RIBO 1 Exam Information (2026)

Last Updated on October 12, 2026 by Jacques Wong, B.Sc.

Passing the RIBO Level 1 exam is the gateway to becoming a licensed insurance broker in Ontario, and it’s mandatory for anyone working as an entry-level broker in the province. This guide covers everything for 2026: eligibility requirements, exam format, how to register, study strategies, and what happens whether you pass or fail, so you’re ready to earn your RIBO license and start your career as an insurance broker in Ontario.

What is the RIBO Level 1 license?

This certification ensures you meet the professional standards required to provide clients with informed, confident advice about insurance products and services. This will allow you to sell a variety of insurance products, including:

• Home Insurance
• Business Insurance
• Auto Insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Liability Insurance

Basically everything except: Life & Health Insurance, which requires an LLQP License.

Start your RIBO journey with confidence.

Our RIBO 1 course gives you the exact tools and guidance you need to pass on your first try.

Enroll now

RIBO Level 1 exam updates for 2026

The exam blueprint introduced for 2025 is now the current standard candidates are tested against. The blueprint defines:

• Competencies: The skills, abilities, and behaviours expected of a licensed insurance broker in Ontario.
• Cognitive Skills: The extent to which a candidate’s ability to identify, comprehend, and apply concepts is tested.
• Content Areas: How the competency profile is distributed across the lines of business an entry-level broker is likely to encounter day-to-day.

Two other updates to know for 2026:

• The RIBO Level 1 exam fee increased from $300 to $325, effective January 1, 2026.
• RIBO also changed the Level 2 and Level 3 exam pathways effective January 1, 2026. These changes don’t affect Level 1 candidates directly, but if you’re planning your longer-term licensing path, read our full breakdown of the 2026 RIBO licensing changes for Level 2 and Level 3.

Eligibility requirements

Before you register, make sure you meet RIBO’s eligibility criteria:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be legally eligible to work in Canada (citizenship or permanent residency isn’t required).
• You must have a criminal record history that satisfies RIBO’s suitability requirements.
• You must satisfy RIBO’s “only business or employment” rule; insurance must be your current employment or the industry you’re actively entering.
• No prior insurance experience or post-secondary education is required.

RIBO Level 1 exam format

The RIBO Level 1 exam consists of:

• 100 graded multiple-choice questions
• 15 ungraded pilot questions (they are testing these questions for future content. They don’t affect your score but are mixed in with graded questions so they’re indistinguishable)

That’s 115 total questions. You need at least 75% to pass, with 3 hours to complete the exam, so focus on time management and mastering the graded questions, since they determine your final result.

Exam content breakdown

The exam mainly covers personal lines questions, plus a few basic commercial lines questions. While studying, prioritize the common habitational insurance forms (homeowners, tenants, condos, etc.), automobile insurance, and travel insurance. Here’s the content breakdown:

• General Insurance and Industry Knowledge (25%): Types of insurers, classes of insurance, insurance terms, contract parts, RIB Act/By-laws.
• Personal Lines Habitational Insurance (25%): Liability, fire & EC, homeowner’s insurance, vacancy permits.
• Personal Lines Automobile Insurance (25%): OAP #1, OAP #6, and OPF #2.
• Commercial Lines (20%): Commercial property (named perils & broad form), CGL, business interruption, commercial auto, coinsurance, reinsurance & subscription.
• Travel Insurance (5%)

In terms of question types, the focus is on checking whether you can recognize, understand, and apply the various concepts:

• Knowledge Questions: 40-45%
• Comprehension Questions: 40-45%
• Application Questions: 15-20%

For an in-depth understanding, our online RIBO 1 insurance exam prep course provides detailed modules, real-world cases, and practice questions tailored to these categories.

Open-book exam resources

Good news! The RIBO exam is partially open-book. During the test, you’ll have access to a comprehensive PDF of essential resources, including:

• Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP) #1
• RIBO By-Laws
• RIB Act
• Ontario Regulations

These materials are available for reference through our PNC Learning course, so you know exactly what to expect on the exam. Some exams do restrict specific materials, for instance, OAP 1 is only accessible for exams covering automobile-related content.

Try our courses for yourself.

Sign up for a free trial and get $10 off any course or bundle.

