Get certified and ready to enroll.
If you're planning to sell ACA plans this year, you'll need two things in place: your Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) certification and, if you're working with Georgia clients, your Georgia Access certification. Different systems, different logins, same goal — getting you trained to help people find coverage that actually fits.
First, what's the difference?
FFM certification comes from CMS. It's required if you want to sell Marketplace plans in any state that uses HealthCare.gov, and it is required every year.
Georgia Access certification is separate. Georgia runs its own state-based exchange, so if you're enrolling clients in Georgia, you also need to be certified directly through Georgia Access.
Add your certification on Lucie
Once you complete your certification, Lucie will need your FFM User ID to validate that it's up to date. Type in the same username you normally use on cms.gov (http://cms.gov). If you already entered your FFM User ID when you set up your Lucie account, you're good to go.
If you didn’t, head to the drop-down menu under your name in the top right-hand corner and select Manage your Lucie profile. From the profile page, scroll about halfway down to the Healthcare.gov management box and click Enter FFM User ID in the right corner of the box. Enter your FFM User ID and click Save. Once that’s done, Lucie can run the check automatically.
For Georgia Access, Lucie can run the check automatically using your NPN — no extra steps needed.
Need to get certified?
Getting FFM certified
- Log into your CMS Enterprise Portal account. New agents will need to set up a profile. Returning agents just log back in.
- Request the Agent Broker (FFM) role. From your portal, head to "My Access," select "Request Access Now," and choose the FFM Agent Broker role. Have your National Producer Number (NPN) ready — you'll need it here and again later.
- Complete identity verification. This happens through Experian, follow the prompts to complete the ID verification.
- Head to Marketplace Training in MLMS. Navigate to Marketplace Training, Agent Broker, then select MLMS Training to enroll in your course.
- Complete the training and pass the exam. New agents complete the full training; returning agents typically get a shorter refresher covering what's changed for the new plan year.
- Sign your Marketplace agreements. You'll be routed back to the CMS Enterprise Portal to review and sign.
- Download your certificate. Once everything's processed, you can print your Registration Completion Certificate. Give it a day or two to show up on the Registration Completion List.
This whole process is free, but you have to repeat the training every year to stay active.
Getting Georgia Access certified
If Georgia is on your map, this is the second half of the equation.
- Confirm you hold an active Georgia health insurance license and NPN. This is important, Georgia Access won't certify you without it.
- Create your Georgia Access LMS account. Head to the Georgia Access Learning Management System to register. If you're joining an existing agency, don't create a new agency profile, ask your agency manager to add you under the agency's existing account instead.
- Complete the certification training. New agents work through the full training modules. If you're already certified from a prior year, you'll just need a refresher module.
- Pass the final assessment. You'll need a score of 80% or higher to pass.
- Set up your Agent Portal profile. Once you're certified, build out your profile in the Georgia Access Agent Portal. Approval can take up to five business days, so don't wait until the last minute.
A few things worth remembering
Once your certifications are active, you're cleared to help clients shop, compare, and enroll. And that’s where Lucie really shines.
Need a hand? If you ever need help clearing a hurdle, hit us up at [email protected].