Current exam facts: RIBO currently describes the Level 1 exam as a three-hour exam with 100 scored multiple-choice questions, plus 15 unscored pilot questions. The passing grade is 75%. Exam fees are currently $325 per attempt. Always confirm current details with RIBO or an approved exam provider before registering.
RIBO Level 1 exam format in 2026
The current blueprint divides the 100 scored questions across five content domains. The 15 pilot questions are not scored and are designed to look like regular exam questions.
| Domain | Scored questions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| General Insurance & Industry Knowledge | 25 | 25% |
| Personal Lines: Habitational | 25 | 25% |
| Personal Lines: Automobile | 25 | 25% |
| Commercial Lines | 20 | 20% |
| Travel Health | 5 | 5% |
Time and passing score
The exam is three hours long. The current passing requirement is at least 75 out of the 100 scored questions. A strong prep plan therefore needs breadth across all five domains rather than over-investing in one favourite area.
Current exam fee
RIBO lists the exam fee at $325 CAD per attempt for exams scheduled on or after January 1, 2026. The exam fee is separate from RIBO licensing fees.
What the questions are trying to test
The competency framework is not limited to memorizing definitions. It includes legal and regulatory compliance, professionalism and ethics, product and industry knowledge, risk assessment, advising, claims service, critical thinking, information management, relationship management and continuous learning.
Policy wordings during the exam
RIBO's FAQ states that Level 1 candidates have access to policy wordings during online or paper-based examinations. That makes navigation and application important: the goal is not to memorize every line, but to know what concept you are looking for and how to use it.
A practical study approach
- Build the rule or concept topic by topic.
- Immediately answer application questions.
- Separate calculations into their own practice sessions.
- Use short case studies to connect coverages and broker actions.
- Review memory cards for rules and distinctions.
- Finish with a timed 100-question mock built to the current domain weighting.