What’s Required: Licensing and Continuing Education (CE)
To sell health insurance in California or Nevada, you need to earn a license. To maintain your license, each state requires you to earn Continuing Education (CE) Credits. In California, you need to complete 24 hours of CE every two years. In Nevada, you must complete 30 total CE Credits every three years.
Are Certifications Required for Health Insurance Brokers?
“What about Certifications,” you may be wondering. Certifications are not typically legally required to maintain an insurance license, but there are several you might consider. It all depends on your market niche and focus.
For example, brokers often choose one or more of the following certifications:
State Exchange Certifications: Covered California, SHOP, and Nevada Health Link
Covered California Certification
To become a certified agent for Covered California or Covered California for Small Business, you must hold an active California Accident and Health agent license and complete the state’s official certification process.
Nevada Health Link Certification
To gain certification to sell Individual & Family Plans through the Nevada state-based exchange, you typically must complete Nevada Health Link Broker Onboarding. However, for Plan Year 2027, the Intent to Sell (ITS) period is now closed. Returning brokers certified for Plan Year 2026 are not required to submit an ITS form for 2027. Visit the state website for information about earning a producer license with the Nevada Division of Insurance.
Professional Designations Worth Considering
AHIP Certifications
AHIP (formerly known as America’s Health Insurance Plans) offers 14 professional designations to help you advance your career. Among them are Health Care Anti-Fraud Associate (HCAFA), Health Insurance Associate (HIA), Long-Term Care Professional (LTCP), and Managed Healthcare Professional (MHP).
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
Sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) in partnership with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the CEBS is a premier professional designation for those working in employer-sponsored health, welfare, and retirement plans. Two sub-designations are Group Benefits Associate (GBA) and Retirement Plan Associate (RPA).
Registered Employee Benefits Consultant
Credentialed by the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP), the REBC designation is for those who specialize in employee benefits, group insurance, and retirement planning. For information on the REBC designation, visit the NABIP website
Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
Offered through the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance, the focus of the CIC is insurance counseling, commercial lines, personal lines, life, and agency management.
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
The American College of Financial Services designation is focused on life insurance, estate planning, taxation, and wealth transfer. Also available from The American College are several other designations.
Information on other insurance industry-related designations is available from LIMRA (the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association), LOMA (Life Office Management Association), and The Institutes Knowledge Group. Indeed has also published an article regarding 7 types of insurance certifications to increase expertise.
SHRM Certification
SHRM (formerly the Society for Human Resource Management) offers its own certification. You can learn more on the SHRM website.
Do Insurance Certifications Require Ongoing CE?
Most of the designation and certification programs mentioned require CE Credits to maintain a credential. It’s not a one and done. Being certified can help you demonstrate your ongoing commitment to the insurance industry while building trust and credibility with your clients.
We encourage you to pursue certifications that make sense for your market focus and your role in serving your clients.
Health Insurance Broker Certification FAQs
Do I need a certification to sell health insurance in California?
You need an active California Accident and Health agent license and must keep it current with CE. Certifications aren’t generally required to maintain your license. However, to sell through Covered California or Covered California for Small Business, you must complete the state’s certification process, and take annual Covered California training to keep it.
How many CE hours do health insurance brokers need in California?
California requires 24 hours of CE every two-year license term, including 3 hours of ethics.
How many CE credits do brokers need in Nevada?
Nevada requires 30 CE credits every three-year license term, including 3 hours of ethics.
What is the SHOP exchange in California?
California’s Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is Covered California for Small Business (CCSB). Brokers who want to sell CCSB plans must be certified by Covered California.
