The Beginner’s Guide to Getting a Real Estate License in New York
Did you know that real estate agents and brokers in New York easily earn a six-figure income without even requiring a bachelor’s degree to work in the industry?
The New York real estate landscape is flourishing with opportunities for making commissions, earning great salaries, and enjoying a flexible work-life schedule, unlike any other profession.
Working in NY real estate is becoming hugely popular as the Empire State continues to attract buyers