Continuing Education (CE) FAQs
- What is RIBO CE?
- Does RIBO create CE courses?
- When do I need to complete the CE hours?
- How many CE hours do I need, and what is the breakdown for each category?
- What are the exceptions for completing CE hours?
- What should you do if you have different licenses from different jurisdictions that each have different CE requirements?
- Does completing a CIP course provide CE hours?
- If you complete more than 8 hours this term, can they be carried over to the next year?
- Where can I upload my CE certificates to RIBO?
- How often can I re-take a course and still receive CE hours?
Answers
What is RIBO CE?
RIBO CE refers to the ongoing education requirements that insurance brokers in Ontario must fulfill to maintain their license with RIBO. Continuing Education ensures that brokers stay updated on industry practices, regulatory changes, and new knowledge relevant to their profession. This requirement helps maintain professional standards and enhance the quality of service provided by insurance brokers.
Does RIBO create CE courses?
RIBO sets the standards and requirements for CE and accredits courses offered by external providers. These providers are responsible for developing and delivering the courses that meet RIBO’s criteria. Brokers then complete these accredited courses to fulfill their CE requirements.
When do I need to complete the CE hours?
RIBO requires insurance brokers to complete their CE hours in order to renew their license every term. The RIBO licensing term runs from October 1 of one year to September 30 of the next (e.g. October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024). Brokers should ensure they complete the required number of CE hours by the end of their renewal period to maintain their license in good standing.
How many CE hours do I need, and what is the breakdown for each category?
Principal Broker, Deputy Principal Broker and Supervising Brokers
- 10 hours per term
- Minimum 5 Management hours
- Minimum 1 Ethics hour
- Remaining 4 hours can be from any category except Professional Development
All Other Licensed Individuals
- 8 hours per term
- Minimum 3 Technical hours
- Minimum 1 Ethics hour
- Remaining 4 hours can be from any category (Professional Development is not a mandatory category, however, a maximum of 2 hours can be used, if chosen).
Newly Licensed Individuals
The Continuing Education program of 8 hours every year between October 1 and September 30 will begin the first October following registration. Individuals are only exempted for the remainder of the license year that they were registered.
E.g. Broker A was registered on November 1, 2023, and Broker B was registered on April 30, 2024. Neither Broker A nor Broker B will be required to have accumulated any Continuing Education credits by September 30, 2024, but must begin meeting their CE hours starting from October 1, 2024 for the 2024/2025 license term.
What are the exceptions for completing CE hours?
Individuals who are currently on long-term disability leave may be eligible for a CE exemption. RIBO will require a letter from their Principal Broker confirming the following:
- The individual is currently on long-term disability leave
- They would like to request the exemption on behalf of the individual.
The letter can be sent to licensing@ribo.com for processing.
What should you do if you have different licenses from different jurisdictions that each have different CE requirements?
When you hold licenses from multiple jurisdictions, you need to adhere to the CE requirements of your home jurisdiction. For example, if you reside in Ontario, your home jurisdiction is RIBO. Therefore, you must maintain RIBO’s CE requirements to remain in compliance for your CE requirement for all your licenses.
If, for example, an individual holds residency in Alberta while also holding the Alberta insurance license, RIBO will treat the completion of that individual’s Alberta CE requirements as completion of their RIBO CE requirements as well.
If your home province does not have mandatory CE requirements, you would be required to maintain RIBO’s CE requirements to remain in compliance.
Does completing a CIP course provide CE hours?
If you complete more than 8 hours this term, can they be carried over to the next year?
Individuals may carry over a maximum of one term’s CE requirements to the next term. For example, excess hours completed between October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 may be used towards the CE requirements for October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025. Category requirements must still be met.
Where can I upload my CE certificates to RIBO?
Currently, RIBO does not keep a record of Continuing Education for any of our members. It is each individual’s responsibility to keep a proper record of their CE certificates or letters of completion in the event they need to prove their compliance with the RIBO Continuing Education requirements. Failure to meet your CE requirements will result in non-compliance with RIBO regulations, which may lead to disciplinary action.
How often can I re-take a course and still receive CE hours?
Individuals may receive CE hours from the same course, only if it has been at least 3 years from the previous time they attended.