How to Get Your New York Insurance License in 2026
Compare 6 NY DFS-approved insurance pre-licensing schools. See costs, exam details, and get your NY insurance license fast — Life & Health, P&C, or Personal Lines.
Course Cost
$99 – $350
Time to License
3 – 10 weeks
Avg NY Salary
$78,019/yr
Required Hours
20 – 90 hours
Top 3 New York Insurance Pre-Licensing Schools
1. RealEstateUBest Value
All three NY tracks (L&H, P&C, Personal Lines) starting at $99. Use code CERTLAUNCH for 20% off — just $79.20 to get started.
From $79.20
with code CERTLAUNCH
2. WebCEPrice Leader
L&H and Personal Lines at $109.95. P&C Plus Package at $159.95 with EXCEED daily microlearning. 94% pass rate.
From $109.95
3. Kaplan Financial Education
Most comprehensive course library. Five tiers for L&H ($139–$349) including a live instructor option. NY DFS-approved established brand.
From $139
Best New York Insurance Pre-Licensing Schools
All 6 schools are New York NY DFS-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
RealEstateU
Best ValueStarting at
$99
$79.2
- Lowest starting price: $99 per track (with CERTLAUNCH: $79.20)
- All 3 NY tracks: Life & Health, P&C, and Personal Lines
- Use code CERTLAUNCH for 20% off any package
- NY DFS-approved — streamlined, no-fluff courses
Available Packages (9)
Life & Health — Course Only (40 hrs)
- NY Life, Accident & Health pre-licensing (40 hrs)
- NY DFS-approved certificate of completion
- Online self-paced format
- Unlimited access until course completed
WebCE
Starting at
$109.95
- Price leader: L&H and Personal Lines at $109.95
- 94% pass rate — industry-leading results
- NY DFS-approved provider
- Life & Health, P&C (Plus), and Personal Lines tracks
- NY DFS-approved pre-licensing provider -- completions reported to DFS
Available Packages (3)
Life & Health Complete Package (40 hrs)
- NY Life, Accident & Health pre-licensing (40 hrs)
- Practice exams included
- NY DFS-approved certificate
- Exam prep integrated into pre-licensing course
Kaplan Financial Education
Starting at
$139
- Most comprehensive NY insurance course library
- Live instructor-led option for L&H (Premium tier)
- NY DFS-approved — established industry brand
- L&H: 4 tiers ($139–$289) | P&C & PL: 3 tiers each
Available Packages (10)
Life & Health — Basic ($139)
- NY L&H pre-licensing course (40 hrs)
- Online self-study format
- NY DFS-approved certificate
- Core exam content coverage
ExamFX
Starting at
$169.95
- 99% pass rate claim with confidence guarantee
- Same 3-tier pricing across all NY insurance tracks
- NY DFS-approved provider
- Self-Study, Video, and Live Online tiers available
Available Packages (9)
Life & Health — Self-Study Package
- NY L&H pre-licensing course (40 hrs)
- Online self-study materials
- Practice questions
- NY DFS-approved certificate
A.D. Banker
Starting at
$169.95
- Competitive pricing starting ~$169.95 per track
- L&H, P&C, and Personal Lines all available
- NY DFS-approved provider
- Three tiers: Self-Study, Plus (study guide), and Premium (+ live web classes)
Available Packages (9)
Life & Health — Self-Study
- NY L&H pre-licensing course (40 hrs)
- Online self-study format
- NY DFS-approved certificate
- NY state exam content
Xcel Solutions
Starting at
$199
- Two clear tiers: Standard $199 / Premier $299
- All 3 NY tracks: L&H, P&C, Personal Lines
- NY DFS-approved (Xcel Solutions, LLC)
- Dedicated NY course pages per license track
Available Packages (6)
Life & Health — Standard
- NY L&H pre-licensing course (40 hrs)
- NY state exam content
- Online self-study format
- NY DFS-approved certificate
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
What Is a New York Insurance License?
A New York insurance license is a state-issued credential required by the NY Department of Financial Services (DFS) to legally sell insurance products in New York State. All agents must complete DFS-approved pre-licensing education, pass the PSI Services exam, complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO, and apply through NIPR.
