How to Become Certified for ACA Marketplace Sales with Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Training

Agents who sell within the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplace must complete an annual certification before they can sell each year, the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) certification.

You may be familiar with annual Medicare Fraud, Waste, & Abuse (FWA) training and product certifications.

We’ll discuss how the FFM certification differs and what exactly what you need to know to complete FFM training. Thankfully — it’s easier than you may think (and it’s FREE)!

What’s the Difference Between FFM & Medicare FWA Certification?

Like Medicare FWA certification, FFM certification is a federal requirement. Unlike the Medicare training, there’s no cost for the FFM certification!

FFM training is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through their Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS). This is also slightly different than Medicare FWA training. Which, while federally mandated, private entities including AHIP and NABIP offer the certification.

How to Get FFM Certification

Due to the existing CMS moratorium on new FFM registrations, you cannot currently complete the FFM certification if it would be your first time taking it in 2027 or if you did not complete FFM certification in 2026.

We provide agents with frequent updates to make sure you can stay on top of all the certifications and trainings you need. As of now, the moratorium is in place until February 1, 2027, unless it is extended, lifted, or otherwise modified.

When achieved, the 2027 certification will allow agents to sell for the remainder of 2026.

New for PY 2027: Link Your Login.gov or ID.me Account

Returning agents must log in using either Login.gov or ID.me credentials and link those credentials to your existing CMS Enterprise Portal account. Agents who do not complete the linking process will be unable to obtain the MLMS training role and access the marketplace training platform.

Agents who do not complete the linking process will be unable to obtain the MLMS training role and access the Marketplace training platform.

It’s important that you create or connect your Login.gov or ID.me prior to accessing the marketplace training. Access the technology assistance portal for instructions about Login.gov linking here. Instructions for linking an ID.me account are here.

What’s Covered in the MLMS Training?

There are multiple training modules you’re required to complete before taking three exams.

The three exams you must take and score 70 percent or higher on include:

• Basics Exam
• Individual Marketplace Exam
• Privacy and Security Standards Exam

Returning agents are able to take a condensed version of the training. The shortened training includes:

• One required training module
• One required exam
• Approximately 1-2 hours of training
• A passing score of 70% or higher on the 10-question exam
• Returning agents do not need to complete the full new agent curriculum

Finishing Up

Yay! You’ve finished your training. Now what?

Review the appropriate agreements and sign them. Then, you’ll be redirected back to the CMS Enterprise Portal. This is where you’ll navigate to access your completion certificates.

You can then print out your certificates. They will include information such as your name, NPN(s), the market segment(s), the plan year, and the date you completed your FFM registration. You can also track your registration statuses on the Agent and Broker Marketplace Registration Tracker page.

You’ll want to confirm you’re certified by finding your information on the Agent and Broker FFM Registration Completion List (RCL). Both sites may take up to one or two days for your correct information to be updated and displayed in their databases.

What’s Next?

Once you’re FFM certified, you’re all set to find contracts and start building a product portfolio!

We suggest working with a field marketing organization (FMO), such as Ritter Insurance Marketing! We can help get you started on the right foot with direct access to carrier contracts, seamless online enrollment technology, dedicated agent support, and so much more!

CONTRACT AND EARN!

Want to earn a virtual $5 Amazon gift card for getting a new ACA contract?

Participate in our Best OEP Yet program, and you'll not only prepare for the busy season but also earn incentives!

Agents who qualify can:

• Attend webinars and complete action items to earn $5 Amazon gift cards.
• Stack your earnings by crossing off one item from each step within the designated time frames.

The first 25 agents to complete one qualifying task from each and every step earn a $50 Amazon gift card (on top of previous completion earnings)!

To qualify for rewards, participants must be direct to Ritter with an appointed or pending contract. The Your Best OEP Yet qualifying period is from 8/1/26 to 10/31/26. Only steps completed within this period, with the exception of a portfolio review between 6/1/26 and 7/31/26, are eligible for rewards. Participants will only be rewarded once for each step. Participants can earn a maximum of three (3) step rewards totaling $15 in virtual Amazon gift cards. Participants among the first 25 to complete all three tasks within the qualifying period will earn one (1) additional $50 virtual Amazon gift card. All qualifying events can be found at RitterIM.com/your-best-OEP-yet.

No payment or purchase necessary. Ritter is solely responsible for the distribution of any prizes. Distributions will be made as soon as processing is complete following a qualifying event. Final distributions will be made by 12/31/26. Restrictions may apply. Rewards will be delivered while supplies last. Ritter will make final determinations of all qualifying actions.

Still have questions? We’ve answered some frequently asked questions about ACA certification and training, or you can contact the Ritter Sales team for assistance.