CE Exemption for Parental Leave FAQs

A licensee may submit a request to the Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan (ICS) to have their Continuing Education (CE) credit hours waived while they are on parental leave and their licence is suspended.

The exemption applies to licensees falling under the:  

• General Insurance Council (GICS) Bylaws that must follow the continuing education requirement (P&C, Restricted Auto, P&C Adjuster, Travel, Crop Hail Adjuster); and   
• Life Insurance Council (LICS) Bylaws that must follow the continuing education requirement (Life and/or Accident & Sickness).

The exemption does not apply to the mandatory ethics training required by section 9-3 of the GICS and LICS Bylaws, which must still be completed  

An exemption of up to 12 months can be requested.

If the CE exemption for parental leave period occurs within one CE reporting year (annual reporting year), the hours will be prorated for that year. All required prorated CE credit hours for the reporting year must be completed before the application is approved. (See the Prorated CE Credit Hours Table). 

If the CE exemption for parental leave period falls over two CE reporting years (annual reporting years), the hours will be prorated for each reporting year. All required prorated CE credit hours for the current reporting year must be completed before the application is approved. (See the Prorated CE Credit Hours Table).   

If the CE exemption for parental leave period falls over two CE reporting years (annual reporting years), the hours will be prorated for each reporting year. All required prorated CE credit hours for the current reporting year must be completed before the application is approved. (See the Prorated CE Credit Hours Table).   

CE credit hours may be prorated using the Prorated CE Credit Hours Table if the request is for less than 12 months or falls over two CE reporting years. The total of the prorated credited hours will be rounded to the nearest credit hour.   

The licensee’s licence must be suspended during the parental leave. This means that:

• The licensee cannot carry on the business of insurance or collect commissions during this time. 
• The licensee does not require E&O coverage while they are suspended. 

No. While the licence is suspended, the licensee cannot receive commissions.

Licensees must request a CE exemption at least 30 days before the start of the leave, or as soon as practicable where advance notice is not possible, using the Request for Continuing Education Exemption for Parental Leave Form.  

If the CE exemption for parental leave period occurs within one CE reporting year (annual reporting year), the hours will be prorated for that year. All required prorated CE credit hours for the reporting year must be completed before the application is approved. (See the Prorated CE Credit Hours Table). 

If the CE exemption for parental leave period falls over two CE reporting years (annual reporting years), the hours will be prorated for each reporting year. All required prorated CE credit hours for the current reporting year must be completed before the application is approved. (See the Prorated CE Credit Hours Table).   

Licensees must request a CE exemption to ICS as soon as possible and at least 30 days before the start of the leave by using the Request for Continuing Education Exemption for Parental Leave Form.  

The licensee must complete the request indicating the: 

• anticipated start date of their parental leave;  
• anticipated end date of their parental leave; and  
• required prorated CE credit hours for the current reporting year (if applicable).  

The request is to be signed and dated by the licensee and their recommender.  

The request and supporting documentation should be emailed to info@skcouncil.sk.ca. ICS will acknowledge receipt of requests within five business days.  

A list of the completed prorated CE credit hours required in the current reporting year, including:

• name of the course provider(s); 
• name of the course(s) taken; 
• date the course(s) were taken; and  
• number of credit hours per course. 

ICS will make reasonable efforts to issue a decision within 30 calendar days of receiving a completed request. The licensee will be informed by email if their request meets the exemption requirements.  

If the request does not meet the requirements, the response will include the reason(s) why, as well as information on how to request a review of the decision.  

The licensee may request a review of a decision within 14 calendar days of receiving the decision.  

The request must be sent by email to info@skcouncil.sk.ca. The written request should include the reason(s) for the review and any supporting information the licensee wishes to provide.  

If an urgent situation arises that causes the licensee to unexpectantly begin their leave, please contact ICS as soon as possible. 

• A grace period of up to three months may be provided upon reinstatement to complete the required CE credit hours for the current CE reporting year. 
• A certificate from a qualified medical practitioner may be required. 

Requests to extend or shorten the term of the CE exemption must be sent by email to info@skcouncil.sk.ca at least 30 days before the requested changed date. 

• If the original CE exemption was for a term of less than 12 months, the licensee may request to extend the term to a maximum of 12 months.  
• CE hours will be adjusted based on the Prorated CE Hours Table.

It is the responsibility of the licensee to reinstate their licence at the end of the parental leave. Failure to reinstate may result in cancellation of the licence.  

Reinstatement should be requested at least 30 days before the reinstatement date by completing the Request for Reinstatement Following Parental Leave Form. 

Once the licensee’s reinstatement request is approved, ICS will provide the licensee with the CE credit hours required for the licensee’s CE reporting year (annual reporting year), based on the Prorated CE Credit Hours Table.