How long does it take to get a life insurance license in New York?

Plan on 1 to 4 weeks. Most candidates finish the 20-hour pre-licensing course in 1 to 2 weeks studying part-time, then schedule the PSI Services LLC exam. Including fingerprinting and New York DOI application processing, total time from start to license issuance is typically 3 to 6 weeks.

How much does a New York life insurance license cost?

Budget about $275 all-in: pre-licensing or exam-prep course (~$149), the $33 state exam fee, the $80 New York license application fee, and roughly $50 for fingerprinting/background check. The Price Group reimburses qualifying course costs after your first sale.

Do I need to be a New York resident to get a New York life insurance license?

No. New York issues non-resident licenses to agents already licensed in good standing in their home state. The non-resident application is filed through NIPR with no additional New York pre-licensing required.

Which New York license should I get for selling final expense and term life?

The New York Life Producer (Life-Only) license is the minimum required to sell life insurance, including final expense and term/whole life. If you also want to sell Medicare Supplement or under-65 health, you can either take a combined Life & Health course up front or add the Health line later. TPG agents typically start Life-Only and add Health when they are ready.

How much does it cost to get an insurance license in New York?

Plan on about $372 total in 2026 for the New York Life Producer license: pre-licensing or exam-prep course around $209, $33 PSI Services LLC exam fee, $80 New York license application fee, and roughly $50 for fingerprinting and the background check. Optional study materials and any exam retakes are not included. The Price Group reimburses qualifying course costs after your first sale.

What is the cheapest way to get a New York insurance pre-licensing course?

Self-paced online providers run roughly $100 to $250 for the required 20-hour New York pre-licensing course. The cheapest legitimate options are state-approved online schools that bundle the course with exam-prep practice tests. Avoid providers under about $80 that skip required seat-time tracking, which New York will reject. The Price Group reimburses qualifying course costs after your first issued policy, so the practical out-of-pocket can be $0 once you start writing business.

New York Insurance License Requirements 2026 - Cost: $372 All-In

20 hours of pre-licensing, PSI Services LLC exam, about $372 all-in. Here is the exact path.

Verified against the New York Department of Financial Services on June 7, 2026.

Free New York Licensing Roadmap

A printable step-by-step PDF covering pre-licensing, fingerprinting, the PSI Services LLC exam, and what to do the week your license arrives.

20 hrs

Pre-licensing hours

70%

Passing score

~$372

Total cost estimate

Typical timeline: 2 to 4 weeks

Path options: Life: 20 hours Health: 20 hours Life + Health: 40 hours

5 Steps to Get Licensed in New York

Follow this exact sequence to go from zero to fully appointed agent.

1
Complete pre-licensing education
Finish your state-approved pre-licensing course online. Most students complete it in under a week with focused study.
Start the JustInsurance Course
2
Schedule your New York state exam
Register through PSI Services LLC, the testing partner for the New York Department of Financial Services. Pick a testing center near you or, in most states, a remote-proctored slot.
Schedule with PSI Services LLC Visit New York Department of Financial Services
3
Pass the New York life insurance exam
Show up early, bring two valid IDs, and use the JustInsurance practice tests beforehand. Most students who follow the study plan pass on the first attempt.
Retake policy: Retake policy: scheduling your next available test date with no mandatory waiting period.
4
Submit your license application
After passing, file your application through NIPR or your state's online portal. Background check and fingerprinting are usually required.
Fingerprinting: Fingerprint requirement varies; check with the state DOI before applying.
5
Get appointed with carriers
A license alone does not let you sell. You need carrier appointments. The Price Group handles contracting with 20+ A-rated carriers so you can start writing business right away.

Want this written out as a printable checklist?

New York Licensing Cost Breakdown

Everything you can expect to pay to get fully licensed in New York.

Item	Cost
Pre-licensing course (JustInsurance)	$39
New York state exam fee	$33
License application fee	$80
Background check / fingerprinting	$50
Estimated total	~$372

Costs are estimates based on the most current published fees and may change. Verify with your state's Department of Insurance before paying.

How much does a New York insurance license cost in 2026?