Get Access Now

How to register for the RIBO Level 1 exam

There are two approved exam providers, and registration is first-come, first-served and closes 10 days before your chosen exam date. For the full step-by-step process, see our how to register for the RIBO exam guide.

IBAO vs Insurance Institute: choosing your exam provider

IBAO (Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario) and the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC) are both approved to administer the exam, with the same content and $325 fee, your choice comes down to location and format.

Here is a more in-depth breakdown of registering for the RIBO exam.

Online vs in-person exam options

• Online-proctored exams (available through December 31, 2026): Candidates can write the exam remotely using their own computer. You must have a compatible device, webcam, microphone, reliable internet connection, and a suitable testing environment.
• In-person exams (available before and after January 1, 2027): Candidates attend an authorized testing centre and complete the computer-based exam using the equipment provided at the center. Available dates and locations depend on the provider.
• Important: Starting January 1, 2027, remote online-proctored RIBO exams will be discontinued. All candidates must write their exams in person at an authorized testing center in Canada. If you plan to take the exam in early 2027, book an in-person appointment through IIC or IBAO.

How to prepare for the RIBO Level 1 exam

• Understand the current blueprint: Align your study plan with the key competencies and content areas it’s built around.
• Choose an appropriate prep course: A structured RIBO 1 course provides the learning material, expert insights, and resources you need to succeed.
• Leverage open-book resources: Get familiar with the OAP #1, RIB Act, and other test materials beforehand, so you can quickly locate answers during the exam.
• Practice with sample questions: Build confidence with mock tests and scenario-based exercises; the key is understanding the content well enough to apply it, not just memorizing it.

How long should you study?

Most candidates study part-time for 3-4 weeks, roughly 60-80 hours total. Consistent daily sessions beat cramming, and booking your exam date in advance helps you work backwards and build a realistic schedule. For a closer look at licensing timelines, see how long it takes to get your RIBO license.

Study strategies that improve your pass rate

One of the most effective strategies we’ve seen from students is analog: print your notes and annotate them by hand, since research shows handwriting improves recall over typing or highlighting alone. Use a pen first to mark up key concepts and knowledge gaps as you study, then go back over your notes with a highlighter to flag the most important points. In your final review, focus only on the sections you’ve penned and highlighted rather than re-reading everything; it keeps your last study sessions efficient and targeted.

Pair this approach with our practice questions to test how well those concepts are sticking.

What happens after you pass?

Passing the exam is a huge milestone, but it doesn’t mean you’re licensed yet. One of the biggest misconceptions about RIBO licensing is the order of operations: most people assume you apply for a license first and then find a job. It’s actually the reverse, pass the exam, then start job searching immediately. This is also where PNC Learning goes further than most exam prep providers: beyond helping you pass the exam, we help with your job search too, a real differentiator when you’re trying to break into the industry.

Once you’re hired:

• Your sponsoring brokerage submits a letter to RIBO on your behalf.
• Submit a criminal record check (no more than 60 days old), government-issued ID, and your license application.
• Pay the $350 license application fee, your license typically arrives within 1-2 weeks if everything’s in order.
• Under a Level 1 license, you’ll work under the supervision of a Principal Broker.

For a full look at what licensing costs to expect at each stage, check out our RIBO licensing cost breakdown.

What if you fail the RIBO Level 1 exam?

If you don’t pass on your first try, here’s the rewrite process:

• You get 2 attempts per exam provider, since IBAO and IIC are separate providers, that’s up to 4 total attempts if you use both.
• There’s a minimum 14-day gap between attempts with the same provider.
• Through December 31, 2026, the existing eight-month waiting period applies. Starting January 1, 2027, the waiting period will be reduced to three months when you have failed twice with the same provider.
• Results are typically released about 2 weeks after your exam (IBAO may offer an informal score within 1-2 business days).
• There’s no remark or appeal process for Level 1, since it’s 100% multiple choice. Remarks and appeals only apply to Level 2 and Level 3, which include written response sections.

RIBO does not provide a study book – students need to find their own prep materials, which is where most confusion starts. Preparation is the key to passing on your first attempt. Enroll in our RIBO 1 Course for exam prep tailored to the current blueprint, and when you’re ready, read our RIBO Exam Registration guide for step-by-step help toward a rewarding career as an insurance broker in Ontario.

FAQ