New York offers several license types. The most common are the Life, Accident & Health Agent license (40 hours required, covers life, annuities, and health products) and the Property & Casualty Agent license (90 hours required, covers auto, home, commercial, and liability insurance). The Personal Lines Agent license (40 hours) covers personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance for individuals.
Life & Health
40 hours required
Life, annuities, health & disability insurance
Property & Casualty
90 hours required
Auto, home, commercial & liability insurance
Personal Lines
40 hours required
Personal auto, homeowners & renters insurance
How Much Do New York Insurance Agents Earn?
NY State Average
$78,019/yr
Source: Indeed.com (2026)
NYC Average
$96,057/yr
Manhattan / NYC metro (Indeed 2026)
Commission Structure
Life Insurance
- • First-year commission: 40–100% of annual premium
- • Renewal commission: 2–10% per year
- Example: $1,000/yr policy at 70% = $700 earned
Property & Casualty
- • New policy commission: 10–20% of premium
- • Renewal commission: 8–12% of premium
- Example: $2,000/yr auto at 12% = $240/policy
Salary Range by Career Stage
Entry Level
$45,000
First 1–2 years
Mid-Career
$78,000
NY state average
Top Producers
$150,000+
NYC commercial brokers
Top NY Insurance Markets
Is a New York Insurance License Worth It?
👍 Pros
- + High NY Earning Potential: NYC-based agents average $96K/yr — significantly above the national median of $60K.
- + Affordable to Start: Pre-licensing courses start at just $99 — total cost for a single license is ~$320–$571.
- + Multiple License Tracks: Life & Health, P&C, and Personal Lines — stack licenses to maximize your earning potential.
- + Fast to License: Life & Health (40 hrs) can be completed in 1–2 weeks. P&C (90 hrs) in 2–6 weeks.
👎 Cons
- - Commission-Dependent: Most insurance agents earn primarily through commissions — income can vary, especially in the early years.
- - P&C Course is 90 Hours: The Property & Casualty pre-licensing requirement is one of the longer state requirements nationally.
- - Fingerprinting Required: NY mandates Live Scan fingerprinting through IdentoGO (~$102) — adds time and cost to the process.
How to Get Your New York Insurance License
Choose Your License Type
Decide whether to pursue Life & Health (40 hrs), Property & Casualty (90 hrs), Personal Lines (40 hrs), or multiple lines. Most new agents start with Life & Health or Personal Lines — P&C is the broadest but requires the most study time.
Enroll in a NY DFS-Approved Pre-Licensing Course
Select a NY DFS-approved provider (all schools listed above qualify). Courses are fully online and self-paced. Life & Health (40 hrs) can be completed in 1–2 weeks of full-time study; P&C (90 hrs) typically takes 2–6 weeks. NY rules cap study at 8 hours per day. Your completion certificate is valid for 12 months.
Complete Fingerprinting via IdentoGO
Schedule and complete Live Scan fingerprinting at an IdentoGO location (identogo.com). Required for all first-time applicants. Fee is approximately $101.75. Do this while you are still studying — it typically takes a few days to process and you can do it in parallel.
Register and Pass the PSI Services Exam
Register at candidate.psiexams.com. The exam fee is $33 per exam. Both the Life/A&H exam (Series 17-55) and P&C exam (Series 17-56) consist of 150 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. You must score 70% or higher to pass. Exam results are shown immediately upon completion.
Submit Your License Application via NIPR
Apply through NIPR.com. Attach your course certificate of completion and PSI exam score report. The standard 2-year license fee is $80 (plus NIPR processing fee ~$5–6). Make sure all names match across all documents to avoid delays.
Receive Your NY Insurance License
The NY DFS reviews your application — typically 1–2 weeks if everything is complete. Your license is issued electronically through the DFS portal. You can then affiliate with a carrier or agency and start writing insurance in New York.
