The Complete Guide to Canada’s Life Licence Qualification Program
LLQP Overview
The LLQP (Life Licence Qualification Program) is the national licensing course every life insurance advisor in Canada must complete, except in Quebec which uses the PQAP. It has four modules, one national exam at 75% to pass each module, takes about 80–120 hours of study, and costs $600–$1,100 from start to licensed.
Table of Contents
- What does LLQP stand for?
- LLQP vs HLLQP — are they the same?
- Who runs the LLQP (CISRO and the provincial regulators)
- The four modules
- How the exam works
- How much the LLQP costs in 2026
- Realistic timeline
- Eligibility
- Sponsorship and Letter of Intent
- After you pass: provincial licensing and E&O
- Frequently asked questions
What Is the LLQP?
The LLQP is the Life Licence Qualification Program. It is the standardised national course and exam that every person who wants to sell life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, or segregated funds in Canada must pass, in every province except Quebec. It was introduced in 2016 to replace the patchwork of older provincial exams. Today the LLQP has four modules: Life Insurance, Accident & Sickness, Segregated Funds & Annuities, and Ethics & Professional Practice, and is set by the Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organisations (CISRO).
What Does LLQP Stand For?
LLQP stands for Life Licence Qualification Program. It is the licensing program required to sell life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and segregated fund products in every Canadian province and territory except Quebec, which uses its own program called the PQAP (Programme de qualification en assurance de personnes), administered by the AMF and CSF.
LLQP vs HLLQP — Are They The Same?
Yes, in 2026 they are the same thing. HLLQP stands for Harmonized LLQP. When CISRO harmonised the various provincial life licensing exams in 2016, the new national program was called the Harmonized LLQP, the “H” signalled the change. The H has mostly been dropped from official communication, but you will still see HLLQP in old course materials, search engines, and a handful of provincial documents. If you are taking the exam in 2026 or later, “LLQP” and “HLLQP” refer to the same program. If you took an exam before 2016 (sometimes called the LLQP-Plus, the CCS, or the Manulife exam), that was the older, pre-harmonised system.
Who Runs The LLQP?
Two layers of regulator. CISRO (the Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organisations) sets the curriculum, writes the exam questions, and accredits the course providers. Your provincial regulator then issues the actual licence after you pass. The provincial regulators are:
- Ontario: Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA)
- British Columbia: Insurance Council of British Columbia
- Alberta: Alberta Insurance Council (AIC)
- Saskatchewan: Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan (ICS)
- Manitoba: Insurance Council of Manitoba (ICM)
- New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, NL: each province has its own superintendent or council
- Yukon, NWT, Nunavut: territorial superintendents
The Four LLQP Modules
Module 1:
Life Insurance
Term insurance, whole life, universal life, riders, group versus individual, ownership, beneficiary designations, and the tax treatment of life insurance proceeds. Foundational. About 30% of the exam content.
Module 2: Accident & Sickness Insurance
Disability insurance, critical illness insurance, long-term care, travel insurance, and the basics of group benefits. About 25% of the exam. Detail-heavy.
Module 3:
Segregated Funds and Annuities
Seg funds, annuity types, the taxation of registered and non-registered seg funds, and the CRA treatment of annuity payments. Most candidates find this the hardest module, the math and the rules feel unfamiliar. About 20% of the exam.
Module 4:
Ethics, Sectoral Rules, & Compliance
Needs-based sales, the duty to act fairly, conflicts of interest, KYC/KYP, privacy law (PIPEDA), provincial regulatory rules, and the CCIR framework. Often underestimated. Scenario-based questions. About 25% of the exam.
How The LLQP Exam Works
- Format: multiple choice, computer-based, supervised at an approved exam centre or via online proctoring depending on province.
- Duration: each module exam is 75 minutes. Most candidates write all four in one or two days.
- Pass mark: 75% on each module independently. You can fail one and still re-take only that module.
- Questions per module: roughly 35–45 multiple choice questions plus a small number of case-study questions.
- Retake policy: usually a 30-day wait before re-attempting a failed module. Up to three attempts per module before re-enrolling in the course.
How Much Does the LLQP Cost in Canada in 2026?
| Cost item | Typical range (CAD) | Notes |
| LLQP course tuition | $330 – $550 | Online vs in-class; live-instruction adds cost |
| Exam fees (all 4 modules) | $120 – $180 per attempt × 4 | Set by provincial regulator |
| Provincial licensing application | $50 – $200 | One-time on first issue; renewals annual |
| E&O insurance (first year) | $300 – $700 | Mandatory before writing business |
| Total realistic budget | $1,000 – $1,800 | Including E&O. Tax-deductible in most cases. |
Most candidates spend $600 to $1,100 in total to go from zero to licensed. Career changers can usually claim part of the cost as a tax deduction, speak to a Canadian tax professional about the Canada Training Credit and tuition tax credit eligibility.
Realistic LLQP Timeline
Fast track: 8 to 10 weeks
Full-time or near-full-time study, 15 to 20 hours per week. Course completion in 4–5 weeks, exam scheduled in week 6–7, licensing application in week 8–10. Realistic for career changers between jobs..
Standard track: 3 to 4 months
Working full-time. 6–10 hours per week. Most candidates land here. Course completion in 8–10 weeks, exam in week 12, licensing in months 3–4.
Paced track: 4 to 6 months
Parents, shift workers, or anyone with limited focus time during the week. 3–5 hours per week. This is fine. The LLQP does not punish slower study, it punishes passive study.
Who can take the LLQP?
- 18 years of age or older (some provinces require 19 for licensing)
- Eligible to work in Canada: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or valid work permit
- Able to pass a criminal record check (most non-violent records older than 5 years are fine; speak to your provincial regulator)
- No education requirement. No degree, no diploma, no prior insurance experience needed.
Sponsorship And The Letter of Intent
Most provinces require a sponsoring insurer or brokerage at the licensing stage, not at the course or exam stage. You can study and pass the LLQP without one. The piece you need at licensing is called a Letter of Intent: a brokerage or insurer signs a short document saying they intend to sponsor you and will supervise your first year. Independent brokerages tend to be more flexible than the big career-agency model because they are not pushing a single carrier.
If you do not yet have a sponsor, we are happy to help. → Click here.
What happens after you pass
Apply
Apply to your provincial regulator (most accept online; processing 5 to 20 business days).
Secure Sponsor
Get your sponsor’s confirmation on file.
Get E&O Insurance
Put your Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance in place, this is mandatory for every licensed advisor.
Start Career
Receive your licence number and begin helping clients as a licensed life insurance advisor under your sponsor’s supervision.
Your FAQs, Our Honest Answers
The common questions every LLQP candidate asks first.
Your Next Steps
Continue exploring the resources below to compare courses, understand the exam, meet your provincial licensing requirements, and start your new career with confidence.