Sue Ellen is the sister of a licensed New York insurance producer, Frank Gillespie.

New York allows the Department to issue a temporary insurance producer license when a licensed producer dies or becomes disabled, so that the producer’s business can continue operating while ownership is settled, policies are serviced, and clients are not disrupted. The temporary license is typically issued to a qualified person (often a spouse, family member, employee, or legal representative) to supervise and operate the agency for a limited time, even if that person is not otherwise licensed in the same lines.

Under New York licensing rules tested in producer education materials, the initial temporary license period is 6 months . This limited duration reflects that the temporary authority is meant to be short-term—long enough to arrange sale, transfer, or appointment of a properly licensed replacement—rather than a substitute for full licensure. Depending on circumstances and Department approval, extensions may be possible, but the question asks specifically for the initial validity period. Therefore, the correct period for the initial temporary license is 6 months .