CEC Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CEC exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CEC Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CEC Topics to Study (69)
✍️ Sample CEC Questions & Answers
1. An applicant states they are a lawfully present non-citizen. Which immigration status would make them eligible for Marketplace coverage but NOT for Medicaid/CHIP under the standard 5-year bar?
Lawful Permanent Residents are subject to a 5-year waiting period before qualifying for federally funded Medicaid, but they are eligible for Marketplace coverage immediately.
2. Under federal regulations, how long must certified enrollment counselors (Navigators/Assisters) retain applicant records and documentation?
Federal Navigator regulations generally require that records related to enrollment assistance be retained for a minimum of 5 years to support oversight and auditing requirements.
3. What does 'minimum necessary' mean in the context of HIPAA privacy rules for enrollment counselors?
The minimum necessary standard requires that access to PHI be limited to only what is needed to accomplish the intended purpose.
4. Under FERPA, which of the following is considered 'directory information' that may be disclosed without consent unless the student opts out?
FERPA permits schools to designate certain non-sensitive data such as name, address, and enrollment status as directory information, which may be released without prior consent unless the student opts out.
5. During a phone enrollment session, a client seems distressed and repeatedly asks the same question. The BEST response is to:
Pausing and acknowledging distress demonstrates empathy and helps de-escalate while addressing the confusion.
6. Which federal program provides health coverage specifically to low-income pregnant women who do not otherwise qualify for Medicaid?
CHIP Perinatal (or unborn child option) allows states to extend CHIP coverage to unborn children of low-income women who don't qualify for Medicaid.