1. EXAMINATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1.1. Examinees are responsible for ensuring they are registered for and receive the correct examination. Individuals with an active license (OTL or licensed in another jurisdiction) are required to do a selfcheck on their eligibility on RIBO’s Equivalency. All other individuals must obtain RIBO approval to waive the Level 1 exam requirements and be eligible to write the equivalency exams.
1.2. Examinees must present original, valid (non-expired) government-issued photo identification (passport, Canadian driver’s license, Canadian health card, Canadian Permanent Resident card) for identity verification before they can write their exam. Digital copies or photocopies are not permitted. Examinees without original, valid government-issued photo identification will not be permitted to write their examination and will be required to reschedule. A rescheduling fee of $75 will apply.
1.3. The name on the government-issued photo identification must match, exactly, the name the examinee used to register for the course/examination (the name in the exam provider’s system / account), otherwise the examinee will not be permitted to write the examination and will be required to reschedule. A rescheduling fee of $75 will apply.
1.4. Examinees who do not have score reports issued in their legal name will be required to request a new score report be produced and verified against their government issued ID. Services fees may apply.
The following rules are intended to ensure that all candidates are given an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of exam content. The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario maintains strict examination security before, during and after the examination. All examination materials are the property of the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO).
Candidates will be presented with the Examination Rules at the start of the examination.
Candidates must read and agree to the Examination Rules before starting the examination.
IMPORTANT: Any individual caught or suspected of cheating during the examination may have their exam reviewed and nullified by the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. If the exam is determined to be null & void, the examination fee will automatically be forfeited.
Examination irregularities and/or breaches of examination rules may result in suspension of examination privileges, refusal of the individual’s registration application, a suspension of the registration, a review by the Qualification & Registration Committee which may result in the individual’s license being revoked, and/or legal action taken against the candidate .
2. GENERAL EXAMINATION RULES
2.1. Only the registered examinee is permitted to take the examination.
2.2. Examinees are strictly prohibited from accessing physical or digital resources including but not limited to books, notes, cell phones, or electronic devices such as smart watches, tablets, headphones, or any technology that can be used to transmit information during the examination and during any breaks.
2.3. Recording or copying of exam content including writing, copying and pasting, taking screen shots, photos, or recordings of questions and answers, is strictly prohibited.
2.4. Sharing of exam content or discussing it with anyone is prohibited, both before, during, and after the exam. Posting exam content online or in person is also strictly prohibited.
2.5. Only tools and resources provided within the examination interface, such as an online calculator and/or notetaking section, if applicable, may be used during the exam.
2.6. Communication with anyone other than authorized personnel (e.g., proctor) is not allowed during the exam.
2.7. All written responses must be expressed using the student’s own words. Submitting content that is identical to passages in textbooks, or to any other source, is strictly prohibited.
2.8. Examinees are not allowed to hide or place any prohibited materials in the test-taking area that could be viewed or accessed during the exam.
2.9. Reading, copying, or attempting to/from any other person is prohibited.
2.10. Food is not allowed in the examination area.
2.11. Drinks are allowed but must be in a clear container with no markings, labels, or branding.
2.12. Leaving the examination area requires permission from the proctor. Unauthorized breaks will result in termination of the exam and nullification of the results.
2.13. Examinees must maintain professionalism and courtesy with the proctor at all times
2.14. Examinees must follow all proctor instructions and warnings.
2.15. Examinations are routinely reviewed for irregularities and/or breaches of exam rules. Candidates whose examinations indicate irregularities and/or breaches of examination rules may have their examination nullified by their exam service provider. If the examination is determined to be null and void, the examination fee will automatically be forfeited.
2.16. Candidates must remove and place out of reach any head coverings that are not deemed essential for their identity or self-expression (e.g., religion, cultural identity) such as hats, watches, sunglasses, and other head coverings.
2.17. Candidates are responsible for verifying their eligibility for licensure prior to taking the exam. Passing the exam does not guarantee full eligibility, as additional background checks (including but not limited to, criminal records and conflicts of interest with other licensing bodies) will be conducted during the formal licensing application process.
