PrepPass team · Verified against New York Department of Financial Services · How we review
Reviewed by John Zihao Zhang — California-Licensed Life Insurance Agent (CA Dept. of Insurance License #4396095 — verify)

How hard is the New York Life & Health Insurance exam?

Quick answer

The New York Life & Health Insurance exam is a serious, studiable test — its difficulty comes less from any single hard idea than from the breadth of material across 13 weighted content areas. You must score 70%, which leaves little room for guessing. Candidates who drill real practice questions by topic until they consistently clear the standard you need usually pass on the first try — PrepPass has 412+ free New York Life & Health Insurance practice questions with explanations.

How to make the New York Life & Health Insurance exam easier

The single best predictor of passing is practicing real questions until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 412+ free New York Life & Health Insurance practice questions with answer explanations and a full timed mock exam — no signup required.

Studying in order?

In the New York Life & Health Insurance Producer Exam guide: A KEY CONCEPT box, a Common Traps list and a Check Yourself set closing each of the 9 national chapters. Practice here stays free.

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The New York Life & Health Insurance exam at a glance

70%
to pass
13
content areas

The 13 content areas on the New York Life & Health Insurance exam

The exam is built from weighted content areas — focus your study time where the weight is. These weights are how PrepPass has organized the material; check the exam authority’s own outline for its published breakdown.

General Insurance Concepts10%
Life Insurance Basics12%
Life Insurance Policies13%
Life Policy Provisions, Riders, Options & Exclusions12%
Annuities10%
Life & Annuity Taxation and Uses8%
Health Insurance Basics10%
Health Policies13%
Health Policy Provisions, Clauses & Riders7%
Group Insurance, Social Insurance & Senior Products5%
New York Producer Licensing40%
New York Insurance Law35%
New York Ethics & Marketing25%

How the New York Life & Health Insurance exam is administered

New York State Department of Financial Services oversees licensing. The exam is delivered by PSI. Prelicensing education: 40 hours (combined life, accident & health) or 20 hours per single line. Confirm the current details with the official authority before you rely on them.

What is the pass rate, and can you retake it?

Wondering about pass rates and what happens if you don't pass the first time?

See New York Life & Health Insurancepass rate & retake rules →

Frequently asked questions

What score do you need to pass the New York Life & Health Insurance exam?+

You need to score 70% on the New York Life & Health Insurance exam.

Who regulates life & health insurance licensing in New York?+

The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) licenses life, accident & health agents and brokers. DFS uses PSI to administer the licensing examinations.

Does New York require prelicensing education for the life & health exam?+

Yes. New York requires a Department-approved prelicensing course of at least 40 hours for the combined life, accident & health authority, or 20 hours for a single line.

How many exams does New York offer for life & health?+

New York does not use one combined 'Life & Health' exam by default; most candidates take the combined 17-55 exam, while separate life-only and accident & health-only exams also exist. A score of at least 70% is required to pass, and the exam must be passed within two years of applying.

How should I study for the New York Life & Health Insurance exam?+

Focus your time on the heaviest content areas, then drill practice questions by topic until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 412+ free New York Life & Health Insurance practice questions with full explanations and a timed mock exam.

Last updated: August 2026

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