CA CE COURSES
Our full California course list appears below. You can filter the list by class type or target audience. Click on a course to view more information.
Class Type
Target Audience
Word & Brown is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.
ACA
ACA 4-1-1
This course educates brokers on the macro principles and requirements within the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). Participants will gain a better understanding of all aspects of the ACA and its impact on clients and the overall market. Brokers will become more informed on ACA compliance principles and health care mandates, with a special emphasis on 2023 relevance. After successful completion of this course, brokers will be better able to discuss insurance exchanges, Medicaid options, and shared health care system responsibilities.
ACA
Broker & Employers
CE #388899
ACA Compliance in the Employer Market
This course explores topics of utmost relevance to brokers and employers as it relates to Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance. Participants will be able to discuss employer shared responsibility (employer mandate) principles, determine employer compliance responsibilities according to group size, calculate “Full Time” and “Full Time Equivalent” numbers, and learn about MEC and Minimum Value requirements, and varying plans available in the market. Brokers will also learn the basics of ACA IRS reporting — including a review of reporting intentions and purpose. Ultimately, participants will be refreshed on the ACA and its mandates in the group health insurance space, so they can better advise clients and their employees.
ACA
Broker & Employers
CE #387041
SHRM Certified
ACA IRS Reporting
This course dives into complex ACA reporting to the IRS for Applicable Large Employers (ALEs). We discuss group size and FTE counts, look at Forms 1094 and 1095, show you how to use differing IRS codes to report on coverage offers (required for anyone employed FT for at least one full month of the reporting year), and talk about who reports what — and why — and more. CE Credits: 1.
ACA
Broker & Employers
CE #389604
SHRM Certified
ACA Non-Compliance: IRS Letter Panic Prevention
Employers are receiving notices from the IRS seeking massive penalties for potential noncompliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer mandate. They are also receiving IRS notices requesting ACA reporting Forms 1094-C and 1095-C from previous years, if they did not submit them (which the IRS believes they should have). Employers are also receiving notices from the Exchange signaling a potential future ACA non-compliance penalty, which is triggered by an eligible FT employee getting a Premium Tax Credit to pay for Exchange coverage. This class educates brokers on what these letters are, how to walk clients through them, and how employers should respond. Many will find no need to panic, as these letters can often be responded to and closed without any penalty assessment. CE Credits: 1.
ACA
Broker & Employers
CE #364811
SHRM Certified
Product & Health Market Strategy
Account Based Plans — POP, FSA, HRA, HSA
This course focuses on the most-common compliance topics and pitfalls surrounding Account Based Plans. It looks at the “ins and outs” of Premium Only Plans (POPs), Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). We also discuss plan requirements, design options, advantages, eligibility, participation, HRA/HSA/FSA “stacking,” plan limitations, and more. CE Credits: 1.
Product & Health Market Strategy
Broker & Employers
CE #331252
SHRM Certified
Celebrating 50 Years of ERISA
This course provides insurance agents with a comprehensive understanding of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and its impact on employer-sponsored group benefit plans. Focusing on the law’s core principles, evolving regulations, and recent changes under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021, the course educates participants with knowledge to effectively discuss ERISA with employers, help them navigate compliance requirements, and reduce audit and penalty risks.
Product & Health Market Strategy
Brokers Only
CE #390373
SHRM Certified
FSA 101 — Compliance, Administration, Education
Gain insight on the compliance, administrative, and educational complexities of Health Flexible Spending Accounts (Health FSAs), Limited Purpose FSAs, and Dependent Care FSAs. The course highlights benefits, allowances, restrictions, and document compliance requirements. It compares and contrasts accounts, including a discussion of Premium Only Plans (POPs) embedded in FSAs. Participants gain an understanding of how accounts are established, funded, and managed — and the benefits of sponsoring and participating in such plans. CE Credits: 1.
Product & Health Market Strategy
Broker & Employers
CE #377351
SHRM Certified
HSA 101 — Compliance, Trends, and Consumer Education
This class offers an in-depth look at Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and provides guidance on how to succeed in the administration, education, and promotion of HSAs as well as employee education of HSA-compatible health plans and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). It will help you understand modern HSA trends, learn the importance of educating stakeholders and employees on HSAs, and provide guidance on how to serve employers’ needs more effectively by promoting HSAs in a compliant manner. CE Credits: 1.
Product & Health Market Strategy
Broker & Employers
CE #375311
SHRM Certified
General Compliance
Avoiding Compliance Pitfalls
Learn the most-common compliance pitfalls that impact employers in our market. This course covers ERISA plan documents, COBRA administration, Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and Section 125 Premium Only Plans (POPs). It includes an overview of common mistakes for each account type, fines and penalties for non-compliant plans, exemptions, limitations, and exclusions, and tips on troubleshooting errors. CE Credits: 1.
