How do I become an independent health insurance agent?

You first need a resident producer license with an accident and health or sickness line of authority, which means completing any required prelicensing education, passing the state exam, and filing an application with fingerprints through the state or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Independent agents represent multiple insurers, so you then build carrier appointments or join an independent agency. To sell Marketplace plans, you must also complete annual registration and training through the federal Marketplace Learning Management System.

In Delaware, you become an independent health insurance agent by passing the Pearson VUE Accident and Health Producer exam, then applying online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) with a state and FBI criminal history report. To sell as an agent of an insurer, each insurer must appoint you, filing notice within 15 days of the agency contract; the appointment fee is $50 per insurer and appointments are permanent unless cancelled. A producer negotiating only with non-appointed insurers needs no appointment.

To act as an independent health insurance agent in New Hampshire, pass the PSI Accident and Health exam (12-62, $59) or the combined Life, Accident and Health exam (12-63, $72), then apply online through NIPR with a $210 producer license fee. New Hampshire has a single producer licensing system, so producers may act as agents, brokers, or consultants. Once you place business, carriers must register your appointments within 15 days.

To sell accident and health insurance in North Dakota, pass the Accident and Health exam through PSI, the state's exam vendor. The exam costs $64, allows 150 minutes, and requires a 70% score to pass. You must then complete fingerprinting, apply for a producer license through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) for a $100 fee, and be appointed by an insurer before acting as its agent. Independent agents contract with several insurers rather than one.

To work as an independent health insurance agent in Vermont, get a Producer license with the Accident and Health or Sickness line of authority: be at least 18, pass the Prometric exam ($52 for A&H, or $67.60 for the combined Life and A&H exam), then apply through NIPR after waiting 48 hours after passing. Vermont is an appointment state, so each insurer you represent must appoint you within 15 days of the agency contract or first application, whichever is sooner. To sell Marketplace plans, CMS also requires annual registration and training plus an approved health-related line of authority.