Health Insurance Broker Certification in California
Licensing requirements for health insurance agents vary by state. In order to transact health insurance in the state of California, a person must first obtain a specific type of license from the California Department of Insurance.
What Certifies a Health Insurance Agent?
To receive a California license to become a health insurance agent or broker a person must complete a state approved insurance course, pass a licensing exam, be fingerprinted for a background check, and have their application approved by the California Department of Insurance. Additionally, they must be appointed by the health insurance companies for whom they sell for. To maintain their license, they must take a required number of hours of specific continuing education courses every two years. Health insurance agents must comply with all California Insurance codes and laws or their license may be revoked.
What Certifies a Covered California Agent?
A licensed agent who wishes to sell Covered CA plans on the state health insurance marketplace must also receive certification as a Covered CA agent. To obtain Covered CA certification, an agent must complete online courses, pass an exam, and submit an agent agreement and other paperwork.
How to verify an Agent’s License
You can check the status of a license for a California health insurance agent or broker at the California Department of Insurance.
To see if an agent is certified by Covered CA, use the Covered California Find a Certified Insurance Agent Tool.
About the California Department of Insurance (CDI)
The CDI is the largest consumer protection agency in the state. Consumer protection is the core of its mission. It oversees over 1,300 insurance companies and over 390,000 agents, brokers, adjusters and business entities. The Insurance Commissioner, an independent statewide officer elected by popular vote, oversees and directs all of its functions.
The CDI means to protect consumers by:
- Overseeing insurer solvency
- Licensing agents and brokers
- Doing market conduct reviews
- Resolving consumer complaints
- Investigating and prosecuting insurance fraud
- Enforcing insurance laws in California
- Overseeing how insurers and licensees do business
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Insurance_Commissioner
- http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0500-about-us/01-commissioner/index.cfm
Not sure how Obamacare affects your health care plans in California? Learn how the ACA works in California, including benefits, costs and enrollment.
Covered California is the Golden State’s official health exchange marketplace where individuals, families and small businesses can find high-quality, low-cost California government health insurance.
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Learn about the Covered California website. Find easy online enrollment. Set up your account, log in, buy insurance and more on the California health marketplace website.