Updated 1 November 2026
To sell insurance in Kenya you need an insurance agent licence Kenya’s Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) issues through the eCitizen portal. The licence fee is KSh 1,000, renewal is KSh 1,000 a year and a late renewal attracts a KSh 1,000 penalty. You need your ID or passport and proof of an insurance qualification for the principal officer, usually the Certificate of Proficiency (COP) from the College of Insurance. An agent’s principal officer may represent only one insurer at a time. Below are the requirements, the qualification options and the steps.
Updated 1 November 2026 from IRA’s Agents Licensing page (ira.go.ke). Check IRA’s latest renewal circular for the current year’s deadline.
Insurance agent licence Kenya fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New agent licence | KSh 1,000 |
| Annual renewal | KSh 1,000 |
| Late renewal penalty | KSh 1,000 |
Source: IRA Agents Licensing, checked 1 November 2026. IRA’s page set the last published renewal deadline as 30 September, ahead of the new licence year, and IRA issues a circular each year (for example Circular IC-11/2024 on renewals for 2025). Pay individually: IRA says eCitizen does not support bulk payments by insurers, so each agent pays their own fee.
The COP course and exam fees are charged separately by the College of Insurance; check its current fee list.
Requirements for an insurance agent licence
- National ID card or passport of the applicant.
- Evidence of an insurance qualification for the principal officer, one of:
- Certificate of Proficiency (COP) or Executive Certificate of Proficiency (ECOP)
- COP exemption certificate from the College of Insurance
- An insurance professional qualification from an approved organisation
- A Bachelor of Commerce (Insurance Option) from a recognised university
- For corporate agents: a certificate of registration of business name or certificate of incorporation. Start with reserving a business name on eCitizen.
- The principal officer may represent only one insurance company at a time.
Individual vs corporate agent
| Individual agent | Corporate agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | You personally, with COP or equivalent | A registered business whose principal officer has COP or equivalent |
| Extra documents | ID or passport | Business name or incorporation certificate |
| Insurer representation | One insurer at a time | Principal officer: one insurer at a time |
If you want to place business with many insurers, you need an insurance broker licence instead, which has much higher capital and qualification requirements.
How to get an insurance agent licence in Kenya
- Get qualified. Enrol for the COP at the College of Insurance (or confirm your degree or professional qualification is recognised).
- Get your KRA PIN if you don’t have one (KRA PIN guide); commissions are taxable.
- Join an insurer. Your insurer’s agency department usually starts the online registration and links you as its agent.
- Complete IRA online registration, uploading your ID and qualification.
- Pay KSh 1,000 on eCitizen yourself.
- Get licensed and keep a copy to show clients.
- Renew every year before IRA’s deadline to avoid the KSh 1,000 penalty.
Earnings and tax
Agents earn commission set by their contract and IRA rules. Insurers deduct withholding tax on commissions; use the withholding tax calculator to estimate yours, and file an annual return on iTax (see how to file KRA returns).
Practising legally: tips
- Never collect premiums in cash without an official receipt; pay through the insurer’s channels.
- Switching insurers? Your principal officer can represent only one at a time, so end the first agency before starting another.
- Clients can check an agent’s licence with IRA before buying.
IRA contacts
Insurance Regulatory Authority, Zep-Re Place, Longonot Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi. Tel 020 4996000 or 0719 047000, email commins@ira.go.ke; complaints complaints@ira.go.ke. Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Insurance agent licence Kenya: what happens after you are licensed
Your insurer will usually give product training, an agent code and sales targets. Most new agents start with motor, medical or life products, then grow into education, pension and business covers. Build a client list from people you already know, and keep records of every policy you sell, the premium paid and the renewal date, since renewals are where commissions repeat.
IRA expects agents to explain policies honestly, disclose that they represent one insurer, and pass premiums to the insurer promptly. Mis-selling or holding premiums can lead to complaints and loss of the insurance agent licence Kenya regulators issued. If a client complains, IRA’s complaints desk (complaints@ira.go.ke) handles it, so good records protect you.
Agent vs broker in one line
An agent sells for one insurer; a broker shops the market for the client and needs a separate, more demanding IRA licence.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an insurance agent licence in Kenya?
KSh 1,000 for a new licence and KSh 1,000 a year to renew, with a KSh 1,000 penalty for late renewal.
Do I need COP to be an insurance agent?
The principal officer needs COP, ECOP, a COP exemption, an approved professional qualification or a BCom (Insurance Option).
Can an agent work for two insurance companies?
No. IRA says the principal officer may represent only one insurance entity at a time.
Where do I pay the IRA agent licence fee?
On eCitizen, individually.
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