We Are Committed
At Access Health CT, we want every person to not only be able to get quality, affordable health coverage, but to also understand their options and make the best decision for themselves and their families. Insurance brokers play a vital role in reaching this goal. With a diverse broker community, we can bridge the gap between historically underinsured communities and the coverage they need to stay healthy.
APPLICATION INFO
Would you like more info on this opportunity?
Access Health CT’s Broker Academy Program provides opportunities for people who live and work in underserved communities to gain the skills they need to help their neighbors enroll in health and dental coverage – and feel comfortable with their decision.
The Broker Academy Program provides free training for selected applicants to become licensed brokers. Once certified by Access Health CT, they are ready to serve their communities. As a Certified Broker, you will join a network of trusted health coverage advisors in Connecticut’s traditionally hardest-to-reach communities.
As you can see from the illustrations below, a few miles can make a big difference. In Connecticut, there is a gap in the health outcomes and quality of health care available to people in lower-income areas, especially if they identify as a person of color. As a Broker Academy Program graduate, you can help to change that. You’ll become a trusted resource to help people understand their options and make decisions that can improve their health and wellbeing.
What does a Certified Broker do?
As a Certified Broker, you’ll help your neighbors and clients make health coverage decisions. In your role, you will:
- Help consumers select and enroll in health and dental coverage.
- Prepare documents and execute sales.
- Maintain customer relationships.
- Follow up with your clients when policy or legal changes might affect their coverage.
Customer service is a crucial part of a broker’s job. You’ll be responsible for ensuring and maintaining customer satisfaction. You’ll also make a living for yourself and build a career you can be proud of.
The primary way an insurance broker earns income is by selling insurance policies to consumers and earning commissions from insurance carriers. A commission is set by each carrier individually and is approved by the Connecticut Insurance Department.
Thank You to Our Funders!
The Broker Academy Program is made possible, in part, by generous community grants. We are grateful for past support from Connecticut Health Foundation, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Farmington Bank Community Foundation, the Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin, and the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.
State approved Life & Health Insurance Pre-licensing training provided by:
Completing the Kaplan licensing education course and passing your state licensing exam creates a solid foundation for your insurance sales career.
Connecticut Insurance Licensing State Requirements can be found here: Connecticut Insurance License State Requirements | Kaplan Financial Education. The Broker Academy Program was designed to not only cover the cost of training and licensing, but also to walk each student through the licensing and certification process – step by step.
To apply for the program, candidates must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Submit 1-3 recommendation letters
- Have community service experience
Preference will be given to applicants who reside or work in underserved areas.
Applications are open!
Broker Academy Program Overview
Interested in joining the 2026 Broker Academy Program?
Leave your name and email information above. We will update you when applications open.
Program Readiness Meetings
Once accepted into the Program, students will enter the Program readiness phase. During this time, students must complete all required Kaplan modules at their own pace to prepare for the state exam. Weekly Zoom meetings will be held to:
- Review Program requirements.
- Host guest speakers and experienced brokers.
- Provide test-taking strategies and progress check-ins.
Review Class
Students will be required to complete an in-person Kaplan review course designed to prepare them for the state licensing exam.
Mentorship
After obtaining their licenses, students will be matched with experienced broker mentors. The mentorship phase runs from June (after passing state exam) to October 22, 2026, offering hands-on experience and professional guidance to prepare students to begin serving their communities.
Please note, only students who have successfully passed the state licensing exam will be eligible to participate in the mentorship phase.
Our Values in Action
At Access Health CT, with our customers and our employees in mind, we seek to promote the collective values listed below and to live by these behaviors. Our culture of acceptance welcomes and values everyone. We challenge the status quo to find new ways to grow and improve our community, our organization, and ourselves. Our people take pride in the service we provide, and in the spirit of the common good that we share.
Access Health CT Virtual Webinars
Access Health CT is offering free, virtual webinars.*
* Note, these are optional events; you are welcome to start your application today!
For questions, email us at: AHCT.BrokerAcademy@ct.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a flyer?
Do you have a timeline for accepted students?
What are some of the responsibilities and duties for a broker?
A broker performs many different tasks.
