How to become a licensed health insurance agent

1. 01Every plan year

   Certify for Medicare

   Agents who sell Medicare Advantage and Part D plans complete Medicare training every plan year. The AHIP Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse course is updated every year, and carriers add their own certifications. Our Medicare roles require the current plan year's AHIP course.

2. 02Every plan year

   Register with CMS for ACA plans

   To help people enroll in plans on HealthCare.gov, complete Marketplace registration and training each plan year in the Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS). CMS gives Marketplace access only to agents whose resident state grants a health-related line of authority.

3. 03

   Register with state exchanges

   States that run their own exchange, such as Covered California and Connect for Health Colorado, have their own agent registration. Your state page says whether your state is one of them.

4. 04

   Add non-resident licenses

   To sell in another state, add a non-resident license there. NIPR handles non-resident applications too. We cover the cost of non-resident licenses as you expand to more states.

5. 05

   Keep your license active

   Each state sets continuing education you finish to renew your license. Your state page lists the rule.

Official sources: CMS, Registration and Training for Marketplace Agents and Brokers; NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry), licensing center; AHIP Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training. Each state page cites that state's regulator.