IRA License Kenya: The 8 Documents You Need (2026)

Three months ago, a friend asked me to help him get his IRA license.

"How hard can it be?" he said.

Two weeks later, his application got rejected.

The reason?

Missing one document he didn't know he needed.

The IRA (Insurance Regulatory Authority) doesn't play games. They have rules. You follow them or you don't get licensed.

Here's the complete checklist. Everything you need. Nothing you don't.

Table of Contents

• What Is the IRA License?
• Who Can Apply for an IRA License?
• The Complete IRA License Requirements (2026)
  • Document 1: National ID Copy
  • Document 2: KRA PIN Certificate
  • Document 3: KCSE Certificate (or Equivalent)
  • Document 4: Certificate of Proficiency (COP)
  • Document 5: Certificate of Good Conduct (Police Clearance)
  • Document 6: Passport-Size Photo
  • Document 7: Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Document 8: Letter of Appointment (from Insurance Company)
• Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Your IRA License
  • Step 1: Pass Your Professional Exams
  • Step 2: Get Appointed by an Insurance Company
  • Step 3: Gather All Required Documents
  • Step 4: Create an IRA Portal Account
  • Step 5: Fill Out the Online Application
  • Step 6: Upload All Documents
  • Step 7: Pay Application Fee
  • Step 8: Submit Application
• How Long Does Approval Take?
• What Happens After Approval?
  • Step 9: Confirm Your Payment Went Through
  • Step 10: Collect Your License Certificate
• Annual License Renewal
  • How to Renew
  • Common Renewal Problems
  • Set a Reminder
• How Much Does It Cost (Total)?
• Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
• What If Your Application Gets Rejected?
• Can You Sell Insurance Before Getting Your License?
• IRA License vs. Company Appointment: What's the Difference?
• How to Get Your First Company Appointment
  • Step 1: Pick Your Insurance Companies
  • Step 2: Apply Directly
  • Step 3: Attend Interview
  • Step 4: Get Appointment Letter
• Can You Work for Multiple Insurance Companies?
• What Does "Fit and Proper" Mean?
• CPD Requirements (Continuing Professional Development)
• IRA Office Locations (In Case You Need to Visit)
• FAQs
• Next Steps

What Is the IRA License?

The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) is Kenya's insurance regulator.

If you want to sell insurance legally in Kenya, you need their license.

Three types of licenses:

1. Insurance Agent — Sell for one company (tied agent)
2. Insurance Broker — Sell for multiple companies
3. Insurance Agency — Run an agency with multiple agents

We're focusing on Insurance Agent license (the most common).

Who Can Apply for an IRA License?

Basic requirements:

✔ Age: 18 years or older ✔ Education: KCSE certificate (or equivalent) ✔ Citizenship: Kenyan citizen or legal resident ✔ Clean record: No fraud or criminal convictions ✔ Professional qualification: Passed (or exempted from) the Certificate of Proficiency (COP) exam ✔ Fit and proper: Sound mind, not bankrupt

If you tick all those boxes, you qualify.

The Complete IRA License Requirements (2026)

Here's what you need. Every. Single. Item.

Document 1: National ID Copy

• Clear, colored photocopy
• Both sides
• Must be valid

Document 2: KRA PIN Certificate

• Download from iTax portal
• Must be active
• Date within last 6 months

Document 3: KCSE Certificate (or Equivalent)

• Certified copy
• Minimum D+ grade
• Or diploma/degree certificate

Document 4: Certificate of Proficiency (COP)

This is the one people get wrong.

To register as an agent, IRA asks for the Certificate of Proficiency (COP) in Insurance. You either pass it or get a formal exemption. The College of Insurance runs the exam.

Bring:

• A certified copy of your COP pass certificate, or
• Your exemption letter

ACII, FLMI and AIIK are great for your career later. They're not what IRA asks a new agent for.

Already hold a higher insurance qualification? Ask the College about an exemption before you sit COP.

Document 5: Certificate of Good Conduct (Police Clearance)

• Apply at eCitizen (www.ecitizen.go.ke)
• Cost: KES 1,050
• Takes 5-7 working days
• Valid for 6 months

Document 6: Passport-Size Photo

• Colored
• White background
• Recent (within last 6 months)
• Digital format (JPEG, max 200KB)

Document 7: Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Updated
• Include education, work experience
• Contact details

Document 8: Letter of Appointment (from Insurance Company)

This is critical.

