New York licenses property and casualty insurance agents through state exams, and passvana has a practice track for each one: New York Property and Casualty Insurance Agent/Broker Exam, New York Personal Lines Insurance Agent/Broker Exam (Series 17-54). Here is what each exam looks like, from the state's official exam documents.
New York Property and Casualty Insurance Agent/Broker Exam
- The exam: The New York Property and Casualty Insurance Agent/Broker examination, Series 17-56, developed for the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) and administered by PSI Services LLC. The same exam serves both the agent and the broker license. (PSI/NY DFS, Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin, Licensing Process; PSI/NY DFS, Examination Content Outline, Series 17-56 (Property and Casualty Agent/Broker))
- Questions and time: 150 questions in a 2.5-hour (150-minute) time limit. A computer tutorial of up to 15 minutes does not count against exam time. (PSI/NY DFS, Examination Content Outline, Series 17-56 (Property and Casualty Agent/Broker); PSI/NY DFS, Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin, Tutorial)
- Passing score: You must get 70% correct: 105 of 150 questions. The score shows on screen at the end and a score report is emailed; a failing report includes a diagnostic of strengths and weaknesses. (PSI/NY DFS, Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin, Score Reporting)
- Closed book: No reference materials, papers or study materials are allowed at the exam site. (PSI/NY DFS, Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin, Examination Content Outlines)
New York Personal Lines Insurance Agent/Broker Exam (Series 17-54)
- The exam: New York Personal Lines Insurance Agent/Broker Exam (Series 17-54), given by PSI for the state. The Personal Lines license covers insurance sold to individuals and families: homeowners, dwelling, personal auto, umbrella and the like, not commercial lines or workers' compensation. (PSI New York Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin, Series 17-54)
- Questions: 100 scored questions. (PSI New York Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin, Series 17-54)
- Time: 2 hours. (PSI New York Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin, Series 17-54)
- Passing score: 70% of questions correct (70 of 100). (PSI New York Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin, Series 17-54)
How to pass on your first try
- Know the standard policies section by section. Homeowners, personal auto and commercial coverages are tested as what each part of the policy covers, excludes and requires after a loss.
- Do not skip the state insurance code. Licensing, producer duties, ethics and cancellation rules are specific to New York and scored like the rest of the exam.
- Learn notice periods and limits as numbers. Cancellation and nonrenewal notice periods and minimum limits come up as exact figures.
- Take full timed mock exams before test day, so the length and pace of the real exam hold no surprises.
Free practice questions
Each track page has free sample questions and a topic breakdown matched to the official outline: New York Property and Casualty Insurance Agent/Broker Exam, New York Personal Lines Insurance Agent/Broker Exam (Series 17-54). The Resources tab on each track also has quick-reference tables built from checked facts; see what is in the New York Property & Casualty Insurance Key Facts Digest.