General Compliance
Broker & Employers
CE #334133
SHRM Certified
COBRA 101
This course details the specifications of COBRA, the federal law that allows eligible employees and dependents to temporarily continue their employer-based health insurance plan(s). It covers enforcing agencies, penalties, what employers are subject to the law, qualifying events, election rights, paying for coverage, what an employer must do to stay in compliance and avoid costly fees, legislative updates, and more. The class also covers Cal-COBRA basics for employers with health plans in California. CE Credits: 1.
General Compliance
Broker & Employers
CE #331251
SHRM Certified
Compliance Blast - ERISA and Account Based Plans
This course provides an overview of three major employer-sponsored account based plans: Premium Only Plans (POPs), Health Flexible Spending Accounts (Health FSAs), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs). Participants will learn how plan options overlap, contrast, and complement each other. They will also gain a stronger understanding of ERISA compliance to help clients better adhere to the complexities of federal law relating to employer-sponsored health and related plans.
General Compliance
Broker & Employers
CE #388966
Compliance Compass 2024
Master the evolving landscape of health insurance with this in-depth course. Gain a comprehensive understanding of key compliance areas, transparency initiatives, and legislative changes to proactively address client concerns. Help your clients avoid surprise bills and navigate new regulations with confidence. Equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to advocate effectively for your clients’ best interests. Contribute to the industry's pursuit of increased transparency in health care. Advance your compliance expertise through a concise, impactful presentation.
General Compliance
Broker & Employers
CE #390064
SHRM Certified
Determining Employee Eligibility
This course gives agents a clear understanding of who is eligible for medical insurance in the Small Group marketplace. It helps producers distinguish between eligibility methods employers are able to implement, and offers guidance on which method might work best for different types of businesses. It includes guidance on defining a full-time employee – and information to help employers avoid non-compliance fines and prevent employee mislabeling. CE Credits: 1.
General Compliance
Broker & Employers
CE #383876
SHRM Certified
Group Health Insurance Compliance Notifications
This course covers the myriad of different mandated health insurance compliance and notification responsibilities for employers. Participants will gain an understanding of the laws, contents, and purposes of required notices discussed in the course (including common notices applicable to most employers). You will review the model language for notices, learn to whom employers are required to distribute notices, find out the best time to facilitate distribution (or redistribution), and receive guidance on compliant methods for distribution.
General Compliance
Broker & Employers
CE #389085
Group Insurance and Medicare Integration
This course educates brokers on the evolving overlap of group health benefits and Medicare, with more employees working past the traditional retirement age. Participants will learn about compliance and pitfalls when employers have employees eligible for Medicare and working past age 65. Brokers will gain a broad understanding of how Medicare works alongside typical group health plans. Topics include compliance regarding workforce size, health plans, drug coverage, employer contributions, avoiding fines, improving the insurance experience for working seniors, and more
General Compliance
Broker & Employers
CE #388904
SHRM Certified
Let’s Talk Compliance
This class educates health insurance brokers on key compliance requirements for group-sponsored health plans. The course emphasis is on COBRA, tax law, Premium Only Plans (POPs), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and ERISA. Participants completing this class will be able to: 1) understand the main objectives, requirements, and timelines for each topic covered; 2) identify potential consequences of noncompliance; 3) address the latest health insurance industry compliance developments; and 4) provide reliable guidance to employers on compliance matters.
General Compliance
Broker & Employers
CE #389701
SHRM Certified
Fast Flash Compliance Tips
This class educates health insurance agents on the top compliance areas in the group benefits space. Designed to move quickly, the course provides participants with a diverse array of compliance tips on the most troubling and important areas for employer clients with regard to health plans. Agents will gain insight to provide group health plan insurance solutions and compliance insight to employers, navigating the related pitfalls associated with such plans and general benefit administration to provide clients better peace-of-mind in the often-confusing compliance space. CE Credits: 1.
General Compliance
Brokers Only
CE #385668
Group Health Insurance: Compliance and Calculations
This course educates agents on the myriad of Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance responsibilities and calculations business clients face under the law. The presentation covers critical principles for employers under the ACA and includes an advanced look at some of the law’s most challenging requirements, especially mandated calculations. Also addressed are “affordability” testing and related COBRA and Medicare Primary/Secondary payer calculations. CE Credits: 1.