An insurance company must appoint you as their agent before you apply.

The letter should include:

• Your full name
• ID number
• Type of insurance (life, general, or both)
• Company's official stamp

How to get it: Apply directly to insurance companies (Jubilee, Britam, AAR, etc.). They'll interview you and issue the appointment letter.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Your IRA License

Step 1: Pass Your Professional Exams

You can't apply without the COP (or an exemption).

Timeline: depends on the College of Insurance exam calendar. Check the next sitting before you plan anything else.

Step 2: Get Appointed by an Insurance Company

Apply to insurers. Get your appointment letter.

Timeline: 1-4 weeks

Step 3: Gather All Required Documents

Use the checklist above. Don't skip anything.

Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Step 4: Create an IRA Portal Account

Go to: ira.go.ke

Click "Online Services" > "Agent Registration"

Create an account with:

• Email
• Phone number
• ID number

Step 5: Fill Out the Online Application

Log into the IRA portal.

Fill in:

• Personal details
• Educational background
• Professional qualifications
• Employer/appointing company details

Step 6: Upload All Documents

Upload clear, legible scans of:

• ID
• KRA PIN
• Certificate of Good Conduct
• Professional certificate
• Appointment letter
• Photo
• CV

File formats: PDF or JPEG Max file size: 2MB per document

Step 7: Pay Application Fee

Cost: KES 1,000

Payment methods:

• M-Pesa
• Bank transfer
• Credit/debit card

You'll get a payment reference number.

Step 8: Submit Application

Review everything. Click "Submit."

You'll get a confirmation email with your application reference number.

Keep this number. You'll need it to track your application.

How Long Does Approval Take?

Official timeline: 14-21 working days

Reality: 10-30 days

What IRA does during this time:

• Verifies your documents
• Confirms your professional qualifications
• Checks your police clearance
• Validates your appointment letter

If anything is wrong, they'll email you. Fix it fast. Delays reset the clock.

What Happens After Approval?

You'll get an email: "Your application has been approved."

Step 9: Confirm Your Payment Went Through

There's no second, bigger licence fee today. The KES 1,000 you paid in Step 7 is the registration fee for the year.

Check the portal shows it as paid. A payment that didn't reflect is the most common reason an approved application stalls.

Step 10: Collect Your License Certificate

Options:

• Download from IRA portal (digital copy)
• Pick up at IRA offices (Nairobi, Hospital Road)
• Request courier delivery (additional fee)

Your license includes:

• Your name
• License number
• Type of insurance (life, general, or both)
• Appointing company
• Expiry date

Frame it. Clients will ask to see it.

Annual License Renewal

Your registration lasts one year. You renew it every year.

The deadline is 30 September. Renew on or before 30 September each year.

Heads up: the draft Insurance Regulations 2025 propose raising the annual agent fee to KES 10,000. That's a proposal, not law. If it's gazetted, the renewal fee changes with it. Check the portal for the current amount before you pay.

How to Renew

1. Log into the IRA portal with your existing account. Forgot the password? Reset it with your registered email.
2. Check your details first. Phone, email, address, appointing insurer. Out-of-date details slow everything down.
3. Fill in the renewal application. It's the same agent registration form, marked as a renewal.
4. Pay KES 1,000 via M-Pesa or bank. Save the receipt.
5. Download your renewed certificate once it's approved, and send a copy to your insurer.

Common Renewal Problems

"My payment isn't showing." Give it a day or two. Still missing? Email IRA with your receipt.

"My account is locked." Usually after too many failed logins. Call IRA.

"My photo was rejected." Passport-style, white background, recent. No filters.

Set a Reminder

• 1 September: Log in. Check your details. Confirm your appointment is still current.
• By 15 September: Pay and submit.
• After approval: Download the certificate. Send it to your insurer.

Portals get busy right before a deadline. Don't leave it to the 30th.

Miss it, and you pay the KES 1,000 penalty on top. Don't write new business on a lapsed registration.

How Much Does It Cost (Total)?

Let's add it up:

Subsequent years: KES 1,000 (renewal, by 30 September)

Most of the cost is the exam. Once you pass, licensing is cheap.

Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

Mistake 1: Applying Before Passing Exams You MUST have your professional certificate first.

Mistake 2: No Appointment Letter You need a company to appoint you before applying.

