Provincial Licensing Process in Saskatchewan
If you are getting your life insurance licence in Saskatchewan, you will work with the Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan (ICS). The process is straightforward compared to some larger provinces, with a few specific quirks worth knowing before you start.
Here is the 2026 walkthrough.
The Saskatchewan Regulator
The Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan is the licensing body for life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and general insurance in the province. The ICS reports to the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, who sets the regulatory framework under the Saskatchewan Insurance Act.
Two specific councils handle life and A&S: the Life Insurance Council of Saskatchewan and the Accident and Sickness Insurance Council. They are administered by the same office.
ICS contact: 306-347-0862 (Regina office). Website: scic.sk.ca.
Step 1: Complete an Approved LLQP Course
You must complete an LLQP course approved by CISRO before you can write the provincial exam. Saskatchewan accepts the same providers as the rest of Canada, including Advocis, ILScorp, IFSE Institute, Oliver’s Learning, and Business Career College.
Our recommended provider is Oliver’s Learning. We recommend Oliver’s Learning for its exam-pass focus and strong practice question bank. You can enrol directly through our agency link above.
The course covers four modules: Life Insurance, Accident and Sickness Insurance, Segregated Funds and Annuities, and Ethics and Professional Practice.
Expect 60 to 80 hours of study time. Course costs range from $350 to $750 depending on the provider and package you choose.
Step 2: Write the LLQP Exam
After completing your course, you book the LLQP exam through the provincial exam delivery process. In Saskatchewan, the exam is administered by ICS in partnership with national exam delivery vendors.
You can write the four modules in one sitting or split them across multiple dates. Each module is approximately 35 to 50 questions, with 60 percent required to pass. Exam fees in Saskatchewan are approximately $60 to $80 per module.
Step 3: Find a Sponsoring Insurer
Passing the LLQP doesn’t automatically make you a licensed insurance advisor, you need a sponsoring insurer to support your licence application. Your sponsor confirms it’s willing to appoint you and submits or supports the required licensing documentation. You can work with a direct insurance carrier or a Managing General Agency (MGA); either path works, and the right one depends on how you want to build your business.
If you’re not sure where to start, our recruiting team can walk you through the options and make an introduction – no cost, no obligation.
Step 4: Submit Your Licence Application
Once your sponsor is ready, your application goes to ICS with:
- Proof of LLQP exam completion within the past 12 months
- Sponsoring insurer attestation
- Criminal background check using the form provided by ICS
- Credit check authorization
- Application fee, approximately $200 for a two-year licence
- Errors and omissions insurance certificate
ICS processes applications within 2 to 4 weeks during normal volume periods. Faster turnaround is possible if your file is complete when submitted.
Step 5: Receive Your Licence
Once approved, you receive a Saskatchewan Life Insurance Licence number. You are then legally allowed to sell life insurance and accident and sickness insurance to Saskatchewan residents.
You will receive a Saskatchewan licence even if your sponsor is headquartered outside the province. The licence is provincial, not federal.
Renewing Your Saskatchewan Licence
Your licence is valid for two years from the date of issue. To renew, you need:
- 15 hours of continuing education credits per two-year cycle
- At least one hour specifically focused on ethics
- Continued sponsorship
- Renewal fee of approximately $200 for two years
CE credits must come from courses approved by ICS or reciprocal provincial regulators. Most major Canadian CE providers offer ICS-approved content.
Selling Across Provincial Lines
If you want to sell in Alberta, Manitoba, or other provinces from your Saskatchewan base, you need a non-resident licence in each additional province.
Most regulators recognize the Saskatchewan licence as equivalent and waive the LLQP requirement, but each province charges its own non-resident application fee, typically $100 to $250 annually.
Saskatchewan has reciprocal arrangements with most provinces. If you move to Saskatchewan from elsewhere in Canada with an active life licence, you can typically transfer in without rewriting the LLQP, provided you meet the applicable licensing requirements.
Common Mistakes in Saskatchewan
A few process points can catch new licensees off guard.
Credit check. Saskatchewan reviews credit history as part of the character assessment. A poor credit history does not automatically disqualify you, but it may require an explanation. If you have credit issues, address them honestly in your application disclosure.
E&O coverage. ICS requires errors and omissions insurance to be in place before licensing. Some MGAs include this in your contract. Others require you to purchase it independently. Confirm the arrangement before applying.
Continuing education tracking. CE credits are tracked by the individual licensee, not just by your sponsor. Keep your certificates of completion. ICS may audit licensees periodically.
Branch licensing. If you work for a corporate brokerage in Saskatchewan, the corporation may need to hold its own corporate insurance licence in addition to your individual licence. This depends on the business structure.
Saskatchewan-Specific Continuing Education
Saskatchewan requires one hour of ethics CE per two-year cycle, while the broader 15-hour requirement allows a wide range of topics. Most advisors choose CE that relates directly to their practice, such as estate planning, business insurance, group benefits, or retirement income, rather than generic content.
Approved providers include CE Forum, Advocis CE, ILScorp CE, IFSE CE, and many carrier-sponsored programs.
Key Takeaway
Saskatchewan licensing is one of the more efficient provincial processes in Canada. The LLQP course, exam, sponsorship, and application stages are similar to those in other provinces, but the credit review is slightly more involved and the licence renewal cycle is two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Saskatchewan licensing take?
End to end, expect approximately 8 to 14 weeks from starting your course to having your licence in hand.
How much does it cost to get licensed in Saskatchewan?
Approximately $1,000 to $1,700 total, including the course, exam fees, application, E&O insurance, and criminal background check.
Can I write the LLQP exam online from Saskatchewan?
Yes. Online proctored options may be available across the province, depending on current exam delivery arrangements.
Do I need to live in Saskatchewan to get a Saskatchewan licence?
You can apply as a non-resident if you meet the applicable requirements and have the required sponsorship. Most non-resident licensees hold their home province licence first and then add Saskatchewan as a secondary licence.
What is the Saskatchewan licence renewal CE requirement?
You need 15 hours of CE per two-year cycle, including at least one hour of ethics education.
For the full Canadian licensing path, including province-by-province details, our LLQP Canada Complete Guide is a good next read.