How much does it cost to take the NY-LH exam?

The exam fee ranges from $33 to $40 per attempt. Keep in mind this does not include separate application or state licensing fees charged by the DFS.

How long should I study for the NY Life & Health exam?

We recommend approximately 40 hours of dedicated study time. A significant portion of this time—about 10 hours—should be devoted to New York-specific general insurance regulations.

How is the New York Life & Health test administered?

The test is delivered via computer-based testing at PSI test centers, or candidates may choose to take it remotely via online proctoring.

What format are the exam questions?

The exam consists entirely of multiple-choice questions assessing your knowledge of both national insurance concepts and New York state-specific laws.

Does the exam syllabus cover New York state-specific laws?

Yes, heavily. While the first portions of the exam cover nationally uniform core knowledge, approximately 25% of the exam tests specific New York regulations, including producer licensing, DFS authority, and state health insurance mandates.

← Insurance Licensing

NY-LH · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026

New York Life & Health Insurance License Exam

Exam-aligned study paths covering the national Life & Health insurance core plus New York insurance law - New York Department of Financial Services rules, licensing, and state-specific requirements - in retention-first 15-minute topics.

Start studying free see the outline ↓

Passing score: 70%
Cost: $33 to $40 exam fee per attempt (plus application/licensing fees)
Format: Multiple-choice
Delivery: Computer-based testing at PSI test centers or via online proctoring
Prep time: ~41 hours

Exam overview

The New York Life & Health Insurance License Exam (NY-LH) evaluates a candidate's readiness to sell, solicit, and negotiate life and health insurance products in New York State. This crucial assessment blends a nationally uniform core of general insurance knowledge with state-specific regulations enforced by the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS). Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in policy types, rider mechanics, underwriting ethics, and strict compliance with New York's insurance code. Preparing for the exam requires mastering complex contractual nuances alongside New York's marketing and continuing education standards. To help you structure your preparation efficiently, Only Ever maps every domain in this syllabus to focused, 15-minute study topics. This approach allows you to break down intricate subjects—such as Medicare rules, taxation, and state-mandated benefits—into bite-sized, manageable sessions.

Exam domains & weighting

Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.

How to study this domain

Focus on the defining characteristics and differences between term, whole, and flexible life policies. Create comparison charts to memorize how cash values and premiums function across universal, variable, and indexed plans, as well as the payout options for annuities.

Key objectives

Traditional Whole Life Products
Interest, Market-Sensitive, and Adjustable Life
Term Life Insurance
Annuities
Combination Plans and Variations

Study this domain

Readiness self-check

Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.

Readiness

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Types of Policies

Review

Can you explain the primary differences between variable universal life and traditional whole life insurance?
Are you able to identify the typical payout options available during the annuitization phase of an annuity contract?

Policy Riders, Provisions, Options, and Exclusions

Review

Do you know how the incontestability clause affects an insurer's ability to cancel a policy due to misrepresentation?
Can you distinguish between nonforfeiture options and dividend options in a whole life policy?

Completing the Application, Underwriting, and Delivering the Policy

Review

What are an agent's responsibilities if a life insurance application is submitted incomplete?
Can you name the four essential elements that make an insurance contract legally binding?

Retirement and Other Insurance Concepts

Review

How does the federal tax treatment of an individual life insurance death benefit differ from the taxation of cash value accumulation?
Can you describe the primary purpose of a key person life insurance policy?

Types of Accident & Health Policies

Review

What distinguishes a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) from a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)?
How do Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) work in conjunction with High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs)?

Health Policy Provisions, Clauses, and Riders

Review

Can you name three mandatory uniform provisions required in individual health policies?

Social Insurance

Review

Do you understand the difference in coverage between Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B?

Other Health Insurance Concepts

Review

Can you define residual disability and explain how its benefit is typically calculated?
How does the coordination of benefits provision function when a person is covered under two group health plans?

Field Underwriting Procedures

Review

What are the privacy requirements governed by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act regarding consumer medical information?

General Insurance Regulation

Review

Can you list the actions that constitute 'twisting' and 'churning' under New York's unfair trade practices regulations?
What are the continuing education and license renewal requirements for a producer appointed in New York State?
Are you familiar with the limitations and protections provided by the Life Insurance Company Guaranty Corporation of New York?

Quick reference

Key Insurance Acronyms

Common abbreviations you must know for both the national and state portions of the exam.

DFS: Department of Financial Services (New York's regulatory body)
NAIC: National Association of Insurance Commissioners
HMO: Health Maintenance Organization
PPO: Preferred Provider Organization
HDHP: High Deductible Health Plan
HSA: Health Savings Account
HRA: Health Reimbursement Account
LTC: Long-Term Care
AD&D: Accidental Death and Dismemberment
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act

Essential Terminology

Core legal and regulatory concepts frequently tested.

Twisting

An unfair trade practice involving misrepresentation to induce a policyowner to drop an existing policy in favor of a new one.

Subrogation

The legal process where an insurer, after paying a claim, seeks recovery of the amount paid from a third party who caused the loss.

Consideration

An essential element of a contract; for the insured, it is the payment of premium and representations in the application.

Aleatory Contract

A contract where there is an unequal exchange of value. The premiums paid are typically much less than the potential death benefit.

Nonforfeiture Options

Guarantees in a life policy ensuring the policyowner does not lose their cash value if the policy lapses due to nonpayment.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know

The exam is constructed by merging nationally uniform (NAIC model) general knowledge with New York State-specific 'deltas' concerning local laws and regulations.
Federal privacy, consumer protection, and fraud laws (like GLBA, FCRA, USA PATRIOT Act) are integrated into both the underwriting and regulation domains.

Reading isn’t remembering.

New York Life & Health prep blends nationally-uniform insurance concepts with New York-specific law, and most materials muddle the two.

Only Ever teaches the shared national Life & Health core once, then layers New York insurance law - regulation, licensing, unfair practices, guaranty protection, and state-specific rules - as focused 15-minute topics.

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