How to Renew Your New York Insurance Agent License

Who has to renew

This guide covers New York insurance agents holding a license in one of these classes: Dual Major-Line CE — Life/Health AND P&C (no NFIP sales), Continuing education for certain insurance licenses, Single-Line CE — Life only, Health only, or P&C only (no NFIP sales), Single-Line P&C CE — P&C only, licensed to sell P&C lines (no NFIP sales), Single-Line P&C CE — P&C licensed to sell flood insurance through NFIP. Requirements are set by New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS). Hours differ by class — 30 hours for Dual Major-Line CE — Life/Health AND P&C (no NFIP sales); 15 hours for Continuing education for certain insurance licenses, Single-Line CE — Life only, Health only, or P&C only (no NFIP sales), Single-Line P&C CE — P&C only, licensed to sell P&C lines (no NFIP sales), Single-Line P&C CE — P&C licensed to sell flood insurance through NFIP.

When to renew

New York insurance agents licenses renew every 2 years, on the schedule your board assigns to your license. Continuing education must be complete before you submit the renewal. (NY Insurance Law §2132; license renews on licensee's date of birth every 2 years (biennial licensing period keyed to individual effective date))

The continuing education New York requires

New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) requires 15 hours of approved continuing education every 2 years. The hours must cover these topics:

• Insurance Law — at least 1 hour
• Ethics and Professionalism — at least 1 hour
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias — at least 1 hour
• Elective — Insurance-related topics approved for licensee's line of authority — at least 12 hours
• Flood Insurance (Basic) — at least 1 hour
• Elective — P&C-approved insurance topics — at least 11 hours
• Enhanced Flood Insurance (NFIP) — at least 3 hours
• P&C Line — approved courses — at least 13 hours
• Life/Health Line — approved courses — at least 14 hours

How to renew, step by step

1. 1

   Confirm your license class and renewal date

   New York sets insurance agents requirements by license class (Dual Major-Line CE — Life/Health AND P&C (no NFIP sales), Continuing education for certain insurance licenses, Single-Line CE — Life only, Health only, or P&C only (no NFIP sales), Single-Line P&C CE — P&C only, licensed to sell P&C lines (no NFIP sales), Single-Line P&C CE — P&C licensed to sell flood insurance through NFIP). Check the class printed on your license, then note your renewal date — renewals run the schedule your board assigns to your license.

2. 2

   Complete 15 hours of board-approved continuing education

   New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) requires 15 hours every 2 years, including Insurance Law, Ethics and Professionalism, Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias, Elective — Insurance-related topics approved for licensee's line of authority and other required topics. Do not leave it for the last week — completions must be on file before the deadline.

   See the New York insurance agents course
3. 3

   Save your certificate of completion

   Download the certificate the moment you finish and keep it with your license records.

4. 4

   Make sure your hours reach the board

   In New York, completions are submitted through the board’s online licensing portal. You can confirm your hours are on file in the reporting system linked below.

   Check your hours on file
5. 5

   Renew with New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS)

   Submit your renewal and pay the renewal fee before the deadline. This renewal also requires passing an exam. A late renewal usually means a late fee, and a lapsed license can mean re-applying from scratch.

   Go to New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS)

New York insurance agent renewal FAQ

How many continuing education hours do New York insurance agents need?

New York insurance agents must complete 15 hours of board-approved continuing education every 2 years, as set by New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS).

Which license types have different CE requirements in New York?

Requirements differ by license class in New York: 30 hours for Dual Major-Line CE — Life/Health AND P&C (no NFIP sales); 15 hours for Continuing education for certain insurance licenses, Single-Line CE — Life only, Health only, or P&C only (no NFIP sales), Single-Line P&C CE — P&C only, licensed to sell P&C lines (no NFIP sales), Single-Line P&C CE — P&C licensed to sell flood insurance through NFIP.

What topics are required for New York insurance agents continuing education?

New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) requires coverage of: Insurance Law (1 hour); Ethics and Professionalism (1 hour); Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias (1 hour); Elective — Insurance-related topics approved for licensee's line of authority (12 hours); Flood Insurance (Basic) (1 hour); Elective — P&C-approved insurance topics (11 hours); Enhanced Flood Insurance (NFIP) (3 hours); P&C Line — approved courses (13 hours); Life/Health Line — approved courses (14 hours).

Is an exam required to renew a New York insurance agents license?

Yes — New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) requires an examination as part of renewal in addition to continuing education.

How are completed CE hours reported to New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS)?

Completed hours are reported through the board's online portal. You also receive a certificate of completion for your records.

Can New York insurance agents complete continuing education online?

Yes. Board-approved online courses count toward the New York requirement; timed seat-time and completion records satisfy audit requirements.

Sources

• New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) — official board site
• Continuing education rule — the requirement cited above, verified September 10, 2026
• New York Insurance Agents continuing education requirements — hours, topics and courses by license class