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US New York insurance license exam

New York insurance license exam: prelicensing, format and 2024 results.

A New York-specific summary for the Life, Accident and Health, Personal Lines and Property and Casualty exams, using only the Department of Financial Services (DFS) report and pages and the PSI candidate bulletin linked below.

Practice life and health concepts free Back to exam overview
48.38%Life, Accident and Health pass rate13,609 English-language examinees, 2024
40 hrsprelicensing for life, accident and health20 hours for a single line
70%correct answers to pass70 of 100 or 105 of 150

Prelicensing

Prelicensing course first: 40 hours for life, accident and health.

The bulletin's license chart lists statutory minimum course hours of 20 for Life, 20 for Accident and Health, 40 for Life/Accident and Health, 40 for Personal Lines and 90 for Property and Casualty. You must complete an approved prelicensing course before taking the matching exam. The school certificate is good for a lifetime, and the bulletin lists exemptions such as a statement of employer or professional designations.

PSI — New York DFS Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/28/2023) NY DFS — Life, Accident and Health Agent and Broker Licensing

Format

100 questions in 2 hours, or 150 in 2.5 hours.

  • Life (17-51): 100 questions, 2 hours; 70 correct answers to pass.
  • Accident and Health (17-52): 100 questions, 2 hours; 70 correct to pass.
  • Life, Accident and Health (17-55): 150 items, 2.5 hours; 105 correct to pass.
  • Personal Lines (17-54): 100 questions, 2 hours; 70 correct to pass.
  • Property and Casualty (17-56): 150 questions, 2.5 hours; 105 correct to pass.

The bulletin says a small number (5 to 10) of unscored experimental questions may be added. Counts and passing numbers: DFS 2024 exam report; time limits: PSI bulletin.

NY DFS — Report on Insurance Agent Licensing Examinations (March 15, 2025) PSI — New York DFS Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/28/2023)

Booking and exam day

PSI delivers the exam: test center or remote proctoring.

  • The 2023 bulletin lists a $40 exam fee, non-refundable and non-transferable; the fee is forfeited if you do not test within one year of payment.
  • You can cancel or reschedule without losing the fee if PSI receives notice 2 days before the exam; voicemail and email are not accepted.
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes early with one valid, non-expired signature ID matching your registered legal name.
  • A new appointment cannot be made on the same day as a failed attempt.
  • The PSI registration steps include a choice of test center or remote proctored exam.
PSI — New York DFS Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/28/2023)

Results, 2024

English-language pass rates ranged from 47.80% to 53.94%.

  • Life, Accident and Health: 13,609 examinees; 48.38% passed.
  • Life: 8,034 examinees; 48.49% passed.
  • Accident and Health: 2,888 examinees; 47.99% passed.
  • Personal Lines: 1,461 examinees; 53.94% passed.
  • Property and Casualty: 4,536 examinees; 47.80% passed.
  • Spanish-language Life: 1,991 examinees, 28.18% passed. Spanish-language Life, Accident and Health: 134 examinees, 17.16% passed.

Across all exams, DFS reports 32,925 examinees and a 46.97% passing rate in 2024. The report does not separate first-time takers from repeaters.

NY DFS — Report on Insurance Agent Licensing Examinations (March 15, 2025)

After you pass

Apply within two years of passing; the full license fee is $80.

The bulletin says to submit the license application within two years of passing, with the original passing score report. DFS lists an $80 full fee ($40 half fee for a license of one year or less) for New York residents. Licenses expire on your birthday, in even years if you were born in an even year and odd years if you were born in an odd year. After a license has been in effect more than two years, renewal needs 15 continuing education credits.

PSI — New York DFS Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/28/2023) NY DFS — Life, Accident and Health Agent and Broker Licensing NY DFS — Continuing Education Requirements (agents and brokers)

FAQ

Quick answers

How many questions are on the New York life, accident and health exam?

The DFS 2024 exam report lists 150 questions with 105 correct answers needed to pass. The PSI bulletin lists a 2.5-hour time limit. The single-line Life and Accident and Health exams are 100 questions, 70 correct to pass, in 2 hours.

How many prelicensing hours does New York require?

The PSI bulletin and DFS list 40 hours for Life/Accident and Health and 20 hours for Life only or Accident and Health only. New York lists 40 hours for Personal Lines and 90 hours for Property and Casualty.

What is the pass rate for the New York insurance exam?

For 2024, DFS reports 48.38% of 13,609 English-language Life, Accident and Health examinees passing, and 46.97% across all insurance agent exams (32,925 examinees).

How much is the New York insurance exam?

The PSI candidate bulletin updated April 28, 2023 lists a $40 examination fee. Confirm the current amount on PSI when you register, since the bulletin is dated.