How to get a New York real estate license
Getting a real estate license in New York involves five steps overseen by the New York Department of State (DOS) under Article 12-A of the Real Property Law. The process covers education, exams, broker sponsorship, and application through the state's eAccessNY portal. New York uses the statutory title "real estate salesperson" for licensed agents who work under a broker's supervision.
To get a New York real estate salesperson license, complete 77 hours of approved qualifying education and the school's proctored final exam, then schedule and pass the state licensing exam through eAccessNY. The state exam is 75 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit, and results are reported as pass or fail. After passing, secure a sponsoring broker, submit your application online with the $65 fee, and the broker must authorize it before the Department of State issues the license.
The process generally takes 3 to 6 months from start to finish.
The New York Department of State does not publish an official end-to-end timeline for obtaining a real estate salesperson license. The process involves completing 77 hours of approved qualifying education, passing a school-administered proctored exam, passing the state licensing exam, securing a sponsoring broker, and submitting the license application online through eAccessNY with the broker's authorization. Most applicants complete the process within a few months, though the timeline varies based on study pace, exam scheduling availability, and application processing.
Eligibility requirements for a New York real estate salesperson license
New York's salesperson eligibility criteria cover age, identity, criminal history, and child support status.
To obtain a New York real estate salesperson license, you must be at least 18 years old, complete 77 hours of approved qualifying education, pass the state real estate salesperson exam, be sponsored by a New York licensed real estate broker, and hold a current New York photo driver's license or non-driver ID card. The application fee is $65 and the exam fee is $15.
The application form requires additional disclosures beyond the baseline requirements. You must disclose any criminal convictions (misdemeanor or felony) and pending charges, with court records if applicable. The Department of State reviews criminal history on a case-by-case basis rather than automatically denying applicants with a record. The application also asks whether any license or permit has been revoked, suspended, or denied (NY DOS Salesperson Application, Feb 2023[1]).
A mandatory child support statement requires you to disclose whether you are more than 4 months in arrears. State law allows professional licenses to be suspended for individuals 4 or more months behind on child support obligations.
Non-NY residents without a New York DMV ID may enter 9 zeroes on the application and include a copy of their government-issued photo ID. A valid Social Security number is required on the application.
Step 1: Complete 77 hours of qualifying education
You must complete 77 hours of qualifying education at a real estate school approved by the Department of State. This requirement took effect on February 1, 2023. Applicants who completed the previous qualifying course before that date can still qualify by supplementing with additional continuing education on fair housing and implicit bias (NY DOS Salesperson Application, Feb 2023[1]).
New York requires 77 hours of approved qualifying education for a salesperson license, covering 19 subject areas defined in the state syllabus. The largest allocations are Law of Agency at 11 hours, Legal Issues at 10 hours, and Commercial and Investment Properties at 10 hours. A school-administered proctored final exam is also required in addition to the state licensing exam.
The DOS website lists all approved qualifying education providers.
The New York Department of State publishes a list of Approved Real Estate Qualifying Education Schools on its website, which includes both in-state and out-of-state providers offering the required 77-hour salesperson pre-licensing course. The list includes online, self-paced options as well as classroom-based programs at community colleges, universities, and private schools. You must complete the 77-hour course from a school on this approved list to satisfy the qualifying education requirement.
Yes. The NY Department of State may approve computer-based and distance-learning pre-licensing courses, provided the school can monitor and verify student participation for the required time. The DOS publishes a list of approved qualifying education schools that includes providers offering online, self-paced instruction. The 77-hour salesperson pre-licensing course must include a proctored final examination administered in person within New York State.
Pre-licensing course prices vary by provider and format.
The New York Department of State charges fixed fees of $15 for the written exam and $65 for the salesperson license application, totaling $80 in required state fees. The 77-hour pre-licensing course itself is offered by approved private schools, and tuition varies by provider and package. Course costs depend on factors such as format, included study materials, and whether exam preparation resources are bundled with the course.
Course completions are valid for 8 years from the date you finish. If you do not apply for your license within 8 years, you must retake the course. Once you apply the courses toward a license, they never expire and can be used toward a future broker upgrade (NY DOS Salesperson Application, Feb 2023[1]).
Education completed outside New York may qualify for a waiver. You must submit a written request with a transcript and course descriptions. Correspondence courses are not accepted for waivers (NY DOS Salesperson FAQ[2]).
Step 2: Pass the school's proctored final exam
Before scheduling the state licensing exam, you must pass a proctored final exam administered by your qualifying education school. The Department of State requires this school exam as a separate step from the state exam (NY DOS Salesperson FAQ[2]). Your school provides details on scheduling and format.
Step 3: Pass the New York state licensing exam
The state licensing exam costs $15 per attempt and is scheduled through your eAccessNY account. Exams are administered at testing sites throughout New York State (NY DOS Become a Salesperson[3]).
The New York real estate salesperson licensing exam is a multiple-choice test based on the 77-hour pre-licensing curriculum, with a 90-minute time limit. Results are reported as pass or fail with no numerical score, and the exam fee is $15 per attempt. The Department of State administers the exam at 11 sites across the state, and applicants schedule through the eAccessNY online system. Passed exam results are valid for two years.
You must submit your license application within 2 years of passing the exam (NY DOS Become a Salesperson[3]).
New York does not limit the number of times you can retake the real estate licensing exam. If you fail, you can schedule another exam through your eAccessNY account and pay the $15 exam fee for each attempt. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts, though scheduling depends on seat availability.