The all-in cost to get a New York Life Producer license is about $372 in 2026. That figure covers the standard pre-licensing or exam-prep course, the state exam fee, the New York license application fee, and the required background check.

Line-item breakdown: pre-licensing or exam-prep course approximately $209, PSI Services LLC exam fee $33, New York license application fee $80, and fingerprinting/background check roughly $50.

Not included in the $372: optional study materials, retake fees if you fail the exam ($33 each attempt), and the appointment fee a carrier pays on your behalf once you are contracted. The Price Group reimburses qualifying course costs after your first policy is issued.

New York life insurance exam: format, questions, and passing score

The New York life insurance producer exam is administered by PSI Services LLC. It contains 100 scored questions, you have 120 minutes to complete it, and you need a 70% score to pass. Results are delivered on screen immediately when you submit.

Question topics typically cover life insurance products and concepts, annuities, New York statutes and rules, and ethics and producer responsibilities. Calculators are provided on screen and you may not bring your own.

If you fail, you can rebook the next available PSI Services LLC date per the state's retake policy and pay the $33 fee again. Most candidates who fail the first attempt pass on the second after focused review of New York-specific statutes and product suitability.

How many hours of pre-licensing are required in New York?

New York requires 20 hours of approved pre-licensing education for the resident life producer license. Courses must be completed through a state-approved provider and verify seat time so you cannot skip ahead.

Most TPG agents finish a 20-hour course in 4 to 8 days studying part-time. Plan on 3 to 5 hours per day if you want to compress the timeline, or spread it across 2 weeks if you are working full-time.

Of the total, 1 hours of ethics content is required as part of the curriculum.

How long does it take to get a New York insurance license?

The typical timeline from registration to license-in-hand is 3 to 6 weeks in New York.

Week 1-2: complete pre-licensing (20 hours required). Week 2-3: schedule and pass the PSI Services LLC exam. Week 2-3: submit the New York license application and complete fingerprinting/background check. Week 3-6: the state reviews the application and issues the license, usually within 7 to 14 business days of receiving cleared fingerprints.

The two variables that slow most people down are study pace and how quickly fingerprinting can be scheduled in your area.

New York license fees at a glance

Pre-licensing or exam-prep course: approximately $209 depending on provider. PSI Services LLC exam fee: $33 per attempt. New York license application fee: $80. Fingerprinting/background check: $50. License term: 2 years before the first renewal cycle. Continuing education: 15 hours every 2-year renewal, including 1 hours of ethics.

There is no separate license issuance fee beyond the application fee in most cases. New York does not charge an annual renewal fee outside of the CE compliance cost (CE courses typically cost $50 to $150 per renewal cycle).

Just got your New York Life Producer license? Here is your next step.

A license is only the first step. The Price Group is a remote-first insurance agency that gives newly licensed New York agents AI-powered final expense leads, carrier contracts with top commissions, daily live training, and a proven sales script. We focus on telesales so you can write business from anywhere in New York without door-knocking. Apply below and we will set up a call to walk you through how it works.

License term

2 years

CE hours per renewal

15 hrs (1 ethics)

Official CE rules

Reciprocity

Reciprocal licensing is available for producers licensed in good standing in their home state. The exam requirement is waived.

The TPG perspective

Selling Insurance in New York

What the New York insurance market actually looks like for new agents, from a remote-first agency that writes business here every week.

New York is a regulated market with strict suitability rules, which works in a trained agent's favor: prospects expect professional, compliant presentations, and the carriers we represent are built for that bar. A New York Life Producer license covers final expense, term, and whole life statewide.

TPG New York agents work AI-powered leads across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Capital Region, Buffalo, and Rochester. We focus on telesales, which fits the state well because in-home appointments across the five boroughs are slow and expensive. Compliance training, replacement rules, and Regulation 60 paperwork are covered in onboarding so you don't learn them by getting a chargeback.

Ready to start writing business in New York?

New York Licensing FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions about getting licensed in New York.

Why agents choose The Price Group

Once you are licensed, the next decision is who you go to market with. The Price Group is built for life insurance agents who want a real system, not an MLM.