If you’re licensed as an insurance agent in BC, you need to get a certain amount of Continuing Education credits (BC CE credits) per year to maintain your license. And it’s not just there to be a burden, brokers need to get Continuing Education credits to make sure that they’re up-to-date with the latest products and are continuing to develop themselves professionally.
HOW MANY BC CE CREDITS DO I NEED?
The number of BC CE credits you need depend on the number of years you’ve been licensed and whether you hold any professional designations.
If you have been licensed for less than 5 out of the last 7 years, you will need to get 8 BC CE credits per year.
If you have been licensed for more than 5 of the last 7 years, you will only need 6.
If you hold a CAIB Designation, you will only need 4 BC CE credits.
DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT MY CE CREDIT CERTIFICATES?
No, you do not need to submit your certificates with your annual filing. But you will need to keep good records in case the Insurance Council decides to do a CE Audit.
If you receive a CE Audit Letter from Council, you will need to show the list of courses you’ve completed and the hours given for each, a copy of the certificate (or other evidence of attendance), and evidence that the course meets technical education requirements for your license type (ie. a course outline or agenda).
You should also keep a record of the course provider’s name and course title.
DO LICENSING COURSES COUNT FOR CE CREDITS?
If the course was taken to upgrade your license (ie. from a Level 1 to 2 or 2 to 3) then you can use it for credits.
WHAT ARE MY CE CREDIT REQUIREMENTS IF MY LICENSE IS SUSPENDED OR INACTIVE?
You will still need to meet your CE credit requirements.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
The Insurance Council of BC has a convenient CE Credit FAQ available on their website. Or if you have any other questions, let me know. I’ll be happy to help.
