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Insurance Agent
Training: 90 hours | Exam: Yes
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
90 hrs
P&C Education
90 hrs
L&H Education
2 years (birthday renewal)
Renewal Cycle
$166+
Gov. Fees (Both)
Insurance Agent or Broker
New York uniquely distinguishes between Insurance Agents (appointed by carriers) and Insurance Brokers (independent, representing consumers). Both require licensing through DFS. Lines of authority include Property & Casualty, Life, Accident & Health, and Personal Lines. New York requires substantial pre-licensing education: 96 hours for P&C (at least 90 classroom hours) and 40 hours for combined Life/Accident & Health. Exams are administered by PSI Services.
Other Available Lines of Authority
90 hours of approved pre-licensing education required
90 hours (P&C); 40 hours (Personal Lines or Life/Accident & Health); 20 hours (Accident & Health only).
Online courses: Not allowed
New York Property and Casualty Insurance Examination
Administered by Pearson VUE
150
Questions
70%
Passing Score
150 minutes (2.5 hours)
Time Limit
$33
Exam Fee
The exam has 150 total questions covering both general and New York state-specific knowledge. A 70% overall score is required to pass (no minimum per section). Candidates can schedule through PSI online or by calling (855) 579-4637. The exam must be passed within 2 years of applying for the license.
90 hours of approved pre-licensing education required
90 hours (P&C); 40 hours (Personal Lines or Life/Accident & Health); 20 hours (Accident & Health only).
Online courses: Not allowed
New York Life, Accident and Health Insurance Examination
Administered by Pearson VUE
150
Questions
70%
Passing Score
150 minutes (2.5 hours)
Time Limit
$33
Exam Fee
The combined Life, Accident and Health exam has 150 total questions (2.5 hours). Individual Life-Only or Accident & Health exams are 100 questions each (2 hours). A 70% overall score is required. No minimum per-section score needed.
Compare top-rated insurance pre-licensing schools in New York.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education
No specific education requirement beyond pre-licensing course
Residency
Must apply as resident agent if domiciled in New York. Non-residents apply through NIPR.
Background Check
Fingerprinting is required for first-time applicants and applicants who are applying two or more years past their license expiration date. Fingerprinting is done through IdentoGO Live Scan. If fingerprinting is done at a New York authorized IdentoGO Center outside of New York State, an additional fee will be charged.
Fingerprinting
Required
Citizenship
US citizen or authorized to work in the US
Not sure if you need a insurance agent license? Check whether your state requires one.
New York Life, Accident and Health Insurance Examination
Questions
150 questions
Time Limit
150 minutes (2.5 hours)
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Pearson VUE
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $33Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the New York Life, Accident and Health Insurance Examination.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Life & Health Insurance License Exam
Prepare for your Life & Health Insurance License Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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Complete Your Pre-Licensing Education in New York
State-approved online courses you can start today.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee State license fee for initial application | $50 |
P&C Exam Fee Property and Casualty exam fee paid to PSI | $33 |
L&H Exam Fee Life, Accident and Health exam fee paid to PSI (same fee for combined or individual line exams) | $33 |
Fingerprinting Fee Fingerprinting fees vary by vendor and location. The listed amount reflects the state processing fee — total cost including vendor fees may be higher. | Varies (set by IdentoGO) |
Total Gov. Fees (Single Line) Application ($50) + exam ($33) + fingerprinting (varies) for one line of authority | $83+ |
Total Gov. Fees (Both Lines) Two applications ($50 x 2 = $100) + P&C exam ($33) + L&H exam ($33) + fingerprinting (varies, one-time) | $166+ |
Pre-Licensing Course Cost: $300-$700(per line)
96-hour P&C course or 40-hour L&H course. Significant because most hours must be classroom/live. NOT a government fee.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Complete the approved 96-hour Property & Casualty pre-licensing course (at least 90 classroom hours)
Pass the course Certification Exam with 70% or higher to receive Certificate of Completion
Schedule the NY P&C licensing exam through PSI (online or call 855-579-4637)
Pass the P&C exam (150 questions, 70% passing score, 2.5 hours)
Complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO Live Scan
Apply for your license through DFS within 2 years of exam passage
Submit Certificate of Completion, fingerprint receipt, and application
Pay the $50 application fee
Complete the approved 40-hour Life, Accident & Health pre-licensing course (at least 20 classroom hours)
Pass the course Certification Exam with 70% or higher to receive Certificate of Completion
Schedule the NY Life, Accident & Health licensing exam through PSI
Pass the exam (150 questions, 70% passing score, 2.5 hours)
Complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO if not already on file
Apply for your license through DFS within 2 years of exam passage
Submit Certificate of Completion, fingerprint receipt, and application
Pay the $50 application fee
Important: A license alone does not allow you to sell insurance
After obtaining your license, you must be appointed by at least one insurance company to sell their products. New York distinguishes between Agents (appointed by carriers) and Brokers (independent). Agents must be appointed; Brokers do not need carrier appointments but must have a surety bond.
Appointment fee: Paid by carrier
New York participates in NIPR for non-resident producer licensing. Non-resident applicants must hold equivalent lines of authority in their home state. Fingerprinting is required for first-time applicants.
Additional requirements: Must hold active license in good standing in home state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare New York with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Renewal Cycle
2 years (birthday renewal)
Renewal Fee
$80
CE Required
15 hours per cycle
Ethics Hours
1 hours (included in CE total)
Single-line licensed agents/brokers (Life/Health OR Property/Casualty) must complete 15 credits every 2 years in courses approved for their line of authority. Multi-line licensed agents/brokers (Life/Health AND Property/Casualty) must complete 30 credits every 2 years: 15 in Property and/or Casualty and 15 in Life and/or Health. CE is required once the license has been in effect for more than 2 years. Renewal is on the licensee's birthday every 2 years.
Regulatory Board
Unique to New York: New York is one of the most demanding states for insurance licensing due to its 96-hour P&C pre-licensing requirement with 90 hours mandated as classroom/live instruction (no fully online self-study). The state also uniquely distinguishes between Agents and Brokers as separate license types. The pre-licensing Certificate of Completion never expires, which is unusual. Multi-line agents face 30 credits of CE every 2 years (15 per line). New York uses DFS rather than a traditional Department of Insurance.
Insurance Agent requirements in nearby states
| State | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|
| New York (you) | 4–10 wks | |
| Connecticut | 4–10 wks | → |
| Massachusetts | 4–10 wks | → |
| New Jersey | 4–10 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | 4–10 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in New York
See how New York compares: Insurance Agent License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
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Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New York.
Insurance Agent Schools in New York
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Compare approved insurance agent courses available in New York. Prices and availability verified 2026.
Kaplan Financial Education
40-hour state-approved Life & Health pre-licensing course covering New York insurance regulations.
40 hours · Self-paced, typically 1-3 weeks
Best for: Students pursuing life & health lines
ExamFX
40-hour state-approved Life & Health pre-licensing with Greenlight Pass Guarantee for the New York exam.
40 hours · Self-paced, typically 1-3 weeks
Best for: Students wanting pass guarantee assurance
We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on our site. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.
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Official Sources
Insurance Agent requirements in New York verified against New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), April 2026.
Moving to New York? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Insurance Agent license to New York →
Transfer your Insurance Agent license from New York to: Connecticut → | Massachusetts → | New Jersey → | Pennsylvania → | Vermont →
Study guides for P&C, life & health, and other insurance licensing exams.
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