How Do I Get an Insurance License in New York?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, you must now take your New York insurance pre-license education courses. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each combined line of insurance you wish to carry. Life, Accident, & Health (LA&H) and Property & Casualty (P&C) are a total of four lines, but the licenses and exams are presented at two combined lines. Once you have completed your exams, you are now ready to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have passed the exam for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check from the application will also be reviewed.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in New York?

You’ll need to first take and pass the New York Insurance Adjuster License exam. Depending on the lines of authority you wish to carry, you may need to take more than one exam. The State of New York requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. You must make your fingerprinting reservations through IdentoGO. When prompted to enter the code, use 1544S3. Appointments can be made on their website or by phone at (877) 472-6915. A bond in the amount of $1,000 must be submitted with your application. It must cover the licensing period from the date issued to the expiration date. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. The fee for an application is $100 for a full year while $50 for a half year. Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about sixty to ninety (60-90) days. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.

How do I renew my insurance license in New York?

In the state of New York, it is required that all resident individual licensees complete fifteen (15) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, you may renew your New York insurance license online by using the License Renewal application available through the <a href="https://myportal.dfs.ny.gov/">New York State Department of Financial Services Portal</a>. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process. A license must be renewed prior to its expiration date or it will expire. Additionally, continuing education is required to renew your license. These continuing education requirements must be completed prior to submitting your renewal application. Courses may be offered in a classroom setting, as a webinar or self-study. There is a fee of $80 per application to renew your license in the state of New York.

How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in New York?

Non-residents who hold valid licenses outside New York may apply through NIPR for a New York nonresident license. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process.

How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in New York?

New York is not reciprocal with any state. To become a licensed adjuster in New York you must take a state exam. Therefore your license is subject to all terms found in the New York resident adjuster license renewal. Resident adjuster renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. In New York, you are not required to complete hours of continuing education (CE) to upkeep your adjuster license. There is an $80 fee to renew your New York adjuster license. You can renew your New York adjuster license online through an application on the New York Insurance Department’s website.

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In New York?

New York adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. The expiration date of your license is set as the last day of your birth month. In New York, you are not required to complete hours of continuing education (CE) to upkeep your adjuster license. There is an $80 fee to renew your New York adjuster license. You can renew your New York adjuster license online through an application on the New York Insurance Department’s website. After you have completed your renewal application, the New York Insurance Department will email you to let you know that your license renewal has either been approved or to let you know if you need to supply additional documentation.

New York

state commissioner

Adrienne Harris

STATE email

licensing@dfs.ny.gov

STATE phone

(518) 474-6630

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

New York State Department of Financial Services

Visit State Website

Appointments & Terminations

Required to report appointments?

Yes

Permits Just-in-time (JIT) appointments?

Yes

Initial appointment deadlines

Within 15 days of contract execution or first business submission

Initial appointment deadline rule

JIT appointments permitted. Appointments must be submitted within 15 days of the date the agent/agency contract is executed or the first piece of business is submitted to the carrier

Can be processed via nipr?

Yes

Fees for appointing a resident agency or individual?

No fee

Fees for appointing a nonresident agency or individual?

No fee

Appoint agencies?

Yes

Agency appointment covers affiliated producers?

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

Appointment effective date can be specified?

Appointment effective date rule

Date is the date transaction is processed by the state.

State requires appointment renewal?

Yes

Appointment renewals via

Carriers can pay the invoice posted by the state on the NIPR portal.

Appointment renewal fee

No fees

Appointment Terminated if license expires?

Yes

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Termination date can be specified by carrier?

Termination Effective date rule

Required (but ignored) and is the date transaction is processed by the state. Must not be in the future

Termination notes

After initial renewal period, a producer must have an appointment or won’t be eligible for renewal

Termination fee

No fee

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident Property and Casualty Broker (duration is less than 1 year) $40, Resident Property and Casualty Broker (duration is greater than 1 year) $80, Resident Life/Accident & Health Broker (duration is less than 1 year) $40, Resident Life/Accident & Health Broker (duration is greater than 1 year) $80, Resident Life/Accident & Health Agent (duration is less than 1 year) $40, Resident Life/Accident & Health Agent (duration is greater than 1 year) $80, Resident Property and Casualty Agent (duration is less than 1 year) $40, Resident Property and Casualty Agent (duration is greater than 1 year) $80. If CE is required, an additional $10 fee is charged at the license level. New York doesn't charge an applicant to add a line of authority to an existing active license. Resident Excess Lines: $50 (county population of less than 100,000/Issued for greater than one year) Resident Excess Lines: $400 (county population of over 100,000/Issued for greater than one year) Nonresident Excess Lines: $25 (county population of less than 100,000/Issued for less than one year) Nonresident Excess Lines: $200 (county population of more than 100,000/Issued for less than one year) Nonresident New Producer License fee varies by Resident State.

