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.

The process generally takes 3 to 6 months from start to finish.

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.

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 The application also asks whether any license or permit has been revoked, suspended, or denied (NY DOS Salesperson Application, Feb 2023^[1]).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]).

The DOS website lists all approved qualifying education providers.

Pre-licensing course prices vary by provider and format.

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]).

You must submit your license application within 2 years of passing the exam (NY DOS Become a Salesperson^[3]).

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.

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.

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.

These terms are not interchangeable.

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