How to apply for an insurance intermediary IA license in Hong Kong?

Many students who have no experience in the insurance industry feel puzzled about the procedures regarding applying for a license. This article mainly teaches students how to prepare to apply for a insurance license.

First of all, to apply for an insurance license, you need to meet the requirements of the “Fit and Proper” Guidelines (GL23/Guideline 23) and the Guidelines on  “Continuing Professional Development for Licensed Insurance Intermediaries  ” (GL24/Guideline 24) under the Insurance Ordinance (Chapter 41) issued by the Insurance Authority . For example, it is necessary for you to take the IIQE (Insurance Intermediaries Qualifying Examination) relevant examination papers and obtain passing results, to have qualification equivalent or higher than Hong Kong’s Form 5 academic level , and to have no recent records of bankruptcy, and also to possess appropriate ability and skills etc; or else it will affect your ability to continue working in the insurance industry. 

Guideline on “Fit and Proper” Criteria Under The Insurance Ordinance”(GL23/Guideline 23)

https://www.ia.org.hk/en/legislative_framework/files/GL4.pdf

Guidelines on “Continuing Professional Development for Licensed Insurance Intermediaries” (GL24/Guideline 24)

https://www.ia.org.hk/english/supervision/reg_ins_intermediaries/files/GuidelineonContinuingProfessionalDevelopmentforLicensedInsuranceIntermediaries.pdf

Whether you decide to look for a job or take the exams first, both decisions are actually doable without any particular order. Taking the exams first can show your sincerity towards your perspective employer; whereas finding a job before applying to partake in the exam can ensure that your effort is not wasted. Although the two approaches do not have any particular order, they are indeed indispensable. Let’s talk about the exams first. After successfully obtaining the relevant exam results, you need to download or keep a printed copy of the score notice, and pay attention to the validity period of the score. As for finding a job, you need to find a company to hire you before you can apply for a license. Because the Insurance Authority will only process individual applications with the circumstance that that person is appointed by a company, and will not accept applications that are submitted by individuals on their own; as the individual licenses cannot be valid without a company (Principal). Therefore, to obtain a license, either find a job or open a company on your own. 

After passing the exam and obtaining a job, you need to check with the HR or the compliance department on what documents are required to be submitted. If you wish to be more meticulous, you can even prepare some necessary documents in advance. For example, you will need to prepare your academic qualifications proof, IIQE relevant exam passing result notice. You are required to provide your result notifications / employment proof / professional qualification proof, if you wish to be exempted from taking the IIQE. You also need to hand over personal information to the colleague who is going to submit your license application form, including the company information you currently act as a director, criminal record, bankruptcy record, MPFA, SFC and HKMA CE Number/License Number (if any).

After submitting all the documents to the HR and compliance department, your duties in applying for your license are complete, the rest of the application procedure will be done by your HR or compliance colleagues. They will submit your application to the Insurance Authority, as well as answering any questions raised by IA; in saying that, your colleagues may also need your help in the process. The application may take several weeks to ten weeks, depending on your background or the complexity of the certification and the workload of the Insurance Authorities staff.

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