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<chapter num="04" heading="Insurance Producer Authorization to Sell Qualified Plans in the SHOP Exchange and Individual Exchange" title_num="14" subtitle_num="35">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope.">
    <text>This chapter sets forth the qualifications, training, and authorization standards for an individual who applies to receive a Small Business Health Options (SHOP) insurance producer authorization or an Individual Exchange  insurance producer authorization and is required under Insurance Article, §§31-112(g)(2) and 31-113(n)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland, to hold such an authorization to sell qualified plans within the SHOP Exchange or Individual Exchange.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Eligibility Requirements.">
    <text>To be eligible to apply for initial insurance producer authorization, an applicant shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Be licensed by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner as an insurance producer authorized to sell health insurance; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Successfully complete and comply with any ongoing requirements of the training programs set forth under Regulation .04 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Application Procedures.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In order to obtain a SHOP Exchange insurance producer authorization or Individual Exchange insurance producer authorization, the applicant shall submit to the Exchange:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>An application on the form provided by the Exchange;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>An attestation that the applicant will notify the Exchange of any changes to information the applicant provides or to which the applicant attests on the application form within 30 days of such change;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>An application fee if permitted by law and in the manner specified by the Exchange;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Evidence that the applicant is licensed by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner as an insurance producer authorized to sell health insurance;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Evidence of the written consent required under COMAR 31.03.12, if applicable; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Evidence that the applicant has successfully completed the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>SHOP Exchange insurance producer authorization training if the applicant is applying for a SHOP Exchange  insurance producer authorization; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Individual Exchange Producer Authorization training if the applicant is applying for an Individual Exchange insurance producer authorization.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The Exchange may not consider an application to be complete until it has received all required materials.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>If the application is not completed with all required materials within 45 days after the Exchange receives the signed application form, the Exchange may consider the application withdrawn.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Training.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>An applicant for the SHOP Exchange insurance producer authorization shall complete the Exchange-approved SHOP insurance producer authorization training.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>An applicant for the Individual Exchange insurance producer authorization shall complete the Commissioner-approved Individual Exchange insurance producer authorization training.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>The Exchange shall review, and as appropriate update, the content of the SHOP insurance producer authorization training program on a schedule established by the Exchange.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The Exchange, with the approval of the Commissioner, shall review, and as appropriate update, the content of the Individual Exchange insurance producer authorization training program at least every 2 years.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>An applicant for Individual Exchange or SHOP insurance producer authorization shall meet the examination requirements specified under COMAR 14.35.02.04D.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Insurance Article, §§31-106, 31-112(f), (g), and (h), and 31-113(m), (n), and (o), Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: April 15, 2013 (40:7 Md. R. 612)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective August 18, 2025 (52:16 Md. R. 848)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04C amended effective June 15, 2020 (47:12 Md. R. 597)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04E adopted effective August 18, 2025 (52:16 Md. R. 848)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>