Very recently, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) came out with its new plans and procedures for allowing licensed insurance agents from outside of the province to practice in Ontario.
The province’s Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act 2025 received Royal Assent in early June 2025. The bill is designed to remove barriers to trade in goods and services, along with barriers to labour mobility and investment between the province and other jurisdictions within Canada.
An express lane
As of January 1 this year, the regulator says eligible individuals with an equivalent license from other Canadian jurisdictions will now get an “express lane” to licensing in Ontario.
“Financial services professionals who hold an equivalent license in another province would be allowed to do business in Ontario almost immediately, even while they’re waiting for their Ontario license to be approved. The new process will be similar to Ontario’s current out-of-province licensing process,” FSRA stated in an announcement about the changes.
Differences from the current process include that agents will be deemed certified and able to start working once FSRA confirms receipt of a complete application, including all required documentation. Applicants will then have six months to complete full licensing requirements.
“Applicants who do not meet the criteria for the new labour mobility licensing process will continue to be eligible to apply through the standard out-of-province licensing process,” they write.
Temporary labour mobility pathway for brokers
In response to the new legislation in Ontario, the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) also launched a temporary labour mobility pathway for brokers licensed and residing in provinces outside of Ontario.
“Individuals who are a resident in another Canadian jurisdiction and who hold an insurance broker license in good standing in their home province or territory will be able to obtain a once-in-a lifetime temporary six-month RIBO license on an expedited-basis if they become employed with a RIBO-licensed firm,” RIBO writes in a statement to the Insurance Portal in response to its inquiry. “This license will allow them to work in Ontario while completing the full RIBO licensing process, including completing the required equivalency exam(s), background checks and other requirements.”
Under this regime, individuals must ensure they apply and become registered under the full RIBO licensing process within six months of having their temporary license issued.
“This new pathway won't suit everyone. Principal brokers will continue to be responsible for ensuring all temporary licensees have received the appropriate training and will be responsible for managing any service risks that can arise from gaps in licensure. The existing RIBO licensing pathway remains available to all out-of-province individuals,” they add.
Ontario is not alone in its efforts to make labour mobility a reality for insurance agents in Canada. To examine the different regimes and opportunities, the Insurance Portal sent its inquiry to the other 12 provinces and territories.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, that province’s insurance council, the Insurance Council of British Columbia (ICoBC), recognizes insurance licenses from other Canadian jurisdictions and has a process for issuing a British Columbia license equivalent to the one issued in an applicant’s home jurisdiction, “without any significant barriers.” They say applications are typically processed within 10 business days.
“There are differences in legislation across the provinces and territories that pose some challenges for seamless regulatory oversight of professionals working across jurisdictions,” the council’s representatives write in correspondence with the Insurance Portal. “A variety of insurance council initiatives and activities support efforts to improve harmonization and reduce barriers to professional mobility between jurisdictions.”
They also add that the council has been working on developing a general insurance competency framework to help provide clarity about its own expectations for general insurance licensure in the province.
Alberta
Representatives from the Alberta Insurance Council (AIC) say the regulator regularly reviews its licensing practices to ensure they are efficient and aligned with its consumer protection mandate.
“Non-resident applicants can continue to apply through our existing licensing procedures,” they write. “The AIC supports labour mobility and remains committed to maintaining clear, accessible licensing pathways for agents and adjusters wanting to work in Alberta.”
Saskatchewan
Unlike other provinces approving labour mobility legislation in recent months, Saskatchewan’s Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Practices Act received Royal Assent back in May 2022. Representatives from the Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan (ICS) say the Act aims to reduce barriers to working in the province, by ensuring that credentials from other provinces are recognized without unnecessary barriers.
“Our organization is actively working to ensure that insurance agents licensed in other Canadian jurisdictions can become licensed in Saskatchewan efficiently,” they write. “Work to implement labour mobility is ongoing.”
To support this effort, the regulator has recently hired a manager of communications to help provide guidance and information to applicants.
“Applicants from other Canadian jurisdictions may apply using our standardized process that verifies their current credentials and standing. The application includes submission of identity documents, proof of licensure in another jurisdiction, and other required information pursuant to the Insurance Act, the insurance regulations and corresponding bylaws,” they write. “We are committed to ensuring that skilled insurance professionals can transition to Saskatchewan with minimal barriers while maintaining the public protection standards expected in our province."
Manitoba
Those licensed in another Canadian province or territory may apply also for a reciprocal license in Manitoba for the same licensing level they hold in their home jurisdiction.
“Labour mobility is an important priority for the Insurance Council of Manitoba (ICM) and we have long supported the recognition of equivalent licenses across Canadian jurisdictions in accordance with existing interprovincial agreements,” they write. “ICM has been administering reciprocal licensing for many years. The primary considerations continue to be ensuring equivalency of license levels and regulatory standards across jurisdictions as well as confirming appropriate disclosure and fitness requirements are met. Where Manitoba‑specific regulatory knowledge is required, applicants may be asked to complete additional requirements to ensure public protection is maintained.”
