CAIB

*The Canada Post strike has ended, but textbook deliveries may still be delayed as Canada Post clears the backlog of priority shipments. If you are in Vancouver and wish to arrange a pickup, please contact Marina Turchina at mturchina@ibabc.org. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB)

The CAIB program is a national, professional designation program that's provided by the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC). Completion of all four CAIB courses will earn you a CAIB designation.

Successful completion of the CAIB 1 exam (or the Fundamentals of Insurance exam) is the first step to qualify you for a Level 1 General Insurance Salesperson's License in British Columbia. This includes the ability to sell ICBC’s Autoplan.

View a point-by-point comparison of FOI and CAIB 1.

The CAIB courses/exams can be done in any order, but we recommend you start with CAIB 1 and work your way up.

Quick Links:
Textbook Course Options Exam Information Licensing Qualifications
CAIB Designations CAIB-Graduate Courses FAQs
     

CAIB Textbooks

The current editions of the CAIB textbooks are shown in the following table: 

CAIB Textbook Current Edition
CAIB 1 2011
CAIB 2 2010
CAIB 3 2013
CAIB 4 2012

The fee for each CAIB textbook is: $315 for IBABC members* and $415 for non-members.

*IBABC-member price is only applicable to those employed by a brokerage that’s a member in good standing of IBABC. Textbooks are shipped to your brokerage address. If you are employed by an IBABC-member brokerage and want your textbook sent to your home address, you must have your manager email us to confirm your employment.

To order the CAIB textbook: Download and complete the CAIB Registration Form. Submit via email to the contact information shown on the form.

All textbook sales are final.

Online Course Options

In partnership with Ensure Training and Education Ltd., IBABC offers instructor-led online courses for Fundamental of Insurance. These courses come with a pass guarantee. If you attend every class, complete all course materials and write your exam within two-weeks of course completion but do not pass, you are eligible to attend the next available sitting of the same course at no additional cost. Please note that you are responsible for paying any exam rewrite fees.

These online courses are designed to maximize student success by appealing to various learning styles. They include the following components: 

  • Intensive classroom instruction 
  • In-class polls, quizzes, study notes, online flashcards, practice exams  
  • All classes are recorded and posted in the student portal 
     

Weekend Immersion Course: This course includes 2 consecutive weekends of instruction.

One-Week Immersion Course: This course includes 5 consecutive weekdays of instruction.

Seven-Week Evening Course: This course includes 7 evenings of instruction.

Other than Ensure Training and Education Ltd., IBABC is not affiliated nor endorses any private institutions that offer insurance education. You should research education providers carefully to make sure you get the best education possible.

Fees:

  • $584 + $315 for textbook for IBABC members*  
  • $584 + $415 for textbook for non-members

*IBABC-member price is only applicable to those employed by a brokerage that’s a member in good standing.

If you already have a current version of the textbook, you may purchase the course only.

To register for a CAIB Course: Download and complete CAIB Registration Form. Submit via email to the contact information shown on the form.

COURSES SCHEDULE

Dates 

Times 

CAIB 1 Weekends

Feb 22,23 & Mar 1,2

9AM – 2:30PM

CAIB 1 One-Week

May 26 - 30

9AM - 2:30PM

CAIB 2 Seven-Week Evenings 

Jan 14 – Feb 25

6PM - 8:30PM

CAIB 2 Weekends

March 1,2 & 8,9

9AM - 2:30PM

CAIB 2 Seven-Week Evenings 

Apr 15 – May 27

6PM - 8:30PM

CAIB 2 Weekends

Sep 13,14 & 20,21

9AM - 2:30PM

CAIB 2 Seven-Week Evenings
(no class Sept 30th)

Sep 16 – Nov 4

6PM - 8:30PM

CAIB 3 Seven-Week Evenings 

Jan 15 – Feb 26

6PM - 8:30PM

CAIB 3 Weekends 

Apr 5,6 & 12,13 

9AM - 2:30PM

CAIB 3 Seven-Week Evenings 

Apr 16 – May 28

6PM - 8:30PM

CAIB 3 Seven-Week Evenings 

Sep 17 – Oct 29

6PM - 8:30PM

CAIB 3 Weekends 

Nov 15,16 & 22,23

9AM - 2:30PM

CAIB 4 Seven-Week Evenings 

Jan 16 – Feb 27

6PM - 8:30PM

CAIB 4 Weekends 

Jan 18,19 & 25,26

9AM - 2:30PM

CAIB 4 Seven-Week Evenings 

Apr 17 – May 29

6PM - 8:30PM

CAIB 4 Seven-Week Evenings 

Sep 18 – Oct 30

6PM - 8:30PM

Registration deadline is one week prior to the start date. A minimum of 7 students required per course. Cancellations after the registration deadline are subject to a $75 administration fee.

