Virtual proctoring works by taking your exam using your own computer or laptop in a private location like your home. A live proctor monitors you taking your exam through your webcam and microphone. They will also help you troubleshoot any technical issues if necessary. Your entire exam session will be recorded, and any unusual behaviour will be flagged. You are expected to abide by the Requirements and Rules for Writing an Examination when taking a Virtually proctored exam.

Before your exam day, you will have the opportunity to test your computer to ensure it meets the necessary specifications. You will also need to download and install ProctorU's Guardian Browser before exam day and some additional software during the exam set up process on exam day. Downloading the Guardian Browser takes 1-2 minutes. Please make sure that the laptop you are using allows for the download and installation of software. Only Windows and Mac Operating Systems are supported. IIC highly recommends that you use a personal computer or laptop that allows you to download and install software.

On exam day, you will need to go through a series of steps to set up your computer for Virtual proctoring. You will be required to download and install a small chat application to complete the connection to your proctor and to grant the proctor access to your webcam and microphone.

The Insurance Institute of Canada has an agreement with the third-party proctoring service provider regarding protecting the privacy of the recordings, and other personal information. Read their Terms of Service here.

To write your virtually proctored exam, you will need:

Use the best internet connection possible. A connection failure or interruption can interfere with or even end your exam session. Take these steps to avoid disconnection:

•   Use a wired internet connection rather than WiFi.
•   If using WiFi, tell other household members to not use the internet during your exam. Place the desk and computer/laptop you will use during the exam as close to the router as possible.
•   Disconnect any VPNs if you have them; ProctorU virtual proctoring service does not work with VPN connections.

Click the links to read more information about Equipment Requirements & Troubleshooting and Virtual Proctoring.

1. Download the Guardian Browser. You will take your exam using the Guardian Browser (and not the ProctorU extension). Read the printable PDF IIC Guardian Browser Student Guide for step-by-step instructions to download the Guardian Browser before exam day and how to use it on exam day. On exam day, you will also be required to install a small application to complete your connection to your proctor.

2. Log in to the IIC Exam Portal using your Member ID and password. Click “Test It Out” at the bottom of the page to test your equipment. If you did not install the Guardian Browser in advance, you will be asked to install it before testing your equipment. Make sure your webcam and microphone are set to the camera and microphone you plan to use for your exam session. Note that you cannot use a headset during the exam. We encourage you to test your system well in advance of your exam and again on exam day within 4 hours of your exam start time.

Passing the “Test It Out” and/or successfully downloading the Guardian Browser/Log Me In chat application in advance of exam day do not guarantee that the exam will successfully launch. Proctors will assist in finding solutions for issues that arise.

3. Prepare the room where you will take your exam. Read about Unpermitted Testing Locations (available in English only). Watch the Candidate Experience Video for more information.

You do not need a ProctorU account or the ProctorU extension to take your IIC exam.

To access your exam, you will need:

10 minutes before your scheduled exam start time, log in to the IIC Exam Portal and click “Launch exam” when the countdown timer reaches 0:00:00. The Guardian Browser that you previously downloaded and installed will open so you can access your exam.

Watch the Test-Taker Experience video and read more information about Exam Day (What to expect). Remember, do not create a ProctorU account.

Exam Do's

Sit in a well-lit indoor room. Sit with your back to the main door of the room.

Keep your laptop on a clutter-free desk.

Sit in a well lit indoor room.

Only use one monitor display.

Exam Don'ts

Don’t sit on a bed, couch, sofa or the floor.

Don’t eat during the exam. Water is allowed.

Don’t wear headphones or hats.

Don't sit in a room with a third party during exam, including children & pets.

Important information

When you click the Launch Exam button, you are not yet starting your exam, you are starting the onboarding process for the proctoring service. On average it takes 5 to 15 minutes to connect to a proctor, but it may take as much as 45 minutes during busy times. Please be patient and do not refresh your screen.
  •  Perform a system test approximate 4-hours before your scheduled exam time.
  •  Give yourself a minimum of four hours from start to finish as it may take some time to set-up and connect to a proctor.
  •  Shut down all programs and restart your computer before you launch your exam and start the onboarding process.
  •  Connect to the internet via a wired connection (i.e. Ethernet connection), if possible. Wi-fi connections generally carry a higher risk of disruption.

We strongly recommend you use a personal computer/laptop to take your exam. You must be able to download and install ProctorU’s Guardian Browser and a LogMeIn chat application. Work computers/laptops are often incompatible with ProctorU’s systems and prevent software downloading and installation due to firewalls, security features, updates, etc.

