How to Get a Life and Health Insurance License in New York

The steps in New York

1. Take the 40-hour pre-licensing course40 hours of state-approved pre-licensing education for the combined life, accident and health license (20 hours for one line). You must finish the course before you take the exam.
2. Pass the state examExams are run by PSI. You take one combined life and health exam. You need a score of 70 to pass.
3. Apply for your licenseApply online through NIPR. New York charges $40 per year of the license term, and licenses run up to 2 years, so most people pay $80. NIPR adds a small transaction fee.
4. Get appointedThe insurance companies you will represent appoint you. When you join an agency, it usually handles this for you.

What it costs

Pre-licensing course	$50 to $350 (set by the course provider)
State exam	$40 per attempt
Fingerprints	Not required for residents
License fee	$80
Typical total	$170 to $510

The low end assumes you pass the first time with a budget course. The high end includes a full-price course and one retake. Many agencies cover or reimburse licensing costs, so ask before you buy anything.

Estimate my exact cost

Good to know

• The combined exam has 150 questions and a 2.5 hour time limit. Apply for your license within 2 years of passing.
• After you are licensed: 15 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including insurance law, ethics, and diversity and bias topics.

Official sources

• New York resident licensing requirements
• dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/agents_and_brokers/lic_app_la_lb
• dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/agents_and_brokers/prelicensing_education
• test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/7228
• dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/agents_and_brokers/continuing_education

New to licensing? Start with How to Get Your Life and Health Insurance License for the full picture.

Checked against official New York sources in October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the New York insurance department before you pay. This is general information, not licensing advice.