Step 4: Secure a sponsoring broker
A sponsoring broker is legally required to activate your salesperson license. A salesperson cannot operate independently and must work under a broker's supervision (NY DOS Salesperson Hub[4]).
After you submit your application through eAccessNY, your principal broker must log on to their own eAccessNY account and authorize your application before the Department of State will review it (NY DOS Become a Salesperson[3]).
The sponsoring broker must complete an Association Statement on your application confirming the sponsorship. You cannot be sponsored by a brokerage where you are a partner, officer, or voting shareholder (NY DOS Salesperson Application, Feb 2023[1]).
Step 5: Submit your application through eAccessNY
You submit your salesperson license application online through the eAccessNY portal[5]. Effective January 21, 2022, the application fee is $65, which includes a mandatory surcharge deposited into the state's anti-discrimination in housing fund (NY RPP §441-b[6]; NY DOS Licensing Updates[7]). Application fees are nonrefundable.
The fixed state fees total $80, comprising a $15 written exam fee and a $65 initial salesperson application fee. The 77-hour pre-licensing course cost varies by provider, bringing the total cost for most students to approximately $400 to $900. The application fee and exam fee are both nonrefundable, and a $20 fee applies to any check returned by the bank.
Most applicants apply online, but certain situations require a paper application by mail: attorney status, applying for an additional license, or previously licensed applicants (NY DOS Salesperson Application, Feb 2023[1]).
Once your broker authorizes the application, the Department of State reviews it for completeness. Upon approval, your license is generated that week and mailed to your broker's business address (NY DOS Salesperson Application, Feb 2023[1]).
What New York does not require
New York does not require fingerprinting, a high school diploma, or reciprocity with other states for real estate salesperson licensure.
The application requires criminal history self-disclosure with court documentation if applicable, but there is no fingerprinting step or separate background check fee. None of the fees on the state's schedule relate to fingerprinting or background checks (NY DOS Become a Salesperson[3]).
A high school diploma or GED is not required for licensure.
New York has no reciprocity agreements with any other state as of February 1, 2023. Out-of-state licensees must meet New York's full requirements, though out-of-state education may qualify for a waiver (NY DOS Salesperson FAQ[2]).
After your license is issued: next steps
Your New York real estate salesperson license is valid for 2 years. You must renew online through eAccessNY, and you can begin the renewal process up to 3 months before your expiration date. Renewal requires completing 22.5 hours of approved continuing education and paying a $65 renewal fee. You must have a sponsoring broker to be eligible for renewal (NY DOS Salesperson FAQ[2]).
If your license expires, you have 2 years to renew. After that, you must retake the qualifying education and pass the state exam again. No grace periods allow you to work while unlicensed.
A real estate salesperson works under the supervision of a licensed broker and cannot operate independently, while a broker holds a license that permits independent practice and oversight of salespersons. In New York, a salesperson must be at least 18 years old and complete 77 hours of qualifying education, while a broker must be at least 20 years old, complete 152 hours of qualifying education, and have at least two years of experience as a licensed salesperson or three years in the general real estate field. The broker, known in New York as the representative broker, is responsible for the conduct of the brokerage business, and the salesperson acts as the broker's agent.
After gaining experience, many salespersons pursue a broker license, which requires additional qualifying education and a separate exam (NY DOS Become a Broker[8]).
Joining the National Association of REALTORS® is a separate, optional step after licensing.
To become a REALTOR®, you must first hold a valid real estate license, then join a local REALTOR® association and pay applicable dues. In New York, joining one local board automatically enrolls you in the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). NAR requires members to complete a Code of Ethics course and 2 hours of Fair Housing training every 3 years to maintain membership eligibility. The principal of a real estate firm must join a REALTOR® association before any non-principal agents at the firm can join.
These terms are not interchangeable.
A real estate agent is any individual licensed by the state to help clients buy, sell, or rent property. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and subscribes to its Code of Ethics. The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark of NAR, and not all licensed agents choose to become REALTORS®.
If you are ready to begin, the first step is enrolling in a DOS-approved qualifying education course.
New York real estate license quick reference
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Pre-licensing education | 77 hours (DOS-approved) |
| School final exam | Required (proctored) |
| State exam fee | $15 per attempt |
| State exam format | Multiple choice, 90 minutes, pass/fail |
| Exam score validity | 2 years |
| Exam retakes | Unlimited |
| Application fee | $65 ($55 base + $10 surcharge) |
| Returned check fee | $20 |
| Application method | Online through eAccessNY |
| Sponsoring broker | Required to activate license |
| License term | 2 years |
| Renewal fee | $65 |
| CE requirement | 22.5 hours per 2-year term |
| Fingerprinting | Not required |
| Reciprocity | None (abolished Feb 1, 2023) |
| Course validity | 8 years from completion |
| High school diploma | Not required |
Sources
- NY DOS — Application PDF (Feb 2023)GovernmentApril 2026
- NY DOS — Salesperson FAQGovernmentMarch 2026
- NY DOS — Become a RE SalespersonGovernmentMarch 2026
- NY DOS — Salesperson HubGovernmentMarch 2026
- NY DOS — eAccessNY PortalGovernmentMarch 2026
- Justia — NY RPP §441-b (License Fees)StatuteAugust 2026
- NY DOS — Important Updates: LicensingGovernmentMay 2026
- NY DOS — Become a RE Broker (step-by-step)GovernmentMay 2026