New York Insurance License Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- No college degree required
- Social Security Number required
- Must pass fingerprinting & background check
- No prior insurance license required
Pre-Licensing Hour Requirements
- Life Agent: 20 hours
- Accident & Health Agent: 20 hours
- Life, A&H (combined): 40 hours
- Personal Lines Agent: 40 hours
- Property & Casualty: 90 hours
Exam Requirements
- PSI Services exam (not Pearson VUE)
- 150 questions, 2.5-hour time limit
- 70% passing score required
- Register at candidate.psiexams.com
- $33 exam fee per exam
Exemptions from Pre-Licensing
- CPCU (Charter Property Casualty Underwriter)
- CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter)
- ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant)
- MSFS (Masters of Science, Financial Services)
- Brokers with qualifying employer experience
New York Insurance License Cost Breakdown
Here's the complete breakdown of what it costs to get your New York insurance license in 2026:
Life & Health License (40 hours)
| Pre-Licensing Course (L&H — 40 hours) | $79.20 – $199 | Use CERTLAUNCH for 20% off at RealEstateU |
| PSI Services Exam Fee | $33 – $33 | candidate.psiexams.com |
| License Application Fee (NIPR) | $80 – $80 | 2-year standard license fee |
| IdentoGO Fingerprinting | $102 – $102 | Live Scan — identogo.com |
| NIPR Processing Fee | $6 – $6 | Approximate NIPR transaction fee |
| Estimated Total (L&H) | $300 – $420 | Save 20% on education with CERTLAUNCH |
Property & Casualty License (90 hours)
| Pre-Licensing Course (P&C — 90 hours) | $79.20 – $350 | Use CERTLAUNCH for 20% off at RealEstateU |
| PSI Services Exam Fee | $33 – $33 | candidate.psiexams.com |
| License Application Fee (NIPR) | $80 – $80 | 2-year standard license fee |
| IdentoGO Fingerprinting | $102 – $102 | Live Scan — identogo.com |
| NIPR Processing Fee | $6 – $6 | Approximate NIPR transaction fee |
| Estimated Total (P&C) | $300 – $571 | Save 20% on education with CERTLAUNCH |
All state and government fees are non-refundable. Education costs vary by provider and package. Fingerprinting required for first-time applicants only.
The NY Insurance Exam — What to Expect
Life, A&H Exam (Series 17-55)
- Questions: 150 multiple-choice
- Time limit: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Passing score: 70%
- Fee: $33
- Covers: Life, A&H, and combined L/A&H lines
P&C / Personal Lines Exam (Series 17-56)
- Questions: 150 multiple-choice
- Time limit: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Passing score: 70%
- Fee: $33
- Covers: P&C and Personal Lines
Life / A&H Exam Topics
- NY Insurance Regulation (DFS laws)
- General Insurance Concepts
- Life Insurance Basics & Policies
- Life Insurance Policy Provisions
- Annuities
- Health Insurance Basics & Policies
- Health Insurance Policy Provisions
- Federal Tax Considerations
P&C / Personal Lines Exam Topics
- NY Insurance Regulation (DFS laws)
- General Insurance Concepts
- Property & Casualty Basics
- Dwelling & Homeowners Policies
- Auto Insurance
- Commercial Lines
- Liability Insurance
- Workers' Compensation
💡 PSI Exam Tip
Your PSI exam score is shown immediately upon completion. If you pass, only the overall score is displayed. If you fail, a diagnostic report highlighting weak areas is provided — use it to guide your retake preparation. Exam scores are passed automatically to NY DFS. Certificate of completion is valid for 12 months from course completion date.
How Long Does It Take to Get a NY Insurance License?
3 – 4 weeks
Fast Track (L&H)
Full-time study, quick scheduling
6 – 8 weeks
Part-time
Evenings and weekends
8 – 12 weeks
Casual Pace
A few hours per week
| Step | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose your license type | 1 day |
| 2 | Complete pre-licensing course (L&H: 40 hrs / P&C: 90 hrs) | 1–6 weeks |
| 3 | Complete fingerprinting (IdentoGO Live Scan) | 1–3 days |
| 4 | Schedule & pass PSI exam | 1–2 weeks |
| 5 | Submit license application via NIPR | 1–3 days |
| 6 | NY DFS reviews and issues license | 1–2 weeks |
P&C license (90 hours) adds 2–4 more weeks of study time vs. L&H. Fingerprinting can be done in parallel while studying to save time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the pre-licensing education requirements for a New York insurance license?
