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How to Get Your New York Insurance License in 2026

A complete step-by-step guide to becoming a licensed insurance producer in New York. NY is among the most demanding states for new producers — the NY Department of Financial Services (DFS) requires a full pre-licensing course (90 hours for P&C) before you can sit for the exam.

Pre-licensing requiredNew York mandates a DFS-approved pre-licensing course before the exam. Elite Training Academy is not a DFS-approved NY pre-licensing provider, so you'll take that course through an approved school. Our free practice exam is here to help you prepare once you do.

NY insurance license — quick facts

State regulatorNY Department of Financial Services (DFS)
Exam vendorPSI
Pre-licensing educationRequired — 90 hrs P&C; 40 hrs Life/Accident & Health; 20 hrs Life-only or A&H-only
Exam fee (resident)$40 per attempt
License application fee$80 resident producer (2-yr term)
FingerprintingRequired (IdentoGO)
License term2 years
CE requirement15 credits / 2 years incl. 1 hr insurance law & 1 hr ethics

The six steps

  1. 1

    Complete the required pre-licensing course

    New York DFS requires completion of a DFS-approved pre-licensing course before you can sit for the exam. Per the DFS Prelicensing Education requirements: 90 hours for Property & Casualty, 40 hours for combined Life, Accident & Health, and 20 hours for a Life-only or Accident & Health-only license. The provider issues a Certificate of Completion.

  2. 2

    Schedule your PSI exam

    New York contracts with PSI for resident producer exams. Register at psiexams.com, pick a New York testing center, and pay the current exam fee.

  3. 3

    Pass the exam at 70%

    New York uses a 70% passing standard. Your score is sent directly to NY DFS by PSI, typically within 24 hours.

  4. 4

    Submit your application through NIPR

    Submit your NY resident producer license application at nipr.com along with your pre-licensing Certificate of Completion. The resident producer license fee is $80 for a term greater than one year (up to two years). Licenses typically issue within 2-4 weeks of a clean application.

  5. 5

    Complete fingerprinting

    New York requires fingerprint-based background checks for new resident producers via IdentoGO. Schedule through IdentoGO and have results forwarded to DFS.

  6. 6

    Get appointed by an insurance carrier

    A producer license alone doesn't authorize you to sell — you need at least one carrier appointment.

What's on the NY P&C exam

The NY Property & Casualty exam covers the standard NAIC framework plus NY-specific provisions from the NY Insurance Law and DFS regulations. Typical section weights:

  • NY Insurance Law & DFS regulation — ~15-20%
  • General insurance — ~10-15%
  • Property insurance basics — ~15-20%
  • Dwelling and Homeowners policies — ~10-15%
  • Auto insurance (incl. NY no-fault PIP) — ~15-20%
  • Commercial Package, BOP, Workers' Comp, Surety — ~15-20%

NY DFS — the strictest U.S. insurance regulator

NY DFS is widely regarded as the most rigorous state insurance regulator in the U.S. The 90-hour Property & Casualty pre-licensing course is among the longest producer requirements in the country, and producer applications are scrutinized for complete fingerprinting, clean disciplinary histories, and accurate disclosure. Plan to budget extra time for application processing.

CE requirements after licensing

NY producer licenses renew every 2 years. Each renewal cycle requires 15 credits of DFS-approved continuing education (Insurance Law §2132), including at least 1 hour of insurance law, 1 hour of ethics and professionalism, and 1 hour of diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias — plus 1 hour of flood insurance for property/casualty licensees.

Cost breakdown

  • DFS-approved pre-licensing course: $200-$500 (90 hr P&C)
  • PSI exam fee: $40 per attempt
  • Fingerprinting (IdentoGO): fee paid at the center, see the DFS fingerprint page
  • NY DFS resident producer license: $80 (2-yr term)
  • Biennial CE: $30-$200 depending on provider

Study smarter for the New York exam

New York requires a DFS-approved pre-licensing course before the producer exam, and Elite Training Academy is not a DFS-approved NY pre-licensing provider — you'll complete that course through an approved school. What we can help with: get exam-ready with our free practice test before you sit the PSI exam.

Try the free practice exam →

Frequently asked questions

Does New York require pre-licensing education?

Yes. New York Insurance Law (Sections 2103, 2104 and 2108) requires resident producers to complete a DFS-approved pre-licensing course before sitting for the exam. The DFS minimum hours are 90 for Property & Casualty, 40 for combined Life, Accident & Health, and 20 for a Life-only or Accident & Health-only license.

How strict is NY compared to other states?

Very. NY DFS is one of the strictest U.S. insurance regulators. The 90-hour Property & Casualty pre-licensing course is among the longest producer requirements in the country, and producer applications are reviewed carefully — clean fingerprints, no unresolved disciplinary matters, and a complete file are essential.

What's the passing score on the NY insurance exam?

70%. PSI administers the exam and sends your score directly to DFS.

How long does it take to get a NY insurance license?

Most candidates complete the process in 8-12 weeks: 4-6 weeks for the DFS-approved pre-licensing course, 2-3 weeks of exam prep, schedule and pass the PSI exam, fingerprinting, and then 2-4 weeks for DFS to issue.

Related guides

Sources cited

This guide is based on NY DFS and PSI published procedures current as of 2026. Fees and procedures change — always verify current requirements at dfs.ny.gov before relying on any specific number.