Apply for an insurance adjuster licence from another province or territory

Labour mobility “as of right” recognition for individuals

Deemed certification

Under Ontario’s new “as of right” labour mobility rules, eligible out-of-province professionals can start working in Ontario as soon as FSRA confirms receipt of a complete “as of right” labour mobility application, including all required documents. Once confirmation is received, an applicant is deemed certified. That certification will allow the applicant to operate in Ontario for six months, pending the receipt of a full licence application. Entry through the “as of right” process is only allowed once.

The “as of right” deemed certification expires after six months. To continue conducting business in Ontario after the six-month period, please ensure that you submit a standard out-of-province licensing application as early as you are able to meet the application requirements. This will avoid a gap in your ability to conduct business.

Checklist: Are you ready to apply for deemed certification?

Before you start your application under the “as of right” labour mobility process, review this checklist of requirements.

You must:

• Complete the Ontario Auto Equivalency exam offered by the Insurance Institute of Ontario (scroll down to the bottom of the page) if you wish to adjust auto claims in Ontario. If you don't complete the Auto Equivalency exam, your licence will be issued with the restriction that you can't handle auto claims in Ontario.
• provide a letter from your regulator to verify that you have an equivalent licence in another province or territory. Learn more about equivalent licences
• be sponsored by a licensed adjusting firm in Ontario
• have an email address that FSRA can use to contact you
• attest to the following:
  • the licence issued by another province or territory for the regulated occupation is currently in good standing
  • no out-of-province regulatory authority has refused to certify you in the regulated occupation within the past two years
  • you are not currently subject to any professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity proceeding, or any similar proceeding, in respect of the regulated occupation
  • you have not had a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity made against you in relation to the regulated occupation.
  • you have not been found guilty of an offence

If you are unable to attest to any of the above, or meet the eligibility requirements, see how to apply using the standard process below.

Steps to apply for deemed certification

Once you meet all of the requirements above, you are ready to begin the application process.

1. You will be required to complete a criminal background check through FSRA’s approved vendor Triton Canada (Triton). More information can be found below in the standard application section.
2. have your sponsoring adjusting firm in Ontario complete the Sponsoring Company Form
3. complete the application form using the Online Services Portal
4. upload the following documents through the Online Services Portal:
   • a copy of your Triton invoice
   • Sponsoring Company Form
   • Ontario Auto Equivalency Exam results within the last year (if applicable)
   • Licensing documents from another province or territory

Please note you must wait for an email from FSRA confirming we have received a completed application from you before you are deemed certified. The email should arrive within 10 business days of submitting your application.

If your “as of right” application is refused, you may request a review or an appeal. Please follow the instructions provided in your correspondence, or email [email protected] for additional details.

Standard out-of-province application process for individuals

Insurance adjusters who have a Full Adjuster Licence from most Canadian provinces or territories, can apply for the same licence in Ontario without completing the education program required for new Ontario applicants. You would still need to complete Ontario’s auto insurance exam if you want to adjust auto claims.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) regulates and licenses all adjusters in Ontario.

Licence exception: If you are an adjuster working for an Ontario-licensed insurance company, you do not apply for a licence.

If you are an Ontario-licensed insurance adjuster and want to apply for a licence in a different province or territory, visit the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators website to access links to the different regulators.

About the Ontario licence

Sponsorship with an adjusting company is required

As an Ontario adjuster, you will need to be sponsored by an Ontario-licensed adjusting company at all times.

• Your adjusting company is responsible for confirming you meet all licensing requirements, and for managing the application process for your licence.
• As the adjuster, you are responsible for maintaining your licence.

Fee for a new application

The fee to apply for a new adjuster licence is $75. This fee will cover your first year up to June 30. Then, you will need to renew it to keep your licence active.

Depending on the arrangement you have with your adjusting firm, they may pay the fee OR you may be responsible for paying this fee. Check with your adjusting firm for details.

What are the requirements to apply from another province or territory?

Education exemption

New adjusters in Ontario must complete an education program to quality for a Full Adjuster Licence. The program includes eight courses from the Insurance Institute, and an exam from the Canadian Independent Adjusters’ Association.

However, if you hold an equivalent Full Adjuster Licence in good standing from most provinces or territories, you are exempt from having to complete the full education program. There is an additional auto insurance exam that you need to take.

Auto Equivalency exam required for all out-of-province applicants

If you want to adjust auto claims in Ontario, you are required to take the Ontario Auto Equivalency exam (scroll down to the bottom of the page) offered by the Insurance Institute of Ontario.

Note: If you don't complete the Auto Equivalency exam, your licence will be issued with a restriction that you can't handle auto claims in Ontario.

What is an equivalent licence?

If you are from one of the provinces or territories listed below, you are exempt from the Ontario education program as long as you hold the equivalent licence listed below. You will need to get a letter from your home regulator as proof of your licence history and level, which will need to be submitted along with your application, along with any other required documents.

Exceptions:

• Yukon and Nunavut: if you have a licence from these territories, you will need to requalify and complete all of the requirements as a new applicant. Review Apply for a new insurance adjuster licence for more details.

You will need to meet all other eligibility requirements in the checklist below to get an Ontario licence.

What if my current licence is inactive?

If you have an inactive licence in your home province or territory (e.g., you’ve either surrendered your licence or you’ve let it lapse), you may be able to apply for an Ontario licence without completing the education program. This will depend on how long your licence has been inactive.

Checklist for a new licence

Review this checklist to ensure you are ready to apply for a new licence in Ontario.

Requirements:

• Verify that you have an equivalent licence in your home province or territory. You will need to get a letter from your regulator.
• Be sponsored by an adjusting firm.
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Confirm you are not licensed as an insurance agent.
• Be familiar with the laws of Ontario relating to the licensing of adjusters.
• Be suitable for a licence.

If you have met all these requirements, you are ready to begin the application process.

Criminal Record check process

Criminal record checks are part of FSRA’s rigorous licence qualification process to protect consumers by ensuring only suitable individuals sell or offer financial products and services in Ontario.

FSRA requires licence applicants to complete their criminal record checks through our approved vendor Triton. You must complete a background check before you submit your FSRA application, using Triton’s website to complete the check. Once completed, you will need to provide a copy of your Triton receipt in your application to FSRA.

Please note that a fee of $19.15 applies for Triton’s service, and the background check is valid for 90 days.

If you have any further questions about the new background check process, please contact us.

Frequently asked questions – Background check process

Ready to apply for a new licence?

1. Download the Insurance Adjuster Application.
   • Right click on the link and choose Save link as to download the PDF to your computer or drive.
2. Fill out the application electronically.
   • Select the Full Adjuster Licence as the Type of Licence.
   • You will need to verify your suitability to have a licence by confirming:
     • You are a person of good character and reputation.
     • You have the appropriate education to be an adjuster.
     • You meet all licensing requirements and are a suitable person to receive a licence as an adjuster.
     • You have provided information about bankruptcies, lawsuits, criminal records, decisions from other regulators or licensing bodies or other employment information.
     • You will comply with Ontario’s laws and the requirements of the adjuster’s licence.
3. Ask your adjusting firm to fill out Part D (Notice of Appointment).
4. Complete a background check through Triton.
5. Your adjusting firm can submit the completed form and a copy of your Triton receipt through the Online Services Portal.
   • If you need to pay the fee, you can make the payment through the Online Services Portal with credit card (VISA, Mastercard) or select debit cards (RBC, TD, First Nations Bank of Canada, most credit unions).

What happens after the application is submitted:

FSRA will send you an email to confirm it has received your application.

Note: out-of-province applications often do require additional reviews.