New York Life, Accident and Health Agent/Broker Exam Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide
A real reference for anyone preparing for the New York Life, Accident and Health Insurance Agent/Broker Exam (Series 17-55, DFS) exam — pass rate, retake policy, how it's scored, and a practical study timeline. This is independent reference content, not a sales page: everything below is sourced from New York Life, Accident and Health Agent/Broker Exam's own certifying body.
What the New York Life, Accident and Health Agent/Broker Exam exam is
The New York Life, Accident and Health agent/broker exam (series 17-55) is the written examination required for the Life, Accident and Health Insurance Agent/Broker license in New York. It has 150 questions and a 150 minutes time allowance, and it is administered under the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS); examination administered by PSI Services LLC.
Why it matters
A New York insurance license is required by state law to sell or solicit the covered lines of insurance. Passing the written exam is a required step before the department issues the license.
Who this exam is for
People preparing to become licensed insurance agents in New York and candidates retaking the exam. Prelicensing education and application requirements are set by the state; check them before you schedule.
Pass rate
The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.
If you don't pass — retake policy
If you do not pass you may reschedule through PSI and pay the examination fee again; the PSI candidate bulletin and the DFS give the current retake rules.
How it's scored
Passing standard: New York DFS requires you to answer 70 percent of the questions correctly; on the combined 17-55 exam, 105 of 150 correct answers are needed. The exam has 150 questions with 150 minutes. No official pass rate for this exam was available in the sources we reviewed, so none is quoted here.
Format at a glance
The exam has 150 questions with 150 minutes. Format: 150 questions · 150 minutes · 105 correct answers (70%) required to pass · series 17-55. Passing standard: New York DFS requires you to answer 70 percent of the questions correctly; on the combined 17-55 exam, 105 of 150 correct answers are needed.
- Insurance Regulation7%
- General Insurance4%
- Life Insurance Basics8%
- Life Insurance Policies8%
- Life Insurance Policy Provisions, Options, and Riders10%
- Annuities7%
- Federal Tax Considerations for Life Insurance and Annuities2%
- Qualified Plans2%
- Life Settlement3%
- Accident and Health Insurance Basics5%
- Individual Health Insurance Policy General Provisions4%
- Disability Income and Related Insurance6%
- Medical Plans6%
- Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act6%
- Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance6%
- Group Health and Blanket Insurance5%
- Government Insurance Plans5%
- Private Insurance for Senior Citizens and Special Needs Individuals6%
Full eligibility requirements and everything the New York Life, Accident and Health Agent/Broker Exam study portal includes is on the New York Life, Accident and Health Agent/Broker Exam product page.
What each domain actually tests
The content outline spreads questions across 18 areas: Insurance Regulation (7.0%); General Insurance (4.0%); Life Insurance Basics (8.0%); Life Insurance Policies (8.0%); Life Insurance Policy Provisions, Options, and Riders (10.0%); Annuities (7.0%); Federal Tax Considerations for Life Insurance and Annuities (2.0%); Qualified Plans (2.0%); Life Settlement (3.0%); Accident and Health Insurance Basics (5.0%); Individual Health Insurance Policy General Provisions (4.0%); Disability Income and Related Insurance (6.0%); Medical Plans (6.0%); Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (6.0%); Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance (6.0%); Group Health and Blanket Insurance (5.0%); Government Insurance Plans (5.0%); Private Insurance for Senior Citizens and Special Needs Individuals (6.0%).
Eligibility requirements, in full
New York requires prelicensing education (unless exempt) and an application through the DFS; PSI administers the exam and issues the candidate bulletin. Confirm the current requirements with the DFS.
What it actually costs
US$40 for the Life/Accident and Health Insurance Agent/Broker examination (NY DFS). License application fees, fingerprinting, prelicensing education and continuing education are separate.
Keeping the credential — maintenance & recertification
After you are licensed, New York requires periodic license renewal and continuing education on the department's schedule; check the department for the current hours and deadlines.
How to actually prepare
Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: Life Insurance Policy Provisions, Options, and Riders (10.0%); Life Insurance Basics (8.0%); Life Insurance Policies (8.0%). Then work through the remaining areas, practise state-specific statutes and rules separately from the general content, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 150 questions in 150 minutes.
What's changing (2026)
Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the materials listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check the department and test administrator before you register.
Want a full practice question bank built around this exact format?
See the New York Life, Accident and Health Agent/Broker Exam study portal