New York requires different hours depending on the license type: 20 hours for a Life Agent or Accident & Health Agent license; 40 hours for a combined Life, Accident & Health Agent license or Personal Lines Agent license; and 90 hours for a Property & Casualty Agent license. All courses must be approved by the NY Department of Financial Services (DFS). You can search for approved providers on the DFS Portal at myportal.dfs.ny.gov.
Which exam provider does New York use for insurance licensing exams?
New York uses PSI Services — not Pearson VUE — to administer all insurance licensing exams. You can register for your exam online at candidate.psiexams.com. Exams are available at PSI testing centers located across New York State, and online proctored options may also be available. The exam fee is $33 per exam.
What is the passing score for the New York insurance licensing exam?
You must score 70% or higher on the New York insurance licensing exam to pass. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions (for both the Life/A&H and P&C exams) and the time limit is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Your score is displayed immediately upon completion. If you pass, only the overall score is shown; if you fail, a diagnostic report identifying weak areas is provided.
Is fingerprinting required to get an insurance license in New York?
Yes. New York requires all first-time insurance license applicants to complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO (Live Scan). The current fee is approximately $101.75. You can schedule your appointment at identogo.com. Fingerprinting is also required if you are applying two or more years after your license expiration date. It's recommended to schedule fingerprinting early, while you're still completing your pre-licensing course, to avoid delays.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in New York?
The total timeline varies based on your study pace and scheduling. If you study full-time, you can complete the pre-licensing course in 1–2 weeks (for Life/A&H) or 2–6 weeks (for P&C). After passing your PSI exam, the license application review by DFS typically takes 1–2 weeks. Most candidates complete the entire process in 3–10 weeks. Note that New York rules cap pre-licensing study at 8 hours per day.
How much does it cost to get an insurance license in New York?
The main costs are: (1) Pre-licensing course: $99–$350 depending on the line and provider; (2) PSI exam fee: $33 per exam; (3) License application fee via NIPR: $80 (for a standard 2-year license); and (4) Fingerprinting via IdentoGO: ~$102. Total for a single license is approximately $320–$571. If you pursue both Life/A&H and P&C licenses, budget $588–$889 total.
How do I apply for my New York insurance license?
After passing your PSI exam and completing fingerprinting, you apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) at nipr.com. You'll need your pre-licensing course certificate of completion, your PSI exam score report, and your government-issued ID information. Make sure all names and identifying information match exactly across all documents — discrepancies can delay the application. The DFS will review your application and issue the license electronically through the DFS portal.
Can I get an insurance license in New York without a college degree?
Yes. New York only requires a high school diploma (or equivalent) to obtain an insurance license — no college degree is needed. You must be at least 18 years old, complete the required pre-licensing hours, pass the PSI exam, and pass a background check and fingerprinting. Some professional designations (CPCU, CLU, ChFC, MSFS) can exempt you from the pre-licensing course requirement.
How much do insurance agents earn in New York?
New York insurance agents earn significantly more than the national average. The average salary in New York State is approximately $78,019/year, with NYC-based agents averaging $96,057/year (Indeed). The national median is $60,370 (BLS, May 2024). Top producers — especially commercial P&C brokers and experienced life insurance agents in NYC — can earn $150,000–$300,000+ annually. Income is highly commission-driven, so earnings grow substantially with an established book of business.
What is the difference between an insurance agent and an insurance broker in New York?
In New York, the distinction matters legally. An insurance agent represents one or more specific insurance companies and is authorized to bind coverage on their behalf. An insurance broker represents the client (the insured), not the insurer, and shops multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price. To act as a broker in New York, you need a separate broker license. Many experienced producers hold both agent and broker licenses. Brokers often earn higher commissions and have more flexibility, but also carry more responsibility for suitability of coverage.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.