The Intermediate Insurance Qualification
AFA certification
The AFA certification is the qualification that attests to the knowledge of insurance intermediaries in Switzerland. Since 2026, it has been compulsory for anyone wishing to advise on or sell insurance products, within the framework set out by law (LSA) and overseen by FINMA. The examinations are organised by the VBV, the industry’s official body.
A modular certification scheme
The certification is not a single, comprehensive programme: it is made up of modules, each covering a product family. You take the ones that relate to your line of work, and you can add more as your career progresses. Only one is compulsory, the first one, as it is this module that unlocks access to the others.
- General skills and knowledge The foundations: the legal framework and the basics of the profession. These must be acquired before anything else. View the module →
- Health insurance and supplementary cover Basic and supplementary health insurance. View the module →
- Non-life Property and assets insurance: home contents, motor, third-party liability, SMEs. View the module →
- Life Pension provision: life insurance, 3rd pillar, LPP. View the module →
- Vehicle insurance Automotive sector: liability, casco. For garage sales staff. View the module →
How does the exam work?
Each module has its own format: a questionnaire for ‘Competencies’, a practical consultancy case study for ‘Health and Supplementary Insurance’, a comprehensive written exam for ‘Non-life Insurance’, and an oral exam for ‘Life Insurance’. Full details, broken down by duration, are set out in our guide.
Each module has its own duration, format and fee. This is what we have observed with the candidates we support.
| Module | Duration | Format | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| General skills and knowledge | 30 minutes | About twenty questions on two topics, the insurance industry and legal knowledge, in a supervised video conference. | 400 CHF |
| Health insurance and supplementary cover | 30 minutes | A practical case, in the form of a dialogue with a client. | 100 CHF |
| Non-life | 60 minutes | A broad paper covering several topics: SMEs, vehicles, household and assets. | 100 CHF |
| Life | A written paper, then 30 minutes oral | A case analysis presented orally before two examiners. | 200 CHF |
The terms are set by the VBV and may change: always confirm the conditions in force with them, as they alone are authoritative.
The pass mark
You need 60 % to obtain a module. In practice, we recommend aiming for 80 %. That margin is not greed: it absorbs exam-day nerves, the question read too fast and the topic that comes up at the worst moment. A candidate scoring 62 % at home is tossing a coin on exam day.
When results arrive
Allow about a week. That is what we have observed for the General skills and Health insurance modules; the delay can vary from one session to another.
If you fail a module
Failing does not end your path: the module can be retaken. For General skills, Health insurance and Non-life, no waiting period is imposed and sessions are offered continuously. The Life module is the exception: you have to wait for the next session.
On fees, we have observed that the General skills module has to be paid again and that the Non-life module does not. For Health insurance and Life we have no reliable observation, and we would rather say so than leave you with wrong information: check with the VBV.
Which module to start with
The General skills module is compulsory: until you have passed it, the others are not open to you. After that, the order depends on what you sell day to day, and it pays to keep going while your revision habits are still fresh.
How much does it cost?
Examination fees are paid to the VBV and vary depending on the module. A candidate who sits all four modules and passes them at the first attempt pays a total of 800 CHF in examination fees. Preparation, however, is a separate investment.
A certification due for renewal
AFA certification is not valid for life. As long as you remain practising, it must be renewed periodically through recertification, in the form of a short online exam, to confirm that your knowledge remains up to date.
The exact details (frequency, fees, dates) are set by the organisation and are subject to change: always check the current terms and conditions with the VBV, which alone is the authoritative source.
Frequently asked questions
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How much does AFA certification cost?
Exam fees depend on the module: CHF 400 for General skills, CHF 100 for Health insurance and supplementary cover, CHF 100 for Non-life and CHF 200 for Life. A candidate who takes all four modules and passes first time therefore pays CHF 800 in exam fees to the VBV. Preparation is a separate investment.
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What is the pass mark?
The official pass mark is 60 %. We recommend aiming for 80 % in practice, to keep a margin on exam day.
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Can you retake a module you failed?
Yes. For the General skills, Health insurance and Non-life modules no waiting period is imposed and sessions are offered continuously. The Life module requires waiting for the next session.
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Which module must you start with?
With the General skills and knowledge module: it is compulsory and opens access to the other three.