New York Life & Health Insurance License Practice Exam
100 practice questions covering national life & health concepts and New York-specific regulations.
About the New York Life & Health Insurance Exam
The New York Life and Health insurance producer exam is required by the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) before selling life insurance, health insurance, annuities, disability, or long-term care products in New York. New York has some of the strongest insurance consumer protections in the country, including guaranteed issue health coverage, community rating requirements, and specific rules around replacement of life insurance and annuities.
The exam contains 150 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit and a 70% passing score — you need 105 correct answers. It is administered by PSI Exams on behalf of the NY DFS. Before sitting, you must complete 40 hours of DFS-approved pre-license education. The exam covers national insurance content plus New York-specific requirements under the New York Insurance Law.
New York L&H Insurance Exam Topic Breakdown
| Section | Approx. Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Life Insurance | ~28% | Term, whole life, universal life, variable life; NY policy provisions; grace period |
| Health Insurance | ~22% | Individual and group health; HMO Article 44; guaranteed issue; community rating |
| Annuities | ~15% | Fixed, variable, indexed; NY suitability rules; replacement regulations |
| New York Insurance Law | ~22% | NY DFS authority, producer licensing, unfair practices, replacement rules |
| Federal Regulations | ~13% | ACA, ERISA, Medicare, HIPAA, COBRA |
Sample New York L&H Insurance Exam Questions
1. Under New York Insurance Law, the free-look period for a life insurance policy delivered in New York is:
2. New York's community rating requirements for individual and small group health insurance mean that:
3. Under New York's replacement regulations for life insurance, when a producer recommends replacing an existing policy, the producer must provide the applicant with a free-look period of:
Study Tips for the New York L&H Insurance Exam
New York's replacement regulations are among the most protective in the country and are heavily tested. Know the 60-day free-look period for replacement life insurance, the Notice Regarding Replacement form requirements, and the definition of replacement under New York law. Compare this with the standard 10-day free-look for new non-replacement policies.
New York's community rating and guaranteed issue requirements for health insurance are unique and frequently tested. Know the difference between New York's pure community rating (same premium for all) and the ACA's modified community rating (age variation up to 3:1). Also study the NY DFS's authority over producer licensing — grounds for license denial, suspension, and revocation under the New York Insurance Law are consistent exam topics.
The national exam content is covered in our national Life & Health practice exam. Getting both lines? See the New York P&C exam, and use the insurance license study guide for a full prep plan.
Frequently Asked Questions — New York L&H Insurance Exam
How many questions are on the New York Life & Health insurance exam?
The New York L&H exam contains 150 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. The passing score is 70%, meaning you need at least 105 correct answers. The exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the New York Department of Financial Services.
What pre-license education is required in New York for L&H insurance?
New York requires 40 hours of DFS-approved pre-license education for the Life and Health exam. The curriculum covers life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and New York insurance law. Courses can be completed online or in person through DFS-approved providers.
What is the free-look period for life insurance in New York?
New York provides a 10-day free-look period for standard life insurance policies. However, for replacement life insurance policies, New York provides a 60-day free-look period — the longest of any state and one of the strongest consumer protections in the country.
What is community rating in New York health insurance?
New York uses pure community rating for individual and small group health insurance, meaning all individuals in a rating area pay the same premium regardless of age, gender, or health status. This predates the ACA and is stricter than the federal standard, which allows age-based premium variation up to 3:1.
How long is a New York insurance producer license valid?
New York insurance producer licenses are valid for two years. Renewal requires 15 hours of continuing education (CE), including 3 hours of ethics. Licensees who hold multiple lines of authority must complete CE relevant to at least one line. Licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month.
What is the NY DFS and what authority does it have over insurance producers?
The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) regulates all insurance companies and producers doing business in New York. The DFS can deny, suspend, or revoke producer licenses for violations of the New York Insurance Law, including misrepresentation, fraud, twisting, rebating, and failure to meet licensing requirements. The DFS also has authority over insurer solvency and rate filings.
Does New York require a separate exam for life insurance and health insurance?
No. In New York, Life and Health insurance are combined into a single exam. Passing the combined exam qualifies you for both the Life (including variable products with a separate securities registration) and Accident and Health lines of authority. Variable life and variable annuity products also require FINRA registration (Series 6 or 7).