Jefferson City, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Insurance has filed an emergency rule to comply with provisions of Senate Bill 262, which was passed by the Missouri General Assembly with an emergency clause for the licensing of "navigators" prior to the federally facilitated health insurance exchanges becoming operational on Oct. 1 in Missouri.

Individuals applying for license as a navigator will be required to pass an exam before being issued a license. An entity or producer with an active license to sell health insurance products in Missouri will not be required to take the exam. The cost for applying for a navigator's license is $25 for an individual or $50 for an entity. Each license is valid for two years.

Individuals and entities licensed as navigators can provide fair and impartial information and services to consumers regarding eligibility, enrollment and program specifications about the health insurance marketplace operating in the state.

Those applying for an individual navigator license must:

• Be 18 or older.
• Reside in Missouri or maintain a principal place of business in Missouri.
• Not be disqualified for having committed any act that would be grounds for refusal to issue, renew, suspend or revoke an insurance producer license.
• Successfully pass the examination approved by the director.
• When applicable, have the written consent of the director of the Missouri Department of Insurance under 18 U.S.C. §1033 or any successor statute regulating crimes by or affecting persons engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce.
• Have identified the entity with which he or she is affiliated and supervised.
• Have paid the fees determined by the director.

Information about the licensing of navigators is available on our website at insurance.mo.gov.