The short answer
To sell Medicare, ACA, and life insurance products, you generally need a state health insurance license and often a life insurance license, plus product-specific certifications. In most states, a single license exam covers accident and health, which allows you to sell Medicare and ACA plans, while a separate life license covers life insurance and annuities. Beyond the state license, selling Medicare Advantage and Part D also requires an annual product certification. So the foundation is a state license in the relevant lines, supplemented by carrier and product certifications.
So you generally need a state health license for Medicare and ACA, a life license for life and annuities, plus product certifications.
The licenses and certifications
A resident insurance license in your home state, in the accident and health line, lets you sell Medicare and ACA health products, while the life line covers life insurance and annuities. Many agents get both. To sell Medicare Advantage and Part D specifically, you must also complete an annual certification such as the industry standard training and pass carrier certifications each year. Our guide to getting licensed in Wyoming and Utah covers the state process, and our join our team page covers getting started with support.
The core is a state license in health and life lines, plus annual Medicare certifications and carrier appointments.
How to get started
Decide which products you want to sell, complete any required pre-licensing education, pass the state exam for the relevant lines, and then pursue carrier contracts and product certifications. A good upline or agency can guide you through licensing, contracting, and certification so you are ready to sell. Because requirements vary by state and product, confirm your state's rules. Our join our team page explains how we support new agents through the process.
The takeaway: get a state license in the health and life lines for the products you want to sell, then complete Medicare certifications and carrier contracts, ideally with agency support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What licenses do I need to sell Medicare and ACA plans?
Generally a state accident and health insurance license, plus an annual Medicare product certification to sell Medicare Advantage and Part D. A separate life license covers life insurance and annuities.
Do I need a separate license for life insurance?
Usually yes. The life insurance line is separate from health, so selling life insurance and annuities typically requires a life license in addition to a health license. Many agents obtain both.
What certifications does selling Medicare Advantage require?
Beyond a state health license, selling Medicare Advantage and Part D requires completing an annual certification and passing each carrier's certification every year.
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