Title Insurance Agent Licensing

A Title Agent is an authorized or acknowledged agent of a title insurance corporation, and any subagent or other representative of such an agent, who for commission, compensation, or any other thing of value, performs the following acts in conjunction with the issuance of a title insurance policy:

• sells, or negotiates the sale of a title insurance policy,
• evaluates the insurability of title, based upon the performance or review of a title search, and
• performs one or more of the following functions:
  • Collects, remits or disburses title insurance premiums, escrows or other related funds;
  • Prepares, amends, marks up or delivers a title insurance commitment or certification of title for the purpose of the issuance of a title insurance policy by a title insurance corporation;
  • Prepares, amends or delivers a title insurance policy on behalf of a title insurance corporation; or
  • Negotiates the clearance of title exceptions, in connection with the issuance of a title insurance policy.

Prelicensing Requirements

To qualify for a license, the licensing candidate must:

• complete a Department-approved prelicensing education course totaling not less than 20 hours of instruction. Visit the Prelicensing Provider/Course List for course provider contact information.
• pass the licensing exam within 2 years of applying for the license. For more information, or to register for an exam, visit PSI Exams Online.

Exceptions from the prelicensing requirements

A candidate is exempt from the course and exam requirements if he/she is a New York licensed attorney in good standing with the New York State Office of Court Administration. You must submit a currently dated (within 90 days) Certificate of Good Standing with your application.

Name Prior Approval

Pursuant to Limited Liability Corporation Law section 204(f) and Business Corporation Law section 301(a)(5)(b), the use of certain words in a business entity's name is restricted. These names are NOT necessarily prohibited; however, an additional approval is required from this Department if the business entity's name includes one of the words listed on the New York Department of State Website. A business entity may have obtained this approval when it was formed. If so, attach a copy of the written approval with the application.

Application Requirements

Match the submission code numbers listed under the Resident or Non-Resident columns with the corresponding numbers on the Submission Requirements Chart to determine what must be submitted with the license application.

To become qualified to act as a title insurance agent if New York is NOT the applicant's declared home state (i.e., applicant is a non-resident) an individual or sublicensee must be currently licensed and in compliance in their declared home state. The license information MUST be included in the National Producer Database and if it is not, the applicant must submit a currently dated certification from the applicant's declared home state to the Department.

Documentation must be uploaded with the license application.

Renewal Period

Licenses are issued for up to 2 years. Individual/TBA licenses will be issued with an expiration date determined by the applicant’s date of birth:

• If born in an even numbered year, the license will expire on the birthday in an even numbered year.
• If born in an odd numbered year, the license will expire on the birthday in an odd numbered year.

Fees

Licensing fees are non-refundable. A full fee is charged when a license is issued for a licensing period of more than one year; a half fee is charged when a license is issued for a period of one year or less.

For New York residents the full fee is $80, half fee is $40.

• Non-Residents should refer to the Department's Application Fee Schedule to determine the fee for any application being filed with the Department.

Payment Options

Licensing fees can be paid by credit card, electronic funds transfer (e-check), or paper check. If paying by paper check, the application will remain pending until the Department receives and processes the check. Checks can be mailed to The Department of Financial Services, Attn: Licensing Bureau, One Commerce Plaza, Floor 20, Albany NY 12257.

There is a $20 fee for any e-check or paper check returned by the bank for insufficient funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

For additional information on the Title Insurance Agent license, visit our FAQ page.

Apply Online

To get started, visit NY LINX:

NY LINX

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• Application may be unavailable from 7:30am to 7:45am daily for scheduled maintenance.
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Check Status/Print License

The Department does not mail paper licenses. Use the Producer/Licensee Search application to determine if a license has been issued and to view the license number. Print the license as soon as it is issued.