resources and tools there, including more Q&A:
Q: I completed courses before becoming licensed with Insurance Council. Do these courses count towards meeting my CE requirements?
A: No, the courses you take to become licensed or before becoming licensed are not considered continuing education. The spirit of continuing education is for licensees to enhance and continue their insurance knowledge. Only technical courses that meet Insurance Council's CE requirements and which are taken after your licence is issued may be claimed for CE credits.
Q: Can I complete my CE credits after I submit my renewal, providing I’ve completed them by the May 31st deadline date:?
A: No, per Rule 4(4), licensees must have met their CE requirements prior to renewing their licence so, there is no option for a licensee to renew their licence without having fully met their CE requirements.
Q: If I submit a late annual licence renewal, does that allow me additional time to complete my CE?
A: No. Continuing education must be completed for each licence period, that is by May 31 each year, and the related requirements must be met prior to completing annual licence renewal. Licensees who do not meet their CE requirements by May 31st and per the CE Guidelines for their licence class will be in breach of Insurance Council Rules and Code of Conduct. Licensees who submit a late annual licence renewal and who completed their CE requirements after May 31st will still be required to confirm they met their CE requirements but must also explain the non-compliance. Proof of meeting CE requirements must be maintained and provided to the Insurance Council, if requested.
Q: How do I know if the course I’m taking is eligible for CE credit?
A: The Insurance Council introduced an accreditation program in 2022 that allows education providers to apply to be an accredited course provider (ACP) or education providers to apply to accredit their individual courses. By taking an Insurance Council accredited course or one offered by an ACP, you’ll have the confidence of knowing the courses will meet CE requirements. A list of accredited course providers and an accredited individual course list are available on the CE Accreditation Program page of our website.
If your course is not offered by an Insurance Council of BC accredited course provider, then you must assess the course content (e.g., review course objectives, learning outcomes, course description) yourself to ensure it aligns with and meets the criteria for acceptable CE technical content per the CE Guidelines for your class of licence. If you continue to have questions about whether a course qualifies under the CE requirements, you may contact the Practice & Quality Assurance team.
Q: I’m a non-resident licensee, am I required to meet the Insurance Council of BC CE Requirements?
A: Non-resident licensees whose home jurisdiction does not have a mandatory continuing education requirement are required to meet the Insurance Council of BC’s requirements. Non-resident licensees whose home jurisdiction has a mandatory continuing education requirement are not required to meet Insurance Council’s requirements, provided they are meeting the CE requirements of their home jurisdiction and keep their licence there in good standing, and they are a resident of a Canadian province other than British Columbia. Licensees whose home residence is located outside of a Canadian province would be required to meet Insurance Council of BC CE requirements.
Q: How and when do I submit my CE certificates or CE records to Insurance Council?
A: You are not required to submit your CE records to the Insurance Council unless you are audited or are specifically requested to do so, but you must keep a record of your CE for five licence periods (from June 1-May 31 for five years). If you are subject to an audit of your CE requirements, you will be asked to provide copies of your CE records, such as providing information about the course content in addition to proof of attendance or course completion.
*Travel agency salespersons and employees who meet the licensing exemption requirements have until December 31, 2025 to complete their CE credits. For more information review the Continuing Education Guidelines Program for Travel Agencies and Insurance Council Practice Advisory Notice ICN-005-001.
Licensees with extenuating circumstances (such as unforeseen medical conditions or significant family circumstances) who are not working or are on leave should contact the Practice and Quality and Assurance team early to ensure there is enough time to review their situation and consider what next steps, if any, are available to support them in meeting their requirements or avoiding lapses in licensure/cancellation.
Looking for more CE Resources?
If you have questions about your ongoing licensing and practice, regulatory or compliance requirements, contact our Practice & Quality Assurance team. We’re here to help. Email us at practice@insurancecouncilofbc.com or call us at 604-695-2008 or 1-877-688-0321.