Insurance adjusters from the United States can apply for a Letter of Authority adjuster licence in Ontario.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) regulates and licenses all adjusters in Ontario.
About the Ontario licence
Sponsorship with an adjusting company is required
As an adjuster in Ontario, you need to be sponsored by an Ontario-licensed adjusting firm at all times.
- Your adjusting firm is responsible for confirming you meet all licensing requirements, and managing the application process for your licence.
- As the adjuster, you are responsible for maintaining your licence.
Letter of Authority for U.S. applicants
If you meet the requirements as a new applicant, you will be given a Letter of Authority. This enables you to work as an adjuster in Ontario. However, you will not be able to do the following:
- sign any report or communication addressed to an insurer
- sign any other correspondence without permission of your adjusting company
- negotiate the settlement of any bodily injury claim
- authorize repairs to a property or agree to accept any bill regarding a claim without the consent of your adjusting company
If you now live in Ontario:
If you have moved to Ontario and hold a Full Adjuster Licence in your home state, FSRA cannot issue an equivalent licence in Ontario. You would have to qualify as a new Ontario applicant. Visit Apply for a new insurance adjuster licence for details.
Fee for a new application
The fee to apply for a new adjuster licence is C$75. This fee will cover your first year up to June 30. Then, you will need to renew it to keep your licence active.
In most cases, your adjusting firm will pay the fee. Check with them if you have any questions.
What are the requirements to apply from the U.S.?
Education exemption
New adjusters in Ontario must complete an education program to qualify for a Full Adjuster Licence.
However, as a U.S. applicant, you can apply for a Letter of Authority without completing the education program. You will need to meet all other eligibility requirements to get the Ontario licence.
If you do want to upgrade to a Full Adjuster Licence in Ontario, you will have to apply as a new Ontario applicant and complete the education program. Visit Apply for a new insurance adjuster licence for details.
Auto Equivalency exam required for applicants who want to adjust auto claims
Complete the Ontario Auto Equivalency exam offered by the Insurance Institute of Ontario 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.
Checklist for a new licence
Review this checklist to ensure you are ready to apply for a new licence in Ontario.
Requirements:
- provide a criminal record check from the state that you currently reside in (if you reside in the United States)
- provide a Canadian criminal record check through FSRA’s approved vendor, Triton (if you have resided in Canada within the last 5 years)
- be sponsored by an Ontario-licensed adjusting company
- be legally entitled to work in Canada
- be 18 years of age or older
- confirm you are not licensed as an insurance agent or broker
- be familiar with the laws of Ontario relating to the licensing of adjusters
When you have met all of these requirements, you are ready to begin the application process.
Criminal Record check process for United States applicants
If you have resided in Canada within the last 5 years
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.
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
If you reside within the United States
You will be required to upload a criminal record check from the State you reside in.
Ready to apply for a new licence?
- Select the appropriate application form using FSRA’s Online Services Portal
- Fill out the application form.
- you will need to verify your suitability to have a licence by confirming:
- you are a person of good character and reputation
- 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
- you will need to verify your suitability to have a licence by confirming:
- Complete and upload a copy of your background check.
- Upload any relevant documentation.
- Enter your sponsoring adjusting firm's email address and submit the form.
- Once submitted, the sponsoring company will review and process the payment through the Online Services Portal using most major credit cards or select debit cards accepted by the portal.
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 require additional reviews.
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| If the application requires additional review |
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