Carriers establish certification release dates, certification deadlines required to maintain a book of business, and blackout periods for hierarchy changes and agent releases. Any carrier release request (often referred to as a “delayed release”) that is not completed before a carrier’s blackout period begins will be held and processed once the blackout period ends.

In addition, many FMOs and agencies across the industry implement their own blackout periods to focus resources on agent support and Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) preparation.

The Baldwin Group Health Insurance release blackout period will begin on June 22, 2026, and remain in effect through January 4, 2027. During this time, release requests will be held and processed after the blackout period concludes. This allows our team to focus on supporting agents through certification, recertification, onboarding, training, and AEP readiness.

We appreciate your partnership and look forward to supporting our agents and agency partners through another successful AEP season.

AHIP and NABIP certifications become available on June 22, 2026. Get a head start on AEP preparation by completing your certifications early, allowing you to move through carrier certification requirements as they are released and avoid the last-minute rush.