IBABC and Ensure Training strongly recommend that you write your exam within two (2) weeks of course completion. Statistics show that students who write shortly after course completion have a higher success rate.  

Online CAIB Exam Preparation Course 

Online CAIB Exam Preparation Courses are available to all CAIB students. They provide convenient and flexible study support.

The fee for each Online CAIB Exam Preparation Course is:

  • $49 + GST for IBABC members*
  • $99 + GST for non-members

*IBABC-member price is only applicable to those employed by a brokerage that’s a member in good standing of IBABC.

The course includes 12 weeks' access to:

  • Weekly study schedule
  • Study tip videos
  • Pre-recorded multi-media presentations
  • Online discussion forum
  • Progress quizzes and a practice exam
  • Online flashcards

Please ensure you are studying from a current version of the textbook.

Click here to register for the Online CAIB Exam Preparation Courses

CAIB Exams

CAIB 1, 2 and 3 online exams are made up of multiple-choice, definitions and short-answer questions. The CAIB 4 online exam is made up of short-answer questions. You are given 3.5 hours to complete and a minimum grade of 60% is required to pass a CAIB exam. 

The CAIB exam is $395 and valid for one year from purchase. No refunds issued after 6 months. The re-write fee is $195.

The options available to write your exam are:

  1. IBABC in-office
  2. IBABC's virtual proctoring service
  3. Active nominee or brokerage appointed proctor
  4. Educational institution (accredited college or university) or Government exam centre (remote areas only)

Step 1 – Select Your Proctor

  • You must select and pay (if fees apply) for your exam proctor.
  • A proctor code will only be sent to a valid business-email address that contains the proctor’s first name or initial, last name and the name of their place of employment. We will not accept: info@abc.com or Gmail, Hotmail, etc.
  1. IBABC Office:

    Select "IBABC office" in the Proctoring Option in the CAIB Exam Registration (proctor form not required). Once your exam registration has been processed, you will be sent a link to our booking calendar. Please arrive no more than 15 minutes early for your exam. Late arrivals will not be allowed to write and will be subject to a $75 deferral fee to reschedule.

    In-office hours: Tuesdays 9:00 - 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 12:00. - 3:30 p.m.

  2. Virtual proctoring service: 

    Select "Online Proctor" in the Proctoring Option in the CAIB Exam Registration (proctor form not required). Once your exam registration has been processed, you will be sent a link to the virtual exam booking calendar.

  3.  Active nominee or appointed proctor:

    Complete the CAIB Exam Proctor Nomination & Policy Form and send as an email attachment (scanned PDF) at least three (3) business days before your chosen exam date to the contact information shown on the form for approval.

  4. Educational institution (accredited college or university) or Government exam centre (remote areas only)

    Complete the CAIB Exam Proctor Nomination & Policy Form and send as an email attachment (scanned PDF) at least three (3) business days before your chosen exam date to the contact information shown on the form for approval.

Step 2 – Register for Your Online Exam

Click here to register for your online CAIB Exam (provided by Captus Press) at least three (3) business days before your chosen exam date. 

Once your payment has been processed, you will receive an examination candidate code by email. You must have this code with you on exam day to login and begin your exam. 

Your exam application will NOT be approved until both Steps 1 and 2 are properly completed in a timely manner.

When you write an exam:

  • Take your candidate code and government-issued photo ID (valid driver’s licence, passport, citizenship card); your photo ID must be written in English so the proctor can confirm your identity.
  • Be on time
  • Respect exam location rules and policies.
  • The computer you use should be in a quiet, designated exam room and have a high-speed internet connection and an up-to-date web browser

Examinees caught cheating (sneaking in reference materials or mobile device, accessing the internet, talking during the exam or looking at someone else's exam) will be immediately disqualified from the exam, barred from writing any exam for one (1) year, and will be reported to the Insurance Council of B.C.