In most cases, they say no additional education or examinations are required provided the agent’s license level and authority are equivalent.
“At this time, there are no substantive changes to the existing reciprocal licensing framework, though we continue to monitor developments nationally. Additionally, criminal record checks, etc. would generally not be required for out of province applicants unless there is a red flag on a file that would warrant this request.”
Quebec
In Quebec, Bill 112, An Act to facilitate the trade of goods and the mobility of labour from the other provinces and the territories of Canada, was given assent by the province’s government in October 2025.
“The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) will be required to issue a certificate to a worker who holds a permit to practice in another province or territory upon request, without any significant additional requirements. In that spirit, the AMF is currently reviewing its regulations,” the regulator writes in its statement to the Insurance Portal.
The regulator goes on to say that equivalent authorizations which it has deemed acceptable when obtaining a certificate from the AMF can be found on its website.
“AMF regulations currently exempt licensed applicants from other provinces of some of the career entry requirements,” they add. “For instance, except for the exam on Quebec legislation, they are exempt from the obligation of passing AMF's exams. Licensed applicants having 24 months of experience within the last 36 months are also exempt from the probationary period.”
New Brunswick
For applicants who have been issued a substantially similar license in another jurisdiction, or who have engaged in equivalent or comparable work in the insurance industry in another jurisdiction, the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick (FCNB) made amendments to its relevant regulations in early October 2025.
Changes to Rule INS-001 Insurance Intermediaries Licensing and Obligations were made at the time “to expressly provide for labour mobility in accordance with the Canadian Free Trade Agreement,” they write. “Amendments were also made at the same time to better align New Brunswick’s agent levels with other jurisdictions for the purpose of assisting New Brunswick residents in obtaining licenses in other Canadian jurisdictions.”
Nova Scotia
In March 2025, Nova Scotia passed the province’s Free Trade and Mobility Within Canada Act. That said, representatives from the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance point out that Nova Scotia has recognized out-of-province equivalency for insurance licensing since 2006.
“If an applicant from another province holds a valid license in good standing for the same class of insurance, we will license them in Nova Scotia, subject to confirmation of their licensing status in their home jurisdiction and approval from the Superintendent of Public Insurance,” they write.
Prince Edward Island
Finally, this province’s Interprovincial Trade and Mobility Act received Royal Assent in May 2025.
“Prince Edward Island has and will continue to accept copies of non-resident applicant’s equivalent license from other provinces and territories, as well as criminal/civil/regulatory attestations, as sufficient evidence to obtain an insurance agent license in this province. This practice is in line with the Canadian Free Trade Agreement,” they write. “As has always been the case, Prince Edward Island aims to process all such applications in a timely manner, especially as applications increase with more and more jurisdictions adopting labour mobility legislation.”
Newfoundland and Labrador
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the province’s Superintendent of Insurance, under the Insurance Adjusters, Agents and Brokers Act, can accept proof of an existing license from another province as an equivalent qualification. “Applicants receive the same level of license that they hold in the other province,” representatives tell the Insurance Portal.
They add that insurance agents licensed in another province are eligible for licensing and have been since 1991. The province uses an online application where agents can submit proof of licensing.
Nunavut
Across the board, agents must be licensed in Nunavut to sell insurance within the territory. That said, those already licensed in another province or territory do not need to retake exams if they are able to provide their exam results from their original licensing jurisdiction. (New applications only. Those renewing their Nunavut license do not need to provide this information each time.)
“Nunavut recognizes licenses issued by other provinces and territories and does not require agents to retake exams if they are already licensed elsewhere,” the territory’s representatives state.
Applicants must submit a completed license application, provide supporting documentation and include exam results. “The process remains the same, but we continue to monitor and review it to ensure that it remains aligned with any legislative changes.”
Northwest Territories
Under the Northwest Territories’ Insurance Act the province has existing legislative and regulatory labour mobility provisions for insurance agents. Under the Act, “non resident agents may be licensed in the territory provided they are licensed in their home jurisdiction and meet established application requirements,” the territory’s representatives write. “This framework allows qualified agents from other jurisdictions to work in the NWT.”
They add that this established framework continues to function as intended.
Non-resident insurance agents intending to work in the territory must submit and application and documentation for review and must remain licensed in their home jurisdiction. “At this time, there are no planned changes to the current process,” they write.
Yukon
As in other provinces, to sell insurance in the Yukon, insurance professionals must register with the territory, hold a Yukon license and renew this license every year. The province provides an online portal for applicants.
To be eligible, an agent must hold a current license in another Canadian jurisdiction. Notably, the Yukon would also appear to extend licensing privileges to those in U.S. jurisdictions, as well.
Those in good standing can apply for the same class of insurance licenses as those held in the agent’s home province. To be eligible, agents must also have permission from a licensed insurer to sell their products in the territory. (In addition to a criminal background check, Yukon will also want to see an insurer recommendation of agent form, completed by a designated official from each insurer the agent represents.)
