Licensing Information for Newcomers

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New to the Industry? Here's everything you need to know.


The Alberta Insurance Council (AIC) is the regulatory body that oversees insurance licensing in the province of Alberta.  Below you will find information on the licensing process in Alberta.

Select your area of interest:

• Broker or Agent
• Independent Adjuster
• Company or Staff Adjuster
• Underwriter
• Life and Accident & Sickness

General Licensing: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3

For full information about General Licensing consult these areas of the Alberta Insurance Council website:

Requirements for Certification
General Licensing Exams
Content of General Licensing Exams - Curriculum Design Document

90-Day Probationary Certificate:  If you are just starting out at a brokerage or agency, you are eligible to apply for a  probationary certificate.  This certificate is valid for only 90 days and only once.  Within the 90 days you must receive your General Level 1 license.

General Level 1 Certificate:  In order to be able to service the insurance-buying public, you must have your General Level 1 certificate.  In order to receive your GenL1 certificate, you must receive 70% or more on the AIC GenL1licensing exam and have secured appropriate employment in the industry. You have three opportunities to pass the exam after which you will be required to wait six months before trying again.

If you are currently looking for a role in a sales or service capacity in the property and casualty insurance industry, having passed the GenL1 licensing exam would be looked on favourably by a prospective employer.  However, all employers will provide the opportunity for new employees to quickly secure their GenL1 certificate as it is required before an employee can service customers.  

General Level 2 Certificate:  Progressing to the next level of licensing, the General Level 2 certificate, is not required by any regulatory mandate but it is often required or strongly encouraged by employers.  The GenL2 certificate will allow the holder to act in a supervisory capacity.  In order to receive the GenL2 certificate a candidate must receive 70% or more on the AIC GenL2 licensing exam.  You have three opportunities to pass the exam after which you will be required to wait six months before trying again.

General Level 3 Certificate:  The General Level 3 license is the final level of licensing.  Typically those pursuing the GenL3 certificate will be agency or brokerage owners or those who are responsible for the management and supervision of the operations. In order to receive the GenL3 certificate a candidate must receive 70% or more on the AIC GenL3 licensing exam and held a GenL2 certificate for at least 24 months within the previous 36 months.  You have three opportunities to pass the exam after which you will be required to wait six months before trying again.

Independent Adjuster Licensing: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3

For full information about Independent Adjuster Licensing consult these areas of the Alberta Insurance Council website:

Requirements for Certification
Adjuster Licensing Exams
Content of Adjuster Licensing Exams - Curriculum Design Document

Independent Adjuster Level 1 Certificate:  In order to be able to service the public with regards to claims, you must have your Independent Adjuster Level 1 certificate.  In order to receive your IAL1 certificate, you must receive 70% or more on the AIC IAL1 licensing exam and have secured appropriate employment in the industry. You have three opportunities to pass the exam after which you will be required to wait six months before trying again.

If you are currently looking for an independent adjusting role in the property and casualty insurance industry, having passed the IAL1 licensing exam would be looked upon favourably by a prospective employer.  However, all employers will provide the opportunity for new employees to quickly secure their certificate as it is required before an employee can service customers.  

Independent Adjuster Level 2 Certificate:  To receive an Independent Adjuster Level 2 Certificate a candidate must have at least 24 months of consecutive claims adjusting experience and successfully completed 6 courses from the Insurance Institute of Canada's Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) Program one of which must be C15: Loss Adjustment and Claims Settlements, C17: Claims 1, or C110: Essentials of Loss Adjusting.

Independent Adjuster Level 3 Certificate:  To receive an Independent Adjuster Level 3 certificate a candidate must have met the Independent Level 2 certificate requirements, completed the Insurance Institute of Canada's 10-course Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) Program including successful completion of C32: Bodily Injury Claims and one of either C:46: Claims 2, C41: Property Loss Adjustment, or C111: Advanced Loss Adjusting, and acted as an adjuster for at least 60 months within the 10-year period immediately preceding the date of application.

Company or Staff Adjuster:

A licensing certificate is not required for these roles but you are encouraged to pursue your Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation through the Insurance Institute.  

Underwriter:

A licensing certificate is not required for these roles but you are encouraged to pursue your Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation through the Insurance Institute.

Life and Accident & Sickness:

Licensing is required to sell this type of insurance. For full information about consult these areas of the Alberta Insurance Council website:

Requirements for Certification
Life and Accident & Sickness Licensing Exams