In order to kickstart your career as a real estate agent in New York, it’s essential to obtain a New York Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.
For this reason, this How to Get a Real Estate License in New York article will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.
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In order to get your New York real estate license and start working in this industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:
In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.
Before continuing ahead with your application for a New York real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites:
Not all convictions will automatically result in the rejection of your application for a real estate license. In fact, under Article 23-A of the Correction Law, applications for licenses may not be denied purely on the basis of the individual’s previous convictions, unless:
Note: Don’t give up on your application just yet if you have a criminal record, as the State of New York generally tries to encourage the licensure of people with criminal records under its public policy.
In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for a New York real estate license.
In particular, you’ll be expected to complete at least 77 hours of qualifying education that has been approved by the New York Department of State — without this, you won’t be able to take the state’s real estate licensing exam.
Once you’ve completed all the requirements of a qualifying pre-licensing education course, your provider should give you a certificate of completion — be sure to hold onto it as you’ll need it for the next step of the licensing process.
At this stage, choosing the right course is essential; while completing one is mandatory, it would be a mistake to think of it as just “checking a box”. This is because this course is what will prepare you to both pass your exam and become a better real estate agent.
For this reason, we always encourage our readers to invest in high-quality and reliable courses, as their study materials (like real estate practice tests and flashcards) can be invaluable during the exam prep stage. On top of this, some of the top courses also offer money-back guarantees that you’ll pass the exam on your first attempt if you take their course.
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In New York, each licensed real estate agent is legally required to work under the supervision of a sponsoring broker — which is essentially a licensed broker that will hire you as an independent contractor and act as your mentor.
While the primary role of a sponsoring broker is to ensure that new agents abide by the relevant legal and ethical regulations while starting out, they are also an invaluable source of guidance and training that can help you to launch your real estate career.
We typically recommend starting to look for a sponsoring broker when you’re nearing the end of your pre-licensing education course. This is because you’ll need to be sponsored by an active broker before you apply for a real estate license, and don’t want your application to be delayed as you search for one.
Choosing your sponsoring broker is an important decision that requires some serious thought. Instead of jumping on the first offer you receive, try to weigh up the following factors and choose the best one for your needs:
Bearing these factors in mind when considering your options is a great way to ensure you find a sponsoring broker that not only aligns with your current income goals but also fosters your professional advancement.
With this out of the way, the next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the New York Real Estate Salesperson exam online. This is a 90-minute exam that’s made up of 75 multiple-choice questions assessing you across all the content covered in the curriculum of your pre-licensing education.
In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the eAccessNY website and make an online reservation. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll be required to create an account, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete the reservation.
To find the closest applicable exam site, you can check out the New York Department of State website — be aware that making an exam reservation will cost $15 per attempt and can only be done online.
In order to pass, you’ll need to obtain 70% or more — which equates to a raw score of at least 53 out of 75 overall. In order to check how you performed in this exam, you’ll need to head back over to the eAccessNY platform, where you’ll either see “PASS” or “FAIL”.
Results will only be released online using this platform, so do not call Licensing Services over the phone as you cannot obtain your score this way.
Note: Your passing score will remain valid for a maximum period of two years — meaning that you’ll need to complete your application within this time.
After passing the state real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move onto submitting your license application. This is typically done online through the Department of State’s eAccessNY page for a fee of $65, though you’ll need to submit a paper application if you:
If you must submit your application by mail, you’ll need to file it to the following address:
New York State
Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
P.O. Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001
Once you’ve submitted an application (either online or by mail), your sponsoring broker will be required to log into their account in order to approve your application. Once this is done, it will be reviewed by the Department of State to ensure that it’s complete and that you qualify to become a real estate salesperson.
If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations! With your application submitted and all the other licensing requirements satisfied, in most cases you should receive a letter from the New York Department of State containing a license document within five to ten days.
Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!
Note: If you’re not sure what’s happening with your license and it’s been longer than this estimation, you can always get in touch with the NY Department of State at (518) 474-4429 or by email.
And that’s it, you’ll now be qualified as a practicing New York real estate agent.
In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to renew your license every two years and pay a $65 renewal fee. You’ll be able to do this at any point between 90 days before your license’s expiration date, though fines of up to $200 are imposed on renewals made more than 30 days late.
Alongside paying this fee, you’ll also need to complete at least 22.5 hours of continuing education, which will need to be broken down as follows:
You’ll also be required to complete at least two hours of “agency related instruction” within the two years immediately following a renewal.
We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.
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Mailing Address:
Division of Licensing Services
PO Box 22001
Albany NY 12201-2001
Albany Physical Address:
Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Phone: (518) 474-4429
Fax: (518) 473-6648
The process of becoming a licensed real estate salesperson in New York typically takes about three to six months from start to finish. This includes completing the required pre-licensing education, which consists of 75 hours of coursework, and then passing the state licensing exam. Note that this timeline has increased for many due to the removal of real estate license reciprocity in New York State.
The cost of obtaining an NY real estate license can vary widely. While costs like the application fee and exam fee are the same, your total cost will vary depending on which of the qualifying online real estate courses (e.g., Kaplan real estate education) you choose. Additionally, a New York real estate broker license may cost even more due to the additional education and experience requirements that are involved.
In order to get a real estate salesperson license in New York, there are five key steps you’ll need to take. These include confirming you meet the eligibility requirements, finding a sponsoring broker, passing the state licensing exam, and submitting an application for your real estate license online. For more information on these steps, check out our guide on How to Get a Real Estate License in New York.
The difficulty of the New York State real estate license exam can vary depending on factors such as your prior knowledge of real estate concepts, how well you’ve prepared, and your test-taking skills. With that said, many prospective New York real estate agents find the exam challenging due to its comprehensive nature and the breadth of topics covered.
Information on this page was researched and gathered from a multitude of sources and was most recently updated on July 9, 2024
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