Mistake 3: Expired Police Clearance Must be dated within 6 months of application.

Mistake 4: Poor Quality Document Scans Blurry, unreadable scans = automatic rejection.

Mistake 5: Wrong Payment Amount The registration fee is KES 1,000. Check the portal for the current amount before you pay.

Mistake 6: Incomplete CV Include everything: education, work history, contact info.

What If Your Application Gets Rejected?

Don't panic.

IRA will email you the reason.

Common rejection reasons:

• Missing documents
• Invalid professional certificate
• Expired police clearance
• Discrepancies in information

What to do:

1. Fix the issue
2. Resubmit
3. Pay application fee again (KES 1,000)

Timeline: 7-14 days after resubmission

Can You Sell Insurance Before Getting Your License?

No.

It's an offence under the Insurance Act to act as an insurance agent without being registered.

Don't risk it.

Wait for your license.

IRA License vs. Company Appointment: What's the Difference?

IRA License:

• Issued by the government (IRA)
• Allows you to legally sell insurance in Kenya
• Required by law

Company Appointment:

• Issued by an insurance company (Jubilee, Britam, etc.)
• Allows you to sell that company's products
• Required to get commissions

You need BOTH.

License = legal permission Appointment = who you're selling for

How to Get Your First Company Appointment

Before you can apply for an IRA license, you need an appointment letter.

How to get it:

Step 1: Pick Your Insurance Companies

Choose 1-3 companies you want to sell for.

Top options:

• Jubilee
• Britam
• AAR
• Madison
• CIC

Step 2: Apply Directly

Go to their website or head office.

Submit:

• CV
• ID copy
• Professional certificate copy

Step 3: Attend Interview

They'll assess:

• Your qualifications
• Your sales potential
• Your professionalism

Step 4: Get Appointment Letter

If approved, they'll issue an official appointment letter.

This letter is what you submit to IRA.

Can You Work for Multiple Insurance Companies?

Yes, if you're a broker.

But that requires a broker license, not an agent license.

Agent license:

• Tied to 1-2 companies
• Easier to get
• Lower requirements

Broker license:

• Independent
• Sell for any company
• Requires KES 1 million professional indemnity insurance
• More complex application

Start with an agent license. Upgrade to broker later if needed.

What Does "Fit and Proper" Mean?

IRA uses the "fit and proper person" test.

They check:

• No fraud convictions
• No bankruptcy
• No history of license revocation
• Sound mental health
• Financial stability

How they verify:

• Police clearance (criminal record)
• Credit reference bureau check (if applicable)
• Professional history

If you've got a clean record, you're fine.

CPD Requirements (Continuing Professional Development)

Once licensed, plan on regular CPD training.

What it covers:

• Insurance regulations
• Ethics
• Product knowledge

Where to get CPD training:

• Insurance Institute of Kenya (IIK)
• Insurance companies (they often host free CPD sessions)
• Online webinars

Cost: Free to KES 5,000/session

Ask your insurer what they expect from you. Many run free sessions for their agents.

IRA Office Locations (In Case You Need to Visit)

Main Office: Insurance Regulatory Authority Zep-Re Place, Hospital Road Nairobi

Contact:

• Phone: +254 20 499 8000
• Email: info@ira.go.ke
• Website: www.ira.go.ke

Walk-in hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Most things are online now. But if your application has issues, a physical visit helps.

FAQs

Q: Can I apply without a company appointment? No. You need an appointment letter from an insurer.

Q: How long is the license valid? One year. Renew on or before 30 September each year.

Q: How much is the renewal? KES 1,000, with a KES 1,000 penalty if you're late.

Q: Can foreigners get an IRA license? Yes, if you have a valid work permit.

Q: What if I change companies? Notify IRA within 30 days. No extra fee.

Q: Can I sell both life and general insurance? Yes, if you have qualifications for both and your company appoints you for both.

Q: What if my professional certificate is from outside Kenya? IRA must verify it. Submit for equivalence assessment.

Next Steps

1. Pass the COP exam (or get exempted)
2. Get appointed by an insurance company
3. Gather all 8 required documents
4. Apply online via the IRA portal
5. Pay KES 1,000 application fee
6. Wait 14-21 days for approval
7. Renew every year by 30 September
8. Start selling legally

Don't overthink it.

The process is straightforward. Just follow the checklist.

And once you're licensed?

You're in business.