New York Life Insurance Study Roadmap

New York's Department of Financial Services splits its prelicensing requirement by license scope, which means the first decision you make — life-only versus life, accident and health — changes your entire course schedule before you've answered a single practice question.

The requirement, in plain terms

• A life-only license requires a 20-hour prelicense course; a Life, Accident and Health Agent license requires 40 hours.
• PSI Services administers the exam, and a passing score is 70% or higher.
• After passing, you apply through the DFS Secure Portal (a $40 application fee applies) within 2 years of your exam date.
• Holders of certain professional designations (CPCU, CLU, CLUA, ChFC, or a Master of Science in Financial Services) may be exempt from the prelicensing course.

Source: New York State Department of Financial Services, Agent and Broker Prelicensing Education (dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/agents_and_brokers/prelicensing_education). Requirements can change; confirm the current version, and direct specific questions to Licensing@dfs.ny.gov, before you enroll.

Why the two-year window changes your strategy

A two-year application window is longer than most states give you, which removes the pressure to test the moment your course ends. Use that room deliberately: finish the course, then give yourself real practice-question time before scheduling the exam, instead of testing immediately just because you technically could.

Where to focus practice time

If you're taking the combined Life, Accident and Health course, budget noticeably more practice time than a life-only candidate — 40 hours of source material means a proportionally larger question bank to work through before test day. Whichever track you're on, prioritize New York's own rules and ethics content over rereading the shared policy-and-rider material a second time; the state-specific section is the part a generic study guide is least likely to prepare you for well.

Reviewed against official sources on September 19, 2026. Educational study material only. This is not an official course, it is not affiliated with the New York State Department of Financial Services or any exam provider, and it is not a guarantee of passing. Always confirm current requirements with DFS directly.