The federal law requires navigators to undergo about 20 hours of initial training as well as training throughout the year and annual certification. However, Mulready said the federal law lacks "basic consumer protection" regarding navigators. His bill requires navigators to register with the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

The bill requires navigators to take the equivalent of four additional hours of training, undergo a background check and maintain a variety of records. Those who fail to register but continue to serve as navigators would be guilty of a misdemeanor and face up to six months in jail under the bill.

Last month, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction against a Missouri law requiring licenses for navigators. The judge ruled that Missouri had declined to establish its own health insurance exchange and was barred from interfering with the federal program.

Other states have measures pending that require navigators to obtain state licenses.

Mulready said he believes his bill does not run afoul of the federal law, which "clearly authorized the states to do things like this."

"Some states went to an extreme I chose not to do that. I actually am working with navigators here in the state to put together something that isn't onerous on them."