Insurance Exams11 min read

FREE New York Life & Health Insurance Exam Guide 2026: Complete Study Guide

Complete free New York Life, Accident & Health insurance exam prep guide for 2026. Covers exam format, NY-specific regulations, and free practice questions.

Ran Chen, EA, CFP®January 10, 2026

Key Facts

  • New York Life & Health exam has 150 questions with a 70% passing score requirement
  • Pre-licensing education requirement is 40 hours in New York
  • New York requires 15 hours of continuing education every 2 years
  • Regulation 187 requires agents to act in clients best interest for life and annuity sales
  • Exam fee is only $15—one of the lowest in the nation

New York Life, Accident & Health Insurance Exam Overview

The New York Life, Accident & Health Insurance License Exam is administered by Prometric on behalf of the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS). New York is one of the most regulated insurance markets in the country, making proper exam preparation essential.

New York's dense population and robust economy offer tremendous opportunities for licensed insurance professionals.

Exam Format at a Glance

ComponentDetails
Total Questions150 multiple-choice
Scored Questions150
Time Limit2 hours
Passing Score70% (105 correct answers)
Testing VendorPrometric
Exam Fee$15
Pre-licensing Education40 hours required

Why Get Licensed in New York?

  • Financial capital — NYC is a major insurance hub
  • High population density — Nearly 20 million potential clients
  • Premium market — Higher incomes mean larger policies
  • Corporate opportunities — Group insurance demand

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Our comprehensive, completely free New York exam prep covers everything you need.

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Key Topics Covered on the Exam

1. Life Insurance Products (30%)

Types of Life Insurance:

  • Term Life (yearly renewable, level, decreasing)
  • Whole Life (ordinary, limited pay, single premium)
  • Universal Life (Types A, B, and C)
  • Variable Life Insurance

New York-Specific Provisions:

ProvisionNY Requirement
Grace Period30 days (61 for industrial)
Incontestability2 years
Suicide Exclusion2 years (1 year for group)
Free Look Period10 days (60 for replacements)
Minimum Death BenefitYes, required

2. Accident & Health Insurance (30%)

Coverage Types:

  • Individual health insurance
  • Group health insurance
  • Disability income insurance
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Medicare supplement (Medigap)

New York Health Requirements:

  • NY State of Health (marketplace)
  • Essential Plan options
  • Child Health Plus
  • Medicaid Managed Care

3. Annuities (15%)

  • Fixed annuities
  • Variable annuities
  • Immediate vs. deferred
  • NY suitability standards
  • Best interest regulations

4. New York Insurance Law (15%)

Key NY Regulations:

  • NY Insurance Law Article 32 (agents)
  • Regulation 60 (replacements)
  • Regulation 187 (best interest)
  • DFS enforcement powers

Licensing Requirements:

  • Pre-licensing: 40 hours
  • CE: 15 hours every 2 years
  • Ethics training required
  • Background check

5. Ethics and General (10%)

  • Agent conduct standards
  • Unfair trade practices
  • Handling premiums
  • Record keeping
  • Complaint procedures

Study Timeline for Success

WeekFocus AreaHours
Week 1-2Life insurance products12-15
Week 2-3Accident & health coverage12-15
Week 3-4NY Insurance Law10-12
Week 4-5Annuities and ethics8-10
Week 5Practice exams10-12

Total recommended study time: 55-65 hours


🎯 Free Practice Questions Available

Practice with hundreds of free questions designed for the New York exam.

→ Access FREE NY Life & Health Practice Questions


New York-Specific Exam Tips

1. Master NY Regulations

New York is heavily regulated—know these key regulations:

  • Regulation 60 — Life insurance replacements
  • Regulation 187 — Best interest standard for annuities and life insurance
  • Regulation 194 — Producer compensation transparency

2. Know These New York Numbers

TopicNY Requirement
Free look (standard)10 days
Free look (replacement)60 days
Grace period30 days
Pre-licensing40 hours
CE requirement15 hours/2 years
Passing score70%

3. Understand Regulation 187

New York's best interest standard is stricter than suitability:

  • Must act in client's best interest
  • Applies to life insurance and annuities
  • Documentation requirements
  • Compensation disclosure

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Underestimating NY regulations — They're heavily tested
  2. Ignoring Regulation 187 — New and important
  3. Confusing free look periods — 10 days vs. 60 days
  4. Skipping NY State of Health — Know the marketplace
  5. Not reviewing replacement rules — Regulation 60 is key

After Passing Your Exam

  1. Apply through NIPR or DFS directly
  2. Complete fingerprinting — Required for all applicants
  3. Pay license fee — $40 initial fee
  4. Receive license — 2-4 weeks processing
  5. Appoint with carriers — Submit appointment applications

2026 New York Updates

For 2026, be aware of:

  • Enhanced Regulation 187 enforcement
  • Updated mental health parity requirements
  • New long-term care regulations
  • Modified marketplace rules

Start Your New York Insurance Career Today

New York offers one of the most sophisticated insurance markets. Pass your exam on the first try with our free prep materials.

→ Begin FREE New York Life & Health Exam Prep Now

Our free study materials include:

  • ✅ Complete topic coverage
  • ✅ Practice questions with explanations
  • ✅ NY Insurance Law summaries
  • ✅ Regulation 187 deep dive
  • ✅ AI-powered study assistance

Everything you need is 100% FREE.

Test Your Knowledge
Question 1 of 4

What is the free look period for replacement policies in New York?

A
10 days
B
30 days
C
45 days
D
60 days
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