How to get your New York life, accident and health license

Who can apply

For a New York resident license you must be at least 18. You must complete a pre-licensing course, pass the state exam, and apply within two years of passing. A resident license is for someone who has declared New York as their home state, meaning where they live or have their main place of business.^2,6

The course comes first. For the combined life, accident and health authority it is a 40-hour DFS-approved course (some designations waive it). If you want only one line, life or accident and health, the minimum is 20 hours. An agent who holds the CLU or CLUA designation can skip the course and take the 50-question Life and Health Laws and Regulations exam (17-73) instead of the full exam.^1,3,6

Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1033) bars anyone convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or breach of trust from working in insurance unless the Superintendent consents. If that applies to you, file the Application for Written Consent with your license application. Passing the exam doesn't guarantee a license: DFS checks your background before it issues one.⁶

Step by step

1. Complete a DFS-approved pre-licensing course. DFS's portal lists approved providers and courses. Your provider gives you a School Certificate. Keep it: it never expires, and you submit it with your application.^1,6
2. Book the exam with PSI, online or by phone. It is the New York Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Agent/Broker (Series 17-55), given by PSI. It has 150 scored, plus 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions, and you get 2.5 hours. The fee is $40, it isn't refundable, and you lose it if you don't test within a year of paying. To cancel or reschedule without losing the fee, PSI must get your notice 2 days before the exam.⁶
3. Take the exam at a PSI test center or online with a remote proctor. You see your score on screen when you finish, and PSI emails you a score report.⁶
4. Apply online through NY LINX within two years of passing. Upload whatever DFS's Submission Requirements Chart asks for, and pay the license fee: $80 for a New York resident, or $40 if the license is issued for one year or less. You can pay by credit card, e-check or paper check. A paper check keeps your application pending until DFS has processed it.^1,2,6
5. Look yourself up with DFS's Producer/Licensee Search. DFS doesn't mail paper licenses, so print yours as soon as it is issued.¹
6. Get appointed. You don't need an appointment to get an agent license, but you do need one to do business as an agent. The insurer must file a notice of appointment with DFS within 15 days of signing your agency contract or the date you send it your first application.^1,6

What it costs

License fees aren't refundable, and DFS won't refund a license you applied for by mistake.^1,4

Exam day

Register with your legal first and last name exactly as it appears on your ID. Bring one valid, unexpired ID with your photo and signature: a state driver's license or ID card, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, alien registration card, or Canadian government ID. If the names don't match or you have no proper ID, you can't test and you lose the fee.⁶

At a test center, arrive at least 15 minutes early. If you arrive late, you may be turned away and lose the fee. Phones, watches, calculators, bags, notes, pens, food and drink are not allowed. You may be given scratch paper and a pencil, which you hand back at the end. You can leave only for the restroom, with the proctor's permission, and the clock keeps running.⁶

With a remote proctor, check your computer, webcam and audio before exam day, and start within 15 minutes of your booked time or you lose the fee. You can't have scratch paper, and breaks aren't allowed. If you think you'll need one, PSI says to book a test center instead.⁶

A tutorial of up to 15 minutes comes first and doesn't count against your time. You can go back and change answers until time runs out. You need 70% (105 of the 150 scored questions). If you fail, the emailed report shows your strengths and weaknesses. Pay the fee again each time; you can't book a retake on the day you test.^6,7

Study the licensing rules the exam tests

• New York producer licensing: process, definitions, and license types (Ins. Law 2101-2109, 2136) Free · practice set
• New York license maintenance, continuing education, and disciplinary actions (Ins. Law 2103, 2110, 2127, 2132, 2134)

After you're licensed

Your license expires on your birthday every two years: in even-numbered years if you were born in an even year, and in odd-numbered years if you were born in an odd year. Your first license can therefore run for less than two years.^1,4

Once your license has been in effect for more than two years, each renewal needs 15 credits of continuing education from DFS-approved courses. They must include at least one hour each of Insurance Law, ethics and professionalism, and diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias. Finish your CE before you submit the renewal.⁵

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a pre-licensing course to get a New York life and health license?

Yes. You need a 40-hour DFS-approved course (some designations waive it). An agent with the CLU or CLUA designation can waive the course and take the shorter 17-73 laws-and-regulations exam instead.^1,3,6

How much does it cost to get a New York life, accident and health license?

The exam is $40 per attempt, paid to PSI. The license fee is $80 for a New York resident, or $40 if the license is issued for one year or less. The pre-licensing course is priced by its provider.^1,6

How long is the New York 17-55 exam?

You get 2.5 hours. The exam has 150 scored, plus 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions.⁶

Can I take the New York insurance exam online?

Yes. PSI offers a remote-proctored exam as well as test centers. Remotely, you can't take breaks or use scratch paper.⁶

How long is a passing score good for?

Two years. DFS must receive your license application within two years of the date you passed.^2,6

Can I sell insurance as soon as my license is issued?

As an agent, you also need an appointment from an insurer, filed with DFS within 15 days of signing the agency contract or sending in your first application. A broker represents the client and isn't appointed, though some insurers accept business only from appointed agents.¹

Official sources

1. New York State Department of Financial Services: Life, Accident and Health Agent and Broker Licensing - Individual and TBA
2. New York State Department of Financial Services: Insurance Agent and Broker License Application - Individual or TBA
3. New York State Department of Financial Services: Agent and Broker Prelicensing Education
4. New York State Department of Financial Services: Insurance Agents and Brokers
5. New York State Department of Financial Services: Continuing Education Requirements
6. PSI Services LLC: New York Department of Financial Services Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/28/2023)
7. New York State Department of Financial Services: Annual Report on Insurance Agent Licensing Examinations, year ending December 31, 2025

Checked against these sources as of October 13, 2026.