What's the Passing Score for the New York Insurance Exam?

If you're preparing to take a New York insurance licensing exam, one of the first things you'll want to know is exactly what score you need and what the test looks like. The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) sets the standards, and PSI ServicesCandidate.psiexams.com administers every insurance licensing exam in the state. Here's a clear breakdown of the format, passing requirements, and what to expect on test day.

What Score Do You Need to Pass the New York Insurance Exam?

You must correctly answer at least 70% of the scored questions to pass your New York insurance licensing exam. This applies across every line of authority, whether you're testing for Life, Accident and Health, Property and Casualty, or Personal Lines. Your score is based only on the number of questions you answer correctly — there's no penalty for guessing, so it's always in your best interest to answer every question.

It's worth noting that each exam also includes unscored "pretest" questions mixed in with the real ones. These pretest questions don't count toward your final score and won't be identified during the exam, so treat every question as though it matters. If you're looking for study strategiesPre License How To Study Insurance Licensing Exam Resources to help you hit that 70% threshold, building a consistent study schedule and using practice exams are two of the most effective approaches.

How Is the New York Insurance Exam Structured?

Every New York insurance exam is multiple choice and taken on a computer at a PSI testing center or via PSI's remote proctoring platform. Each exam is divided into two main sections: a national section covering general insurance principles and a state section focused on New York insurance laws, rules, and regulations.

The number of questions and time limits vary depending on the line of authority you're pursuing. According to the New York DFSAgents_and_brokers Home Apps_and_licensing, here's what the major exams look like:

Life, Accident, and Health Agent/Broker (Series 17-55): 150 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. This is the longest exam and covers life insurance basics, policy types, annuities, health insurance fundamentals, and New York-specific regulations.

Property and Casualty Agent/Broker: 150 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. Covers property insurance, casualty insurance, commercial lines, and New York state laws governing these products.

Personal Lines: 100 questions with a 2-hour time limit. Focuses on auto, homeowners, and personal umbrella policies along with state-specific rules.

Other specialty exams, such as those for Public Adjusters or Bail Bond agents, may have fewer questions — some as few as 40 — with proportionally shorter time limits. The exam fee is $40 per exam, payable when you schedule through PSI.

What Happens After You Finish the Exam?

You'll see your results on screen immediately after submitting your exam. If you pass, you'll receive a score report confirming your success along with a performance summary. If you don't pass, you'll get a diagnostic report that breaks down your strengths and weaknesses by exam section, which is genuinely helpful for targeting your study if you need to retake.

You can retake the exam after a 24-hour waiting period. There's no limit on retakes, but you'll pay the exam fee again each time. That's one reason investing in quality exam preparationPre License What To Expect On The New York Insurance Licensing Exam Resources upfront can save you both time and money.

What Can Slow Down the Licensing Process in New York?

• Scheduling delays at PSI testing centers, especially during peak months
• Not meeting the 70% threshold and needing to retake the exam
• Incomplete pre-licensing education before attempting the exam
• Failing to apply for your license within two years of passing
• Fingerprinting issues if your application isn't submitted within 10 days of your IdentoGO appointment

How Does New York's Exam Compare to Other States?

The 70% passing score is standard across most states. However, New York's exams tend to be on the longer side — 150 questions for major lines compared to 100–120 in many other states. Michigan, for example, requires different passing scores depending on the line (72% to 76%), while states like Oklahoma and Louisiana don't even require pre-licensing education before testing. New York's combination of mandatory pre-licensing hours and a comprehensive exam makes thorough preparation especially important.

If you're weighing your options or wondering what agents actually earn once they're licensed, our salary guidePre License What Could Your Insurance License Be Worth Resources breaks down realistic earning expectations by license type and experience level.

Tips for Passing the New York Insurance Exam on Your First Try

With a well-structured study plan, most candidates can feel confident walking into their exam. Focus your preparation on understanding concepts rather than memorizing isolated facts. The New York exam emphasizes application-based questions, meaning you'll need to know how insurance principles work in real scenarios — not just what they're called.

Pay special attention to New York-specific regulations, which make up a significant portion of the state section. Topics like the New York Insurance Law, free-look periods, and state-mandated coverages come up frequently. Practice exams that mirror the actual test format are one of the best tools available, and pairing those with a beginner-friendly overviewPre License Top 10 New York Insurance License Questions For Beginners Resources of the licensing process helps put everything in context.

Having a clear picture of what insurance agents actually doPre License What Does Insurance Agent Do Resources day to day can also keep you motivated throughout your study period. The exam is the gateway, but the career on the other side is what makes the effort worthwhile.