New York insurance CSR license requirements
New York lets agencies delegate ministerial office tasks, but holds the licensee strictly accountable.
A CSR at a New York P&C agency who sells, solicits or negotiates insurance needs a Property and Casualty agent or broker license, or a personal lines license for personal lines work. Unlicensed salaried staff can handle ministerial tasks inside the office if they don't solicit outside it and aren't paid based on business volume. The licensee must train and supervise them and is responsible for their work.
New York licenses at a glance
| License | Represents | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Property and Casualty agent | The insurers that appoint the agent | CSRs and account managers at agencies |
| Property and Casualty broker | The insured; places with any authorized insurer | Brokerage staff |
| Personal lines | Non-commercial insurance for individuals and families | Personal lines CSRs |
What unlicensed staff can do in New York
- Agency staff: salaried employees working in the office who don't solicit or accept applications from the public outside it, and aren't paid commission tied to business volume.
- Delegation: a 2004 DFS opinion (04-12-03) says licensees may delegate in-office tasks unless an insurer restricts them. Tasks such as quoting a premium or taking a payment may be allowed when purely ministerial.
- Accountability: the licensee must train and supervise unlicensed staff and is strictly accountable for them.
- Pay: DFS opinion 07-05-07 says volume-based pay for unlicensed staff isn't allowed, even gift cards.
In practice: New York gives agencies more room for unlicensed office staff than many states, but only for ministerial work, on salary, under close supervision. Advice and negotiation need a licensed person.
Getting licensed in New York
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing course | At least 90 hours for P&C; at least 40 hours for personal lines |
| Exam | PSI Services; pass within 2 years of applying |
| Application fee | $80 |
| Continuing education | 15 credits per renewal, including ethics, Insurance Law, and diversity and bias; P&C adds 1 hour of flood |
Remote and out-of-state staff
A nonresident must hold a license in good standing in their home state for the same lines and applies through NIPR. The fee is the home state's fee plus any retaliatory fee.
Check a New York license
Use the DFS producer search, or check the person's NPN in NIPR.
Where Humai fits
Humai matches U.S.-licensed agents who hold New York licenses, checked in NIPR, to work in your AMS under your agency's name, so quoting, advice and renewals are handled by licensed people.
Questions agency owners ask
Does New York have a CSR insurance license?
No separate CSR license. Agency staff who need one typically hold a Property and Casualty agent or broker license, or a personal lines license.
What can unlicensed staff do at a New York agency?
Under Insurance Law § 2101 and DFS opinions, salaried employees working within the office who don't solicit or accept applications from the public outside it, and aren't paid based on business volume, can do ministerial tasks the licensee delegates. A 2004 DFS opinion says the licensee must train and supervise them and is strictly accountable for their work.
Can unlicensed staff in New York get bonuses based on sales?
DFS opinions say no: volume-based pay for unlicensed staff, even small rewards like gift cards, isn't allowed.
How many pre-licensing hours does New York require?
At least 90 hours for property and casualty, and at least 40 hours for personal lines, from a DFS-approved course.
Who runs the New York insurance exam?
PSI Services. The license application fee is $80.
How much CE do New York agents need?
15 credits per renewal, including 1 hour each of ethics, Insurance Law, and diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias. P&C licensees also need 1 hour on flood insurance.
Sources
- NY Insurance Law § 2102 (license required)
- NY DFS OGC opinion 04-12-03 (unlicensed customer service staff)
- NY DFS OGC opinion 07-05-07 (pay for unlicensed staff)
- NY DFS: Property and casualty agent and broker license
- NY DFS: Continuing education
- NY DFS: Nonresident licenses
Licensing rules differ by state. This article is general information, not legal advice. Check with your state's department of insurance.