License renewal fee

Resident Renewal Property and Casualty Broker $80, Resident Renewal Life/Accident & Health Broker $80, Resident Renewal Life/Accident & Health Agent $80, Resident Renewal Property and Casualty Agent $80 If CE is required, an additional $10 fee is charged at the license level. If the renewal is submitted within 60 days of license expiration date, then an additional $10 fee is assessed. Nonresident Renewal Fee varies by Resident State. Resident Renewal Excess Lines: $50 Non-Resident Renewal Excess Lines: $400

When does the resident individual producer license renewal period begin?

180 days before expiration

What is the resident individual producer license renewal date?

Birth date every 2 years based on year of birth

Late renewal or reinstatement period for resident individual producer license?

Applicants are exempt from exams if submitting within two years of a license expiration date

When does the nonresident individual producer license renewal period begin?

180 days before expiration

What is the nonresident individual producer license renewal date?

Birth date every 2 years based on year of birth

Late renewal or reinstatement period for nonresident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to 60 days after expiration with a $10 late fee

Can a producer use a P.O. Box in their resident or business address?

Are individuals required to list their county as part of the address?

Yes

What addresses are required for individual license maintenance?

Residence, Business, and Mailing

State individual licenses include

Property and Casualty Broker, Life/Accident & Health Broker, Property and Casualty Agent, Life/Accident & Health Agent, Excess Line, Title Insurance Agent, Life Consultant, General Consultant, Limited Rental, Life Settlement Broker, Bail Bondsman, Service Contract Registration, Independent Adjuster, Life Settlement Provider, Public Adjuster, Life Broker, Sublicensee, Reinsurance Intermediary, Viatical Broker

Appointment Terminated if license expires?

Yes

State broker license rule

Resident A license is required to act as a broker in New York. A license grants authority for all lines of authority except bail bond, life insurance, variable life, and variable annuity products. Nonresident may obtain a license to act as a broker in New York. A license grants authority for all lines of authority except bail bond, life insurance, variable life, and variable annuity products. NY allows carriers the option of appointing brokers but does not require them to be appointed.

Requires pre licensing courses?

Yes

Study method requirements

Classroom or online The Department eliminated the requirement that a monitor be present to complete producer CE and pre-licensing course exams.

Submission of completion certificate rule

The certificate must be presented to the exam administrator and must be filed with the application.

How long is the pre licensing certification valid?

No expiration

Exemptions to pre licensing requirements

An applicant is exempt from pre-license education if the applicant: a. is applying for a life agent or life settlement broker license and holds 1 of the following designations: I. Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU); or II. Chartered Life Underwriter Associate (CLUA); b. is applying for a life broker license and holds 1 of the following designations: I. Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU); II. Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC); or III. Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS); or c. is applying for a property/casualty agent or broker license and holds a CPCU designation.

Fingerprints Required?

Not Required

Where to apply for resident license?

State portal only

What Transactions are Retaliatory Fees Applied to?

Resident Licensing

What Determines the Retaliatory Fee?

Producer Home State

Submit Partial License Renewals through NIPR?

Has Personal Lines LOA?

Yes

Deadline to report personal data changes (address, name change, phone number, etc.)

A licensee must give notice to the Superintendent within 30 days of a change of address. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Agency

Can a sole proprietor be licensed as an entity?

Optional

DRLP must have active state license

Yes

DRLPs must cumulatively cover all LOAs in application

Yes

Agency Licensing renewals

Businesses renew June 30 in odd years. Renewal starts 120 days prior to license expiration date until expiration date. No late renewal.

Agency License required?

Yes

Affiliations: Indicates if producers selling on behalf of/through an entity must be formally affiliated with that entity and if the entity must notify the department of changes

Only officers/directors/partners/members are affiliated.