3. RULES FOR VIRTUALLY PROCTORED EXAMINATIONS ONLY
3.1. The examination area must be free of prohibited materials, including but not limited to books, notes, cell phones, or electronic devices, and smartwatches, for the entire duration of the exam, including breaks. If a cellphone is used to conduct a room scan, it must be placed in another room, or out of reach and within the proctor’s view, once the room scan is complete.
3.2. Multiple monitors or TV screens are not permitted near the examination area.
3.3. Actions that may be interpreted as attempts to communicate with others or consult unauthorized resources, including but not limited to the actions listed here, are strictly prohibited.
3.3.1. Repeatedly/excessively looking off screen
3.3.2. Obstructing their face with anything such as papers or hands
3.3.3. Speaking to someone else in the room
3.3.4. Speaking, whispering, or singing in any language
3.3.5. Moving outside of camera view, turning off their camera, or turning off their microphone
3.3.6. Interacting with another person, other than the proctor, in any way
3.3.7. Accessing any content, software applications, or websites during the examination other than the examination platform
3.3.8. Excessive noise in the environment or playing music
3.4. Rescheduling due to technical issues (excluding software incompatibility) is allowed with a potential rescheduling fee, and will not count as an attempt.
3.5. If there is any loss of video, audio, or screen for a period exceeding 5 minutes during the exam, it will result in the termination of the exam and nullification of the results.
3.6. One short break of 5 minutes is permitted during the exam, with prior approval from the proctor. Prohibited materials must not be accessed or used during this break. The exam timer continues during the break.
3.7. Examinees must ensure a stable and uninterrupted internet connection throughout the entire duration of the exam. Technical disruptions due to internet instability may lead to exam termination and nullification of exam results.
3.8. Examinees should perform a system check before the scheduled exam time to ensure that their computer, webcam, microphone, and any required software are functioning correctly. Failure to do so may result in delays and could affect the examination experience.
3.9. Any attempt to tamper with or manipulate the examination software, including but not limited to unauthorized access to system settings or other software during the exam, is strictly prohibited.
3.10. Examinees should ensure that their webcam is properly positioned to capture their face for the entire duration of the exam.
3.11. Examinees are responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary technical equipment, including a computer and a stable internet connection, to participate in the Virtually Proctored Examination.
3.11.1. Equipment Requirements
3.11.2. What Operating Systems/Devices Are Supported?
3.11.3. Online Proctoring FAQ
4. Data Collection and Sharing:
4.1. Examinee Data: During the examination process, certain personal information may be collected, including but not limited to the examinee’s name, date of birth, member ID, address, email address, and other relevant identifying details.
4.2. Exam Grade: Information regarding the examinee’s exam performance, such as grade and scores, will be recorded and stored.
4.3. Technical Data: To ensure the integrity of the examination process, technical data such as IP address and device ID may be collected.
4.4. Exam Footage: In the case of virtually proctored examinations, videos and audio footage of the examinee during the exam will be recorded.
4.5. Other Pertinent Information: Any other data deemed necessary for the administration and security of the examination may also be collected, stored and analyzed.
5. Data Storage and Sharing:
5.1. All collected data will be securely stored by the IBAO in accordance with relevant privacy laws and regulations.
5.2. The IBAO may share this data with Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario, the Insurance Institute of Ontario and any of their respective services providers (who are under strict confidentiality and use restrictions) for the purposes of the exam administration, security, compliance, and data analysis.
5.3. Examinee data may also be used for statistical and research purposes, with any personally identifiable information anonymized to protect examinee privacy.
5.4. The handling and sharing of examinee data will be done in strict compliance with applicable data protection and privacy laws.
6. Examination Registration Policies
6.1. Please refer to the IBAO exam policies for information on eligibility, withdrawal, rescheduling, rewrite policy, transfer, absence, technical issues, legal name, failure to book the exam, and accommodations.
6.2. Examinees are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the rules and policies. Violations may result in forfeiture of exam fees, disqualification, or other consequences as deemed appropriate.