How to Become a Health Insurance Broker: A Real Guide for People Actually Considering It

So you're thinking about becoming a health insurance broker. Maybe someone mentioned it to you, maybe you stumbled across it while looking for a career change, or maybe you've been watching people in the industry and wondering if it could work for you. Whatever brought you here — this guide will give you a straight answer on what it actually takes, what to expect, and how to get started.

No fluff. Just the real steps.

Step 1: Understand What You're Actually Getting Into

Before anything else, it helps to know what the job really looks like day to day — because there's a gap between what people imagine and what it actually is.

You're not a salesperson pushing products on people who don't want them. You're a guide. People come to you overwhelmed by insurance options and leave with a clear plan that fits their life and their budget. You work with individuals, families, and small business owners — and because you're an independent broker with access to multiple carriers, you're always working in their corner, not for any one insurance company.

If you're someone who genuinely likes helping people solve problems, can hold a straightforward conversation, and follows through on what you say you'll do — you already have the most important qualities for this career.

Step 2: Get Your License

Here's the part people overthink. Getting licensed is genuinely not as hard as it sounds.

In Florida, it breaks down like this: complete a state-approved pre-licensing education course, pass the Florida 2-15 Health & Life Insurance exam, and submit your application through the Florida Department of Financial Services. Most people get through the whole process in a few weeks. You don't need a finance degree. You don't need industry experience. You need to study, pass the exam, and submit your paperwork.

A few things to plan for as you go through the process:

Fingerprinting. Florida requires fingerprinting as part of your license application. It's a quick appointment at an approved location with a small associated fee — nothing complicated, but don't let it catch you off guard.

Carrier appointments. Once you're licensed, you'll need to get appointed with each carrier you want to sell for. There's typically a cost to get appointed, so factor that into your startup budget.

Selling in other states. If you want to work with clients outside of Florida, you'll need to obtain non-resident licenses in those states — and each one comes with its own fee. The good news is that once you're set up, your potential client base is essentially nationwide. VIP agents are currently licensed and working in nearly all 50 states.

None of these are barriers — they're just the honest costs of entry into a career with real long-term earning potential. At Vogt Insurance Partners we'll walk you through every step so nothing catches you off guard.

Step 3: Understand How You Get Paid

This is the part that trips people up, so let's just be direct about it.

You'll work as a 1099 independent contractor. That means you're running your own business — not collecting a salary. For some people that's exciting. For others it feels uncertain. Both reactions are completely normal.

Here's what actually matters: your commissions are paid by the insurance carriers, not your clients. The people you help pay nothing extra for your guidance. That makes it easy to build genuine relationships and earn referrals, because you're never asking anyone to pay you — you're just doing right by them.

There are two income streams to understand. First, weekly commissions on new policies you write. Second — and this is the part that builds over time — monthly residual income from your existing book of business. Every client you enroll stays on your book. As long as they remain enrolled, you keep earning. Six months in, a year in, three years in — that residual income keeps compounding. The brokers who stick with it and build consistently find that their income becomes more predictable and more substantial over time, not less.

At VIP there are also monthly, quarterly, and annual bonus opportunities on top of that — and you can start earning during your training period, so you're not waiting months before you see a dollar.

Step 4: Choose the Right Agency to Partner With

This step matters more than most people realize. Your agency affects your training, your carrier access, your income potential, and honestly — whether you enjoy the work or burn out inside a year.

Here's what to look for: real training and ongoing mentorship, direct contracts with multiple carriers, a transparent commission structure, and leadership that actually picks up the phone. Avoid agencies that hand you a contract, give you a PDF, and wish you luck.

At Vogt Insurance Partners, our onboarding is a structured 30-day program — not a fire hose of information and then silence. Phil and Karly are directly involved with every agent on the team. That means 1-on-1 mentorship, live training calls, self-paced resources you can revisit anytime, and real ride-along experience so you're learning in actual client situations. After onboarding, the support doesn't stop — there's ongoing training to keep you current as the industry evolves.

It's not a coincidence that the agents on our team consistently say the culture and mentorship are what set VIP apart. You can read their words on our careers page.

Step 5: Start Building Your Business

Once you're licensed, contracted, and through onboarding — the work begins. And this is where mindset matters as much as skill.

The brokers who build strong, lasting careers in this industry treat it like a real business from day one. They show up consistently, they stay in touch with their clients, they ask for referrals, and they don't quit after a slow week. The income curve in the early months can feel slow — and then it doesn't. The residual income model means that the effort you put in now pays you for years to come.

You don't need to be aggressive or pushy. You need to be reliable, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful. The rest follows.

Thinking About Making the Move?

If you've read this far and it's resonating — that's probably worth paying attention to. Vogt Insurance Partners is actively welcoming new agents across the country, whether you're already licensed or just figuring out where to start.

Reach out or visit our careers page and let's have a real conversation about whether this is the right fit for you. No pressure, no hard sell — just a straightforward discussion about what building a career at VIP actually looks like.