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New York Insurance Licensing State Requirements

On this page, you will find all of the state-specific information for Insurance Licensing in the state of New York. This information pertains to resident license applicants. For additional information for resident licensing, or for non-resident license information, please refer to the New York State Insurance Department website at http://www.ins.state.ny.us. Information is subject to change, and we will do our very best to make the process of completing your licensing education requirements as simple as possible.

New York State Department of Financial Services

Insurance Division

New York State Department of Financial Services

1 State Street
New York, NY 10004-1511
Phone: 518-474-6630
Fax:  518-474-5048
Website: http://www.dfs.ny.gov
Email: licensing@dfs.ny.gov

How to Get Your New York Insurance License


1. Complete an Insurance Prelicensing Course

New York requires those seeking an insurance license to complete prelicensing before taking the state licensing exam. Prelicensing courses with Kaplan give you the best chance to pass—our pass rates are among the highest in the industry. 


Prelicensing Education Hour Requirements

  • Life, Accident & Health: 40 Hours (for live class approvals, minimum of 20 classroom hours required).
  • Life (only): 20 Hours (for live class approvals, minimum of 10 classroom hours required).
  • Accident & Health (only): 20 Hours (for live class approvals, minimum of 10 classroom hours required).
  • Property & Casualty: 96 Hours (for live class approvals, minimum of 90 classroom hours required).
  • Personal Lines: 43 Hours (for live class approvals, minimum of 40 classroom hours required).
  • Adjuster: No Prelicensing Education Requirement.

Acceptable Methods of Education

  • Classroom (Traditional or Live Online)
  • Online

Live Class Requirements

  • Pre-Class Study (must be completed prior to attending the live class): 10 hours (Life only 20 hour class and Health only 20 hour class), 20 hours (Life & Health 40 hour class)
  • In-Class Exam: In New York, an in-class graded exam is given in the Life & Health class to test your readiness for the state exam. The test must be passed with a 70% or greater in order to receive a certificate of completion. You must pass the final exam in one sitting in a 90-minute time limit.

    Prelicensing Education Exemptions

    Candidates with the following designations or certifications are exempt from prelicensing education requirements and Part 1 of the exam. In order to be licensed: 

    • CLU® designees need only take the Life & Health Laws and Regulations exam.
    • CPCU® designees need only take the Property & Casualty Laws and Regulations exam.

    2. Pass Your New York Licensing Exam

    After completing your required prelicensing course, you must pass a state licensing exam. Kaplan’s prelicensing content is based directly on the New York licensing exams, so you will be prepared to pass the first time. 

    Exam Provider: PSI

    For exam information and for scheduling, go to the PSI website: https://www.psiexams.com/test-takers/ 
    Phone Number: 1-877-526-6833

     

    3. Apply for a New York Insurance License

    After passing the license examination (if an examination is required), you must submit your license application to the Department, along with any other required paperwork for the type of license you are seeking.

    For Information, Rules and Requirements, an FAQ and to apply, please go to the NIPR website: https://nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/new-york-resident-licensing-individual 

     

    4. Plan to Complete Required Insurance Continuing Education (CE) Credits

    Every insurance producer must adhere to their home state’s CE requirements. Stay on top of your CE and ahead of the competition with 365 days of unlimited course access when you enroll in a CE library with Kaplan. New York does not require Adjusters to complete insurance continuing education.

    Learn how to renew a New York insurance license by clicking here: https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/insurance-continuing-education/new-york/state-requirements

    Select a Line of Authority and Start Earning Your License Today:

    Life & Health

    This license qualifies you to explain, sell, and write life and health insurance products in New York.

    Property & Casualty

    This license qualifies you to sell products designed to protect from financial issues as a result of damage or injury in New York.

    Personal Lines

    This license qualifies you to sell a variety of insurance plans directly to consumers in New York.