New York Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Agent/Broker Examination — Series 17-55 — exam facts

DFS states the licensing exam is administered by PSI Services. PSI's bulletin offers two formats: a PSI test center or a remote online proctored exam, in which breaks are not allowed. DFS requires a Department-approved pre-licensing course of at least 40 hours for the life, accident & health authority, and the exam must have been passed within 2 years of applying for the licence.

Source: New York State Department of Financial Services — Life, Accident & Health Agent and Broker Licensing (2026-09-22)

One combined exam; the Series 17-55 outline states "150 items". The bulletin adds that a small number (5 to 10) of unscored experimental questions may be administered in addition to the items in the outline. New York law is tested inside the outline's sections rather than as a separate state portion.

Source: PSI Services — New York Department of Financial Services Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/28/2023) (2026-09-22)

The bulletin states a 2.5-hour time limit, which is exactly 150 minutes; PSI's test list gives the exam a 150-minute duration. The on-screen tutorial of up to 15 minutes does not count toward exam time.

Source: PSI Services — New York Department of Financial Services Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/28/2023) (2026-09-22)

The bulletin states: "You must get 70% correct to pass the examination." The score is shown on screen at the end and a score report is emailed. A new appointment cannot be made on the same day as a failed exam; the bulletin's example is a candidate who fails on a Wednesday calling on Thursday to retest as soon as Friday, subject to space.

Source: PSI Services — New York Department of Financial Services Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/28/2023) (2026-09-22)

• $40 — Examination fee (PSI Services LLC, per attempt) Source
• $80 — Licence fee, New York resident (full fee, licence period over one year) (New York State Department of Financial Services, every two years) Source

The $40 exam fee is printed in the bulletin and matches PSI's current test list, which also lists a $40 retake fee. Exam fees are not refundable or transferable and are forfeited if the candidate does not test within 1 year. DFS issues licences for up to 2 years and charges residents the $80 full fee, or a $40 half fee when the licence period is one year or less; the bulletin's rate of $40 per year for a Life/Accident & Health agent or broker is consistent with this.

Source: PSI Services — New York Department of Financial Services Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/28/2023) (2026-09-22)

PSI's current New York test list offers the Series 17-55 exam in English and a separate Spanish form, each with a 150-minute duration. The 2023 bulletin does not mention the Spanish form. Candidates taking the English version whose primary language is not English may request an ESL accommodation.

Source: PSI Services — New York State Department of Financial Services test list (NY insurance exams) (2026-09-22)