General Compliance
Broker & Employers
CE #383878
SHRM Certified
Single Payer in California
Participants will learn about “single payer” proposals across the country with an emphasis on efforts in California. This course will help you understand the complexities and better respond to clients’ questions, such as “What would single payer do?”, “How much would it cost?”, and “How would it change the health system — and why?” Topics addressed include the challenges with implementing such a system, disruptions to the current system, estimated costs, changing roles for employers and insurance agents, and more. Agents will gain a deep understanding of California single payer proposals — especially the most-recent proposal (AB 1400) and its funding mechanism (ACA 11).
General Compliance
Brokers Only
CE #387198
SHRM Certified
Transparency: No Surprises
This class will educate you on the new and changing federal “transparency” laws for health plans. It looks at “Transparency in Coverage (TiC)” provisions – and what it means for health plans and consumers. You’ll learn about the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) No Surprises Act with a detailed overview of plan changes, requirements, deadlines, etc. The class also includes a discussion of federal “Mental Health Parity” changes, as enforced under CAA regulation. A high-level overview of federal agent commission transparency requirements is also included.
General Compliance
Brokers Only
CE #387829
Ethics Suite
Foundational Ethics and Principles for Health Insurance Agents
Learn the basic responsibilities of an honest, ethical agent in the health insurance space. The course looks at learned philosophical components of ethics — from principles taught in childhood to ethics and universal concepts, common sense principles, conduct in the workplace, and our industry’s code of ethics — and how to apply quality business practices and ethical solutions to real-life scenarios in health insurance sales. CE Credits: 1.
Ethics Suite
Brokers Only
CE #366636
Worthy of Your Clients’ Trust
This ethics course is designed to educate and inspire brokers to make integrity and customer CARE (compassion, advocacy, responsibility, and education), the foundation for all ethical decisions and service to clients. The course objective is to equip and encourage brokers to set, and consistently adhere to, a high standard of accountability and integrity for themselves and the team members who are under their supervision. CE Credits: 1.
Ethics Suite
Brokers Only
CE #366671
True North: NABIP Code of Ethics as a Moral Compass for Agents
This course challenges brokers to evaluate their own ethical practices to see how they align with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (formerly the National Association of Health Underwriters, NAHU). We discuss the association’s principles as the “true north” of a broker’s moral compass and the importance of privacy, honesty, and professional conduct in sales, service, and all of your dealings with clients, associates, other brokers, and the companies you represent. CE Credits: 1.
Ethics Suite
Brokers Only
CE #368971
Business Development
Legislation 101 for Insurance Agents
Shape California's health insurance future! Gain a clear understanding of California's legislative process and regulatory landscape, and how it compares to the federal level. Learn effective strategies to engage with legislators and contribute to health insurance policy discussions. This course prepares you to become a vocal advocate for clients, and to stay involved in compliance and legislation moving forward.
Business Development
Brokers Only
CE #390360
SHRM Certified
Evolution of Employee Benefits
This course looks at the evolution of employee benefits. It features a high-level overview of major principles in today’s insurance marketplace — including when certain programs and requirements were launched, how and why, and a discussion of how they operate and fit into the health care and insurance space today. Participants will learn why certain programs (like COBRA, Medicare, and Medicaid [Medi-Cal in California]) and laws were developed, resulting changes, and insurance and care issues solved by each. Attendees will be more familiar with the insurance market, and will be better able to use that knowledge to discuss major principles with prospects and clients.
Business Development
Brokers Only
CE #387199
SHRM Certified
Technology & Security
The Future of AI in Health Insurance
This course enables health insurance brokers and agencies to gain a thorough understanding of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and its potential to transform customer service and automate the insurance experience. Participants will explore current and future applications of A.I. and gain insights and practical strategies to effectively integrate A.I. into daily operations. The information shared will also empower participants to navigate ethical and regulatory considerations associated with A.I. implementation.
Technology & Security
Brokers Only
CE #390359
SHRM Certified
How to Navigate the Insurance Marketplace Using Technology
Learn how to collaborate on obtaining the right health care options that meet your customers’ need for the best-possible price. Gain a broad understanding of available employee benefits packages you can quote for your clients — and how to ask the right questions and how to use the technology available to quote correctly. Topics addressed include potential coverage pitfalls, data needed to quote efficiently, understanding value-added services carriers offer, online enrollment, and more. CE Credits: 1.
Technology & Security
Brokers Only
CE #355351
The Fundamentals of Quoting Accurately
Employee benefits agents will gain a better understanding of the evolution, inner workings, and mechanics of quoting — accurately — in an ever-evolving marketplace. Learn the value a quote engine delivers and why quoting for products and policies is sometimes not available. Nuances between carrier and product quoting and their rules will help you deliver better customer support as you identify when group dynamics will support acquisition of a policy with a certain carrier or not, even before quoting. CE Credits: 1.
Technology & Security
Brokers Only
CE #381011