The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario has launched a new administration program to deliver paper-based broker licensing exams to professionals in the province, on behalf of the provincial regulator Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO).
Registration for Level 1 and 2 licensing, equivalency, travel health and farm insurance exams are now available through the IBAO. Presently, IBAO is providing exam sittings facilitated within the offices of brokerages, but once public health restrictions are lifted exam centres will be made accessible at various locations throughout Ontario for all exam types, a release said.
“New brokers are now able to write their RIBO exam in their own brokerage office,” said IBA COO Brett Boadway. “This will improve the overall exam experience by limiting travel and reducing reliance on unfamiliar third-party venues. The simplified process is wholly coordinated by IBAO. We’re also happy to accommodate group exam sessions on custom dates.”
IBAO also explained that this arrangement will help new brokers in remote parts of Ontario – areas without reliable internet to access online exams – to take in-person proctored exams facilitated by the association. The partnership with RIBO also means brokers can simply register for courses and exams through their membership with IBAO.
“RIBO is focusing its resources on enhancing broker education, licensing and testing standards that
support our consumer protection mandate,” said RIBO licensing director Jessica Harper. “These changes support regulatory efficiencies while providing future licensees choice about where and when they take their exams. IBAO has turned around an efficient process in a short amount of time.”
Harper added that RIBO looks forward to working through additional efficiencies and collaborating with IBAO again, but for online exams later this summer.
RIBO had previously introduced the option for Ontario brokers to register online for their licensing exams in April. Brokers who sign up and take the exam can visit the group’s website to view their testing results.