Assesses Customer Needs
A broker must be familiar with the health care industry, knowledgeable about the health and dental coverage available in the market, able to answer customers’ questions about existing or potential new health and dental coverage options, and able to advise customers and guide them toward the health and dental coverage that fits their needs. It is critical that a broker be able to discuss offerings articulately and accurately. Brokers are required to continually update their knowledge through training and educational programs and be up to date with new offerings.
Provides Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is integral to the broker role. Brokers are often responsible for creating and maintaining potential customer and client relationships. This includes maintaining a client book of record, which is comprehensive document of customer information. Brokers must work to maintain these relationships by continually assessing customer needs, identifying concerns, recommending solutions and following up regularly. A broker will also collaborate with internal and external teams to provide input and recommendations for the improvement of the customer experience.
Executes Sales
A broker’s goal is to successfully enroll individuals in health and dental coverage that fits their needs. Brokers must address concerns and help educate on the best coverage options available for needs and desires.
Processes Transactions
After a broker identifies the best health or dental coverage for a customer and obtains the agreement from the customer to start and complete the enrollment process, the broker is then responsible for preparing and completing all the necessary documentation, including the enrollment application. The paperwork often requires some knowledge of local and federal laws and regulations regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), income levels including Federal Poverty Levels (FPLs), sales and taxation. Once the enrollment application is complete, the broker is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information provided and submitting the application for processing. The broker must ensure that the customer is accurately charged, payments are applied correctly and all necessary receipts and invoices are provided and filed.
What are some important skills and attributes needed to be a successful broker?
Brokers are relationship builders who ensure customer satisfaction. They exhibit excellent interpersonal skills and are enthusiastic, persuasive and likeable communicators. They are also highly detail-oriented and organized professionals who ensure that all aspects of the brokerage process run smoothly. They are intelligent people who learn quickly and are highly articulate.
If you want to work as a broker, focus on:
- Having a people-oriented personality.
- Working well with others, actively listening and being responsible and honest.
- Having excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Building relationships with customers.
- Demonstrating proficiency in common computer programs, such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Having sales and customer service experience.
- Having the ability to work closely with a mentor for a 3-month mentorship.
- Being open and honest.
- Being a true team player and striving to have a positive influence on others.
- Being of service and making a positive impact in your community.
How does a broker earn money?
The primary way an insurance broker earns income is by selling insurance policies to consumers and earning commissions from insurance carriers. A commission is set by each insurance carrier individually and is approved by the Connecticut Insurance Department.
Is the training in-person or virtual?
The review class is held in person at 2 locations. Attendance is mandatory, and students must complete all scheduled class days.
Will the students get print or digital training materials?
Students will receive printed books during the in-person review class. They will also have access to supplemental digital training materials through an online portal, which includes resources and study tools for a set duration.
What is a duration of the entire program?
The Program lasts approximately 6 months:
- Program Readiness: A self-study phase with weekly virtual meetings to support students as they complete their online training.
- In-Person Review Class: A required in-person session designed to prepare students for the state exam.
- Mentorship: A multi-month hands-on experience with flexible hours to accommodate different schedules.
How many times can the state licensing exam be taken?
If the students fail the state exam, the exam can be scheduled again and retaken. There is no cap on how many times the students can take the state exam, but there is a fee for each time the exam is taken. Candidates must wait 24 hours before making an appointment to retake the exam. AHCT will cover the cost of up to two attempts at passing the state exam.
Can students re-take the state exam on the same day?
The exam cannot be retaken on the same day. The exam needs to be rescheduled, and a fee for the exam must be submitted.
How many questions are on the pre-licensing certificate test?
There are 100 multiple choice questions.
How long is the state license exam?
The state exam time is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
What are the types of questions on the state licensing exam?
There are 90 multiple choice questions.
How many questions are on the state license exam?
There are 90 questions on the exam.
Can the students be placed with one or more mentors?
Students will not be assigned to more than one mentor. However, depending on the circumstances, students can request placement with a different mentor.
Will the students have a choice of their mentorship placements?
The mentorship placement options will be discussed with the students. Geographic location will be considered when placing students in their mentorship.
What is the minimum timeframe of the mentorship?
The minimum timeframe of the mentorship is 3 hours per week for 90 days.
Do I have to be a licensed broker to sell insurance?
Yes. To sell health insurance in CT, you must be licensed. After completing the training class, Access Health CT will guide students through the process of obtaining their license and provide additional training for brokers to be certified by Access Health CT.