Branch office

License not required but branch must be registered

Adjuster

Requires adjuster license?

Yes

Offers designated home state?

DHS exam required?

N/A

Reciprocity states

AK, AR, AZ, CT, GA, ID, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, NH, NM, NV, SC, UT, VT

Which states require an exam for reciprocity?

AL, CA, DE, FL, IN, OK, OR, PR, RI, TX, WA, WV, WY

Independent adjuster LOAS

Independent Adjuster

Independent adjuster fees

Licensing Fee (More than one year): $100 Licensing Fee (Less than one year): $50

Independent adjuster exam required?

Yes

Independent adjuster renewal date

Biennially, on Dec. 31st on even numbered years.

Emergency adjuster details

A temporary permit for 120 days max can be issued to a resident or non resident adjuster to act as an independent adjuster on behalf of an authorized insurer for claims related to the emergency.

Continuing Education

Total hours per renewal period

15-30

Renewal period

2 years

License renewal date is

Birth date

License renewal year based on...

Year of birth

When is the CE due?

Prior to license expiration.

How long before expiration does state send CE reminder?

180 days prior to expiration date.

Exemptions to CE

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

A license in expired status can be reinstated by submitting a relicensing application. If the license has been expired for less than 2 years, you must meet all Continuing Education (CE) requirements to relicense. If the license has been expired for more than 2 years, you must re-qualify for the license.

Ethics requirements

1 hour ethics, 1 hour insurance law

Flood-specific CE requirements

3 hours of NFIP course

LTC-specific CE requirements

Onetime 6-hour course

For more from agentsync

https://agentsync.io/blog/individual-producers/insurance-continuing-education-new-york

Regulatory Updates

The National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) Issues a Flier Announcing Additional Licensing through NIPR for New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) for Brokers and Agents

The National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) Issues a Flier Announcing Additional Licensing through NIPR for New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) for Brokers and Agents. NIPR is now processing NY Resident and Non Resident Licensing and Renewals for all major lines / core limited lines license offerings for Individuals. Additionally, NIPR also plans to expand NYDFS business entity licensing services, please see attached flier for more detailed information.

New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Updates Appointments Backdating Rule

Effective December 21, 2023, New York will not allow appointments to be backdated and will ignore any submissions with a backdate. Appointment Issue date will be the system date.

P&C Surplus Lines Licenses and Premium Tax – NY

On November 2, 2023, New York DFS published license fees and terms for firms and individuals. **For Resident Individuals** For information regarding excess line broker licensure and links to forms, go to: [`https://on.ny.gov/31RTgdl`](https://on.ny.gov/31RTgdl) a. If the individual already holds a property/casualty broker license, click on "Manage Your License" then "Add-A-line". b. If the individual does not yet hold a property/casualty broker license, click on "Apply for Your License" then "Individual Original/TBA License Application". c. Initial and renewal license applications must be submitted electronically through the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Portal. **For Resident Firms** Initial entity license applications or applications to add a sublicensee to the license can be submitted either electronically through the DFS Portal or by mailing a paper application to the Department. a. Click on "Apply for Your License" then "Entity Original Application" for a link to the DFS Portal. b. Email licensing.applications@dfs.ny.gov for the paper application. 7\. License renewals must be submitted electronically through the DFS Portal. **For Non Resident Individuals** 6\. License renewals must be submitted electronically through the DFS Portal. **For Non Resident Firms** 5\. Initial entity license applications or applications to add a sublicensee to the license can be submitted either electronically through the DFS Portal or by mailing a paper application to the Department. a. Click on "Apply for Your License" then "Entity Original Application" for a link to the DFS Portal. b. Email licensing.applications@dfs.ny.gov for the paper application. 6\. License renewals must be submitted electronically through the DFS Portal.

New York Will Begin Loading Continuing Education (CE) Compliance Data to the Producer Database (PDB)

Effective October 13, 2023, New York will begin loading Continuing Education (CE) compliance data to the Producer Database (PDB). The current value loaded to the CE compliance field on PDB does not accurately capture the licensee’s CE compliance status. With these changes, the licensee’s current CE compliance status for New York will be loaded to the PDB report. Note: The compliance indicator on PDB will only include general CE compliance. Certain license classes require ‘Flood’ courses, but PDB will only display the general compliance status.