If you don’t write your exam on the selected date and haven’t rescheduled or cancelled before 4:30 p.m. pacific time on exam day, you will forfeit the exam fee. If you still wish to write the exam, you must pay the exam fee.

Deferring or Cancelling an Exam

You can defer or cancel your exam booking right up to 4:30 p.m. (pacific time) on the day of your exam. A $75 fee will be charged if deferral or cancellation is less than seven (7) days before the exam date. You will be sent a link for payment.

  • Email new exam date or cancellation to scoles@ibabc.org  
  • Pay deferral fee (if applicable)
  • Let the exam proctor know of the date change or cancellation

An exam deferral or cancellation received later than 4:30 p.m. (Pacific Time) on the date the exam is scheduled is treated as an expired registration. If you still want to write the exam after that, you must pay another $195.

No refunds will be issued after 6 months from exam registration.

Getting your CAIB Exam Mark

Your mark will be emailed to you within ten (10) business days after you write the exam. You will NOT be given a copy of your marked exam or an opportunity to discuss your exam answers with anyone.

All CAIB exams with marks between 55% and 59% are automatically remarked, free of charge, to ensure the accuracy of the result. This re-marking is done before marks are provided.

Rewriting a CAIB Exam

If you don’t pass a CAIB exam, you may register to rewrite it. Each rewrite fee is $195.

For it to be treated as a "rewrite" you must register within one (1) year of your previous attempt. All other exams are treated as “first-time” exams and are priced accordingly.

CAIB exam rewrites are subject to waiting periods, which depend on the number of times you've previously written the exam:

  • For your second attempt, you may rewrite immediately (i.e., no waiting period).
  • For your third attempt, you must wait at least one (1) month after your second attempt.
  • For your fourth attempt and all other attempts after that, you must wait at least six (6) months after your last attempt.
  • Waiting periods are NOT wiped clean at the end of a calendar year.


Challenging a CAIB Exam Mark

If you believe your exam mark is inaccurate, you may challenge the result by having your exam re-marked. To have your exam re-marked you must submit your request within five (5) business days after your mark is provided to you and pay a $75 remark fee.

Continuing Education Credits

If you’re currently licensed in B.C., successful completion of a CAIB exam will qualify you for continuing education (CE) credits towards your general-insurance licence, as follows: 

Continuing Education Credits

If you’re currently licensed in B.C., successful completion of a CAIB exam will qualify you for continuing education (CE) credits towards your general-insurance licence, as follows: 

CAIB Exam Mark CE Credits
0 - 59 0
60 - 100 8

If you’re a new licensing applicant, CAIB 1 will not qualify you for CE credits.

Education Prerequisites for Licensing

Level 1 Licensing Qualification
Successful completion of your CAIB 1 exam is the first step to obtaining your General Insurance Salesperson Level 1 License.

Level 2 Licensing Qualification
Successful completion of your CAIB 2 & CAIB 3 exams qualifies you for a General Insurance Salesperson Level 2 License.

Level 3 Licensing Qualification
Successful completion of your CAIB 4 exam is the first step to obtaining your General Insurance Salesperson Level 3 License.

For information on the licensing process, visit the Insurance Council of BC.

CAIB Designation

To obtain your CAIB designation, you must pass all four CAIB exams.

To maintain and display the CAIB designation next to your name in print (on your business cards, in your signature line, etc) you must be employed by a brokerage that's an IBABC member in good standing.

If you're not employed by an IBABC-member brokerage and want to maintain and display your CAIB designation, you must purchase an annual Designation Affinity Program membership.

Download and print a Designation Affinity Membership application and invoice.

CAIB-Graduate Courses

If you’ve completed all four CAIB courses and are interested in obtaining a higher designation, we recommend you enroll in the Canadian Professional Insurance Broker (CPIB) program.

Contact
Do you have questions about CAIB that aren’t answered above? Contact Susan Coles at scoles@ibabc.org.