Exam at a glance
| Questions | 50 multiple-choice |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Pass mark | 70%. One mark per correct answer; no deduction for wrong or blank answers |
| Mode | Computer-screen exam, in English, closed book |
| How often | Daily on weekdays; weekend daytime sessions, subject to availability. Dates can change, so check SCI's exam schedule before you register |
| Resits | No limit |
| Results | Given immediately after the exam; final, with no appeal or recheck. A result slip is issued, no certificate |
| CPD | 1.25 CPD hours on passing |
Source: SCI, Certification in General Insurance exam details; SCI Examination Rules and Regulations. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
Who needs PGI
SCI lists the Personal General Insurance Certification (BCP + PGI) for anyone who sells or advises on:
- personal motor
- personal accident
- travel
- personal property
- personal liability insurance
- other personal lines including domestic maid, golfer, critical illness and hospital cash cover
SCI states that MAS requires anyone who sells, gives sales advice on, handles claims for or advises on claims for general insurance to pass the certification for the lines they sell or advise on, whichever firm they work for (SCI's list includes insurers, insurance agencies and brokers, finance companies and banks).
SCI points to MAS Notice 211 and Notice 502 for details. The General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIA) and the Singapore Insurance Brokers' Association (SIBA) also require it of front-end staff in sales, advice or claims. Your compliance team confirms the certification for your role.
PGI, BCP and the HI exception
- You need BCP as well. The certification is BCP + PGI, and SCI says BCP should preferably be taken first. It recommends a minimum of 40 to 50 study hours per module.
- Critical illness and hospital income cover. SCI's HI page summarises an exception in MAS Notice 117: you don't need HI – Health Insurance if the health insurance products you advise on or arrange contain only critical illness benefits, hospital income benefits or both, and you have passed BCP and PGI, or CMFAS M9 (Life Insurance and Investment-Linked Policies). In practice, all life insurers require their representatives to pass HI, some as a condition of joining and others within 3 or 6 months of the representative's appointment under MAS's Representative Notification Framework (RNF). Almost all retail banks also require HI of their sales staff.
- CII credit. A pass in BCP together with PGI makes you eligible to apply to the Chartered Insurance Institute, United Kingdom (CII) for recognition of prior learning: an exemption from its unit W01 Award in General Insurance (15 Certificate-level credits). The exemption does not complete the CII qualification of that name. Adding ComGI earns the same single exemption, not a second one. You apply to the CII directly, and SCI states these credits are valid until 31 January 2028.
What the PGI syllabus covers
SCI lists these topics:
- Private Motor Car Insurance (Including Private Motorcycle Insurance)
- Personal Property Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Liability Insurance
- Health Insurance: Critical Illness and Hospital Cash (Income)
- Foreign Domestic Worker Insurance and Golfer's Insurance
PGI fees
| Session | Fee, GST included |
|---|---|
| Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm | S$109.00 |
| Mon–Fri, after 5pm | S$119.90 |
- Per attempt, including GST and SCI's non-refundable S$10.90 registration fee.
- The same fee applies to first attempts and resits.
- Weekend sessions between 9am and 5pm, subject to availability, are charged the after-5pm fee.
- These fees apply to registrations submitted on or after 1 August 2026, whatever the exam date.
Source: SCI, Certification in General Insurance "Exam Fees"; SCI, "Revision of Examination Fees with Effect from 1 August 2026". Retrieved 24 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the passing score for PGI?
70%. There are 50 multiple-choice questions, one mark each, with no deduction for wrong answers.
How many questions are in the PGI exam, and how long is it?
50 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 15 minutes.
How much is the PGI exam?
S$109.00 for a Mon–Fri 9am–5pm session and S$119.90 for a session after 5pm or a weekend daytime session, GST included, for registrations from 1 August 2026. This includes SCI's non-refundable S$10.90 registration fee, and the same fee applies to resits.
Do I need BCP as well as PGI?
Yes. The Personal General Insurance Certification is BCP + PGI, and SCI suggests taking BCP first.
Can I sell critical illness cover with PGI instead of HI?
Under an exception in MAS Notice 117, as SCI summarises it, passes in BCP and PGI (or CMFAS M9) mean you don't need HI for health insurance products whose only benefits are critical illness, hospital income or both. In practice, all life insurers require their representatives to pass HI, some as a condition of joining and others within 3 or 6 months of their RNF appointment, and almost all retail banks require it of their sales staff.
Preparing for PGI?Study notes, exam traps on the mistakes candidates commonly make, and a worked explanation for every practice question. Notes and explanations are also available in Chinese as a paid add-on.
Try the free trial questionsLast updated: 24 September 2026