If you must use a work computer/laptop, below are some additional configuration recommendations to reduce the risk of technical issues.

• Disable any applicable browser or internet firewall settings.

• Make sure that you are not connected to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and that desktop sharing or remote desktop applications are closed and disabled.

• Ensure that you are not using a web browser with proprietary security settings established by your company.

• Disable notifications (emails, meeting requests, etc.) on your email account before initiating the check-in process.

• Disable any applicable software designed to record or monitor your screen.

• Disable any content filters that may interfere with the launch of the exam.

• Ensure that you have the appropriate user rights on your computer that are needed to download and install applications.

• Use the latest instructions to download and install the Guardian Browser.

• Check the Guardian Browser Client Port/Protocol and Allow List Information.

Before exam day, we strongly recommend that you contact your organization’s IT support representative to ensure the changes have been made.

Note that passing the ProctorU system check and completing all the steps above does not guarantee that your work computer/laptop will successfully download the Guardian Browser and/or the LogMeIn chat application on exam day. Additionally, successfully downloading the Guardian Browser and/or the LogMeIn chat application in advance of exam day does not guarantee that the exam will successfully launch. Using a work computer/laptop is at your own risk and there may be a fee to reschedule if your exam fails to launch successfully.

Before connecting to a proctor, contact ProctorU technical support by clicking the Support Chat icon in the top left of the Guardian Browser. Alternatively, you can contact ProctorU by phone at 1-855-772-8678, Option 1 or click the blue chat icon in the bottom right hand corner to connect with ProctorU Support.

Once you’ve started your exam setup process, you will have access to ProctorU’s proctors. The proctors should be your first point of contact if technical issues occur during the exam. Contact your proctor by speaking aloud or typing a message in the Proctor chat box. If the box is closed, click on the Owl icon in your taskbar or dock to re-open it.

Please be patient as connecting to a proctor can take 5 – 45 minutes.

On exam day, contact IIC Member Services if have contacted ProctorU technical support and they are unable to help you when you:
•   lose internet connection during the setup process and your session time expires
•   have technical issues or are unable to complete the setup process

Member Services: 1-866-362-8585 or iicmail@insuranceinstitute.ca

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST

IIC will have limited support capability available for test takers on weekends and holidays. 

The Insurance Institute offers the following online virtually proctored licensing exams. Follow the links for more information, including instructions on how to register for your exam.

• Insurance Institute of British Columbia Level 1 licensing exam
• Insurance Institute of Saskatchewan Level 1 licensing exam
• Insurance Institute of Manitoba Level 1 licensing exam
• Ontario OTL Agent licensing exam
• Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario exams
• Insurance Institute of New Brunswick C81, C82 licensing exam
• Insurance Institute of Nova Scotia Level 1 licensing exam
• Insurance Institute of Newfoundland & Labrador Level 1 licensing exam

Licensing Exam Policies

Candidates are expected to abide by all OTL Agent/Level 1 Examination Rules and Regulations.

Click here to view RIBO exam policies.

OTL Agent/Level 1 Examinations

Rescheduling an exam
Candidates may reschedule an exam up to 24 hours prior to the exam start time at no charge. Log in to the Institute's exam portal and select Reschedule.
If less than 24 hours' notice is provided, contact your local Institute to arrange for a new registration. The original proctor fee is not refundable.

Cancellation
To cancel a scheduled exam, contact your local institute at least 24 hours prior to the exam start time. The proctor fee is non-refundable if less than 24 hours' notice is provided. Other fees may also apply – contact your local institute for more information.

Absence
A candidate will be marked absent if they fail to log in to their exam at the scheduled start time. Contact your local Institute to arrange for a new registration. The original proctor fee is not refundable.

Accommodation requests
Limited accommodations may be provided in the online format. Contact your local Institute to obtain an Accommodation Request form. Submit the form no later than two weeks prior to your scheduled exam date. Your request and documentation will be evaluated, and you will be notified by email if approved.

System requirements
It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that they can meet the system requirements necessary to write the exam. If an exam cannot be completed due to a technical issue related to the candidate's system, the proctor fee is non-refundable. Contact your local Institute immediately for instructions.

Failure to book exam
Exams must be written within the dates specified in the registration. If a candidate fails to book by the last day of the registration period, the exam fee is non-refundable. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact your local Institute for more information.

• Online OTL & Level 1 Agent/Broker Examination Policies


• FAQs for online OTL& Level 1 Agent/Broker licensing exams


• OTL Exam Day Troubleshooting Guide