Insurance agents and brokers whose state licenses have expired can now apply for re-licensing online rather than go through the old paper system, the New York State Department of Financial Services announced last week.

Qualified agents and brokers will be able to apply online to become re-licensed. The online application will be available to property and casualty insurance agents and brokers, as well as life, accident and health insurance brokers and agents, life and general consultants and life settlement brokers, according to the Department of Financial Services.

New York residents whose original licenses have lapsed must have completed a re-licensing exam within the last two years “or hold another license within the same lines of authority” being applied for in the re-licensing application. Nonresidents have to be in good standing in their home states and currently licensed in the same lines of authority for which they are applying in New York.Superintendent Maria Vullo said in a statement that the department's “re-licensing process is now significantly more efficient compared to the old paper-based system. DFS will continue to modernize its processes to better serve consumers across New York state.”