2026 ACA Exchange & FFM Certification Info

It’s time to start preparing for the 2026 Open Enrollment Period! We’ll discuss all the certification changes and important updates that you need to be aware of for the upcoming plan year.

Read on to learn what to expect from the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) certification and state exchange trainings.

Marketplace Training Deadlines To Be Aware Of

The 2026 FFM certification will be available through the CMS Enterprise Portal Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS) later this summer, likely in August. A mobile version of the FFM training is available to take on the go. For agents utilizing HealthSherpa, this training is also available on the CMS Enterprise portal.

Agents need to recertify to be ready-to-sell for 2026. A mobile version of the training is available.

FFM certification is only required for agents selling in the federal exchange. If you only sell products in a state-based exchange, you’ll need to complete the appropriate state-specific training. Some state exchanges open agent trainings as early as mid-July. Check out the table below to see which exchanges are live now!

All agents must update their MLMS profile on the CMS Enterprise Portal in addition to completing the 2026 training course to be considered ready-to-sell.

Below, we’ve listed important dates for the ACA exchanges in which Ritter is active. Learn more about each exchange by registering with Ritter and visiting our Certification Center.

Exchange	Important Info
Federal	2025 FFM training closes July 11, 2025 Agents must download 2025 certificates prior to July 11 2026 FFM training typically opens in August Agent recertification closes TBD Training can be completed through the CMS Portal, HealthSherpa, or INXSCloud CEUs are available through HealthSherpa and INXSCloud in some states
CO	2026 training opens TBD Training deadline is TBD Enrollment and more information is available for brokers at Connect for Health Colorado
GA	2026 training opens TBD Training closes TBD Enrollment and more information is available for brokers at Georgia Access
KY	2026 training opens TBD 2026 Refresher Training closes TBD In order to access Agent Portal through Self-Service Portal (SSP), you must complete Kentucky Online Gateway (KOG) onboarding the required Agent State-Based Marketplace Registration Web-Based Training (WBT) Certification information and updates can be found at kynect
MD	2025 training closed June 1, 2025 2026 training opens August 6, 2025 Agents must apply and complete initial training to receive authorization to sell. Broker authorization expires after two years. Maryland Health Benefit Exchange will send a renewal notice no later than 60 days prior to expiration date. Certification information and updates can be found at Maryland Health Connection
NJ	2025 training closes TBD 2026 training opens TBD Training deadline is TBD Broker Intent to Sell must be completed prior to completing certification training Certification information and updates can be found at Get Covered NJ
NY	Agents must certify every two years from their initial certification date There is no annual certification course Enrollment and more information can be accessed at NY State of Health
PA	Pennie Certification Training will be unavailable throughout July and early August to prepare for the 2026 training which will be available in August Certification information and updates can be accessed at Pennie
VA	2026 agent registration and training opens TBD Training deadline is TBD Certification information and updates can be accessed at Virginia Health Benefit Exchange

As an approved vendor for the FFM certification, HealthSherpa provides Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to participating agents and these qualify toward “Health Line of Authority” requirements. They were approved to offer CEUs in 45 states for plan year 2025: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, and WV.

Remember: Returning agents are able to take a condensed training. Agents who are new to the ACA market and did not certify or missed a recertification deadline, must complete the full individual marketplace training.

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We’ll continue to update this post and our Certification Center when we receive more details. Check back for updates!

Are you ready to take on the federal or state exchanges? Check out our free eBook on selling ACA insurance plans! Start preparing for the OEP now, read our Pre-OEP Prep guide here!