Licensing Link Questions & Answers

Access the FSRA website at www.fsrao.ca. Click on Online Insurance Licensing System on the home page.

Insurance companies, agents, and the general public.

• initiate applications for new agents
• pay for new applications, renewals, and transfers
• check on the status of agent applications
• generate reports on pending or licensed agents

• complete the application process
• update address information
• pay for new applications, renewals, and transfers with a credit card
• change sponsorship status
• move from Life Level I to Level II (for the few remaining Level I Agents)
• renew General, Life, and Accident & Sickness agent licences

• confirm that an agent is licensed to conduct business in Ontario
• search the agent listing by license number, last name, or city

24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This on-line service is designed to increase efficiencies, provide greater convenience and faster turnaround times for the agent licensing process in Ontario.

Elimination of paper applications enables us to provide faster more efficient service.

Unlike paper-based systems, Licensing Link helps to ensure the accuracy of applications, immediately identifying inconsistencies or missing information immediately and eliminating the frustrating process of resubmitting applications. Many licensing transactions can be completed instantaneously, avoiding delays in mailing and handling paper transactions. Agents also have the convenience of payment by credit card.

The on-line application process for new applicants is initiated by the staff of the sponsoring insurance company who will electronically enter basic information about the prospective agent. Once this profile information is captured in the system, the prospective agent will receive an e-mail (containing a link to the application) indicating that they can complete an on-line application. Once submitted by the agent, FSRA staff will review the application within 48 hours. Sponsoring companies can monitor the status of agent applications through the company section of Licensing Link. Once the application has been reviewed and approved FSRA’s website listing of licensed agents will be automatically updated.

• access to the Internet and an e-mail address
• name of sponsoring company (if applicable)
• examination information - exam candidate ID number, date written, location, and marks (if applicable)
• business address
• name of your errors and omissions insurance company, and your policy number.
• VISA, MasterCard or American Express Card with available credit of at least $150.00

There are many free email providers on the Internet. You can also check with your Internet service provider.

Insurance companies have two options, they can pay for each individual application using a credit card, or set up a prepaid account with FSRA. Once such a prepaid account has been established, company- authorized officers can quickly and easily approve withdrawals from the account to be applied towards agent licence applications submitted through Licensing Link. To establish a prepaid account, submit the Insurance Company Prepayment form located on FSRA’s website, under Licensing Link / Licensing & Registration Forms.

Agents pay for their application or renewal with a credit card. Contact the Licensing and Market Conduct Division if alternate payment arrangements are necessary, please e-mail us at [email protected], or call: 416-250-9209, toll-free: 1-800-263-0541.

No. FSRA uses a certified third party payment processing service to process credit card payments.
At no time will FSRA staff have access to the credit card information.

Extensive security features have been built into Licensing Link to protect the applicant’s information and privacy by using Secure Sockets Layer or SSL, which allows data flowing between two computers on the Internet to be encrypted. It is used on the Internet whenever a high degree of security is required, such as personal banking.

The safety of your information is paramount to us. That is why we have devoted a great deal of effort to ensure that our on-line security measures will safeguard your information. This is consistent with our responsibility to protect your privacy under the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP).

Access the FSRA website at www.fsrao.ca. Click on Online Insurance Licensing System on the home page. Enter your last name in the Agent Last Name field and click Search. A list of results will appear. Click on the Agent Licence No. to the left of your name. Licensing Link will guide you through the process. Agents can print off a summary page of their renewal information and submit it to their sponsoring insurer confirming that they have completed their renewal. This will also provide the sponsoring insurer with updated personal information on the agent.

FSRA has developed an area within the Licensing Link section on its website for demonstrating its features. The Insurance Agent Demonstration Screens show the ease with which agents can use Licensing Link. The Insurance Company Training Tutorial, shows the easy-to-use pre-application process for insurance companies.

No. Legislation does not require that you carry a copy of your licence. FSRA plans to eliminate the use of paper licences altogether, and instead rely on the official Internet listing of licensed agents which is more reliable and up-to-date.

New licences will require staff review and will be processed within 48 hours.

Renewals or moves to Level II will be effective immediately upon completion of the application and the approved payment of the licensing fees.

Yes, as of July 4, 2006, these types of applications can be processed using Licensing Link but will require staff review and will not be processed automatically.

No. All sensitive data stored on the FSRA website is encrypted to prevent unauthorized use of the data. FSRA’s website is well secured using the most up-to-date hardware and software devices available.

Yes. Anyone entering Licensing Link, beyond the main licence information screen, can only do so using a PIN. This protects data from being altered by unauthorized persons.

The FSRA PIN consists of a 5 digit number, which will be provided during your initial application, or the first time you access Licensing Link to renew your licence or make changes to your profile information (e.g. address change). It acts as a password into Licensing Link and should be stored in a safe place for future use.

When Licensing Link issues your PIN, it will also ask you to provide a question to which only you can provide the answer. If at any time you forget your PIN, we can then pose this question back to you. A correct answer will allow you to retrieve your PIN.

No. Any agent submitting a request for a name change is required to provide legal proof before a change can be made, e.g. copy of marriage certificate, etc.

Yes. Changes can be made to your address information at anytime.

No. FSRA plans to eliminate the use of paper licences altogether, and instead rely on the Internet listing of licensed agents which is more reliable and up-to-date.

A listing of all licensed agents is available on FSRA’s website, at www.fsrao.ca, click on Licensing Link on the home page, then select Agents Licensed in Ontario to access the search screen.

Paper applications/renewals will only be accepted if the applicant is unable to use Licensing Link due to a disability or other extenuating circumstance. Contact the Licensing and Market Conduct Division at [email protected], or call 416-250-9209, toll-free: 1-800-263-0541, to discuss arrangements and avoid having your application returned.

All corporate insurance agencies and partnerships can now use the Online Services Portal to apply for or renew a licence and pay online.

Please download and complete your application. Visit the Online Services Portal to submit your application and pay the fee.

For more information on the Online Services Portal, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Contact the head office of your sponsoring insurance company; or access the FSRA website at www.fsrao.ca. If you have any questions, please e-mail us at [email protected], or call 416- 250-9209, toll-free: 1-800-263-0541.