NY Changing License Class Codes

Effective August 11, 2023, New York will be changing the following License Class Codes: License Class 2 Broker will be License Class 13233 Property and Casualty Broker License Class 622 Life Broker will be License Class 13253 Life/Accident & Health Broker License Class 167 Property/Casualty Agent will be License Class 13254 Property/Casualty Agent License Class 135 Life/Accident & Health will be License Class 13255 Life/Accident & Health Agent

New York Issues Statement Regarding Proposed Amendment to Excess Line Placements

On June 23, 2023, New York issued a statement regarding a proposed amendment to Excess Line Placements. See attachment for full details.

New York Proposes Second Amendment to Cybersecurity Requirements

New York proposes Second Amendment to Cybersecurity requirements for financial services companies. See attachment for full details.

New York Proposes Excess Line Placements Governing Standard Changes

New York proposes Excess Line placements governing standard changes. See attachment for full details.

New York proposes amendments to its Cybersecurity Requirements

New York proposes amendments to its Cybersecurity requirements for financial services companies. See attachment for full details.

New York Proposes Changes to its Excess Line Placement Standards

New York proposes changes to its Excess Line placement standards. See attachment for full details.

New York to Remove Non-Uniform Question

Effective March 10th, 2023, New York removed the Non-Uniform Background Question previously added on January 13, 2023.

New York Excess Line Association Eliminates Parts of Excess Line Affidavits

Effective immediately the ELANY eliminates reporting elements from parts of excess line affidavits.

New York Adds Non Uniform Question for Individuals and Business Entities

~~Effective January 13th New York will be adding new non uniform questions for resident and non resident renewal applications. ~~ Effective March 10, 2023, New York removed the NUQ previously added.

NY Reduces Stamping Fee

New York's request to reduce the stamping fee to 0.15% has been approved and will take effect on all excess lines policies that begin on or after January 1, 2023.

New York Surplus Lines Association Updates List of E&S Insurers

Please see the attached document for NY(Elany's)updated list of E&S Insurers.

FAQs

How Do I Get an Insurance License in New York?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, you must now take your New York insurance pre-license education courses. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each combined line of insurance you wish to carry. Life, Accident, & Health (LA&H) and Property & Casualty (P&C) are a total of four lines, but the licenses and exams are presented at two combined lines.

Once you have completed your exams, you are now ready to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have passed the exam for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check from the application will also be reviewed.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in New York?

You’ll need to first take and pass the New York Insurance Adjuster License exam. Depending on the lines of authority you wish to carry, you may need to take more than one exam. The State of New York requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. You must make your fingerprinting reservations through IdentoGO. When prompted to enter the code, use 1544S3. Appointments can be made on their website or by phone at (877) 472-6915. A bond in the amount of $1,000 must be submitted with your application. It must cover the licensing period from the date issued to the expiration date. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license.

The fee for an application is $100 for a full year while $50 for a half year. Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about sixty to ninety (60-90) days. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.
How do I renew my insurance license in New York?

In the state of New York, it is required that all resident individual licensees complete fifteen (15) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, you may renew your New York insurance license online by using the License Renewal application available through the New York State Department of Financial Services Portal. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

A license must be renewed prior to its expiration date or it will expire. Additionally, continuing education is required to renew your license. These continuing education requirements must be completed prior to submitting your renewal application. Courses may be offered in a classroom setting, as a webinar or self-study.

There is a fee of $80 per application to renew your license in the state of New York.
How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in New York?
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in New York?

New York is not reciprocal with any state. To become a licensed adjuster in New York you must take a state exam. Therefore your license is subject to all terms found in the New York resident adjuster license renewal.

Resident adjuster renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. In New York, you are not required to complete hours of continuing education (CE) to upkeep your adjuster license.

There is an $80 fee to renew your New York adjuster license. You can renew your New York adjuster license online through an application on the New York Insurance Department’s website.
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In New York?

New York adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. The expiration date of your license is set as the last day of your birth month.

In New York, you are not required to complete hours of continuing education (CE) to upkeep your adjuster license.

There is an $80 fee to renew your New York adjuster license. You can renew your New York adjuster license online through an application on the New York Insurance Department’s website.

After you have completed your renewal application, the New York Insurance Department will email you to let you know that your license renewal has either been approved or to let you know if you need to supply additional documentation.