New York requires insurance agents and brokers to pass a state licensing exam before selling insurance. Licensing is overseen by the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS). ExamsLib offers free practice questions and study guides to help you prepare for the New York insurance exam.
Overview
Exam Overview
In New York, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) sets the standards for resident individual agents and brokers across multiple lines of authority, including Life, Accident and Health, Property/Casualty, and Personal Lines. PSI Services administers all New York insurance licensing exams at PSI testing centers statewide, with registration through candidate.psiexams.com. The passing score is 70 percent.
DFS prelicensing hour minimums vary by line of authority: Life only and Accident and Health only each require 20 hours, the combined Life, Accident and Health course requires 40 hours, Personal Lines Agent/Broker requires 40 hours, and Property/Casualty Agent/Broker requires 90 hours. These are the official DFS figures; some prep-industry sources cite different numbers, so ExamsLib follows the DFS prelicensing education page as the source of truth.
Scope
License Types
New York recognizes the following insurance credential types:
- Resident Individual Agent/Broker - Multiple lines of authority: Life; Accident and Health; Life, Accident and Health (combined); Property/Casualty Agent; Property/Casualty Broker; Personal Lines Agent; Personal Lines Broker.
- Other Lines - Life Settlement Broker; Public Adjuster; Excess Lines Broker (requires an existing Property/Casualty Broker license, with no separate prelicensing or exam for excess lines itself).
Structure
Exam Format
PSI Services administers all New York insurance licensing exams at PSI testing centers statewide, with registration through candidate.psiexams.com. The passing score is 70 percent. Confirm current question counts and time limits in the PSI candidate handbook before your test date.
Score
Passing Score
New York requires a passing score of 70 percent on insurance licensing exams administered by PSI. Confirm the current passing standard for your specific line of authority in the PSI candidate handbook.
Eligibility
Requirements
Typical requirements to sit for the New York insurance exam include:
- A DFS-approved prelicensing course per line of authority: Life only 20 hours; Accident and Health only 20 hours; Life, Accident and Health combined 40 hours; Personal Lines Agent/Broker 40 hours; Property/Casualty Agent/Broker 90 hours; Public Adjusters 40 hours; Life Settlement Broker 20 hours.
- Passing the PSI exam for your line of authority.
Exemptions from prelicensing exist for certain Section 2104/2108 broker/adjuster applicants with a Statement of Employer (a work-experience path) and for holders of CPCU, CLU, CLUA, ChFC, or MSFS designations.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state licensing authority before applying.
Cost
Fees
License application fees vary by license type; see the DFS Application Fee Schedule for current amounts. There are no refunds for licenses applied for in error. Always confirm current fee amounts with DFS before submitting payment.
Plan Ahead
Study Plan
A focused 4 to 6 week study plan works well for most candidates:
- Week 1-2: Complete your DFS-approved prelicensing course and review Life and Health Insurance fundamentals.
- Week 3-4: Work through Property and Casualty Insurance and Insurance Regulations, then take a full-length practice test.
- Week 5-6: Review every missed question, drill weak areas, and register for your PSI exam.
Practice topics on ExamsLib cover Life and Health Insurance, Property and Casualty Insurance, and Insurance Regulations.
Focus Areas
Study Topics
LI Life and Health Insurance
Study life and health insurance for your licensing exam. Covers term and whole life, annuities, HMO vs PPO, disability income, and key policy provisions.
Study this topicPI Property and Casualty Insurance
Study property and casualty insurance for your licensing exam. Covers homeowners policies, commercial property, liability, auto insurance, and workers' comp.
Study this topicIR Insurance Regulations
Study insurance regulations for your licensing exam. Covers producer licensing, unfair trade practices, cancellation rules, rebating, and insurable interest.
Study this topic
Keep Exploring
Related Pages
Frequently asked questions
Who issues insurance licenses in New York?
The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) licenses resident individual agents and brokers. Exams are administered by PSI Services at testing centers statewide. Always verify the current process with DFS, since rules can change.
How many prelicensing hours does New York require?
It depends on the line of authority. Life only and Accident and Health only each require 20 hours, the combined Life, Accident and Health course requires 40 hours, Personal Lines Agent/Broker requires 40 hours, and Property/Casualty Agent/Broker requires 90 hours. These are the official DFS figures; some prep-industry sources cite different numbers.
What is the passing score on the New York insurance exam?
70 percent. PSI Services administers the exam at testing centers statewide with registration through candidate.psiexams.com.
Are there exemptions from New York's insurance prelicensing requirement?
Yes, for certain Section 2104/2108 broker/adjuster applicants with a Statement of Employer (a work-experience path) and for holders of CPCU, CLU, CLUA, ChFC, or MSFS designations. Confirm current exemption rules with DFS.
How often do New York insurance licenses renew?
The license term is birthdate-based: licensees born in even years expire on their birthday in even years, and licensees born in odd years expire on their birthday in odd years. 15 credits of continuing education are required to renew or relicense certain insurance licenses once a license has been in effect for more than 2 years, and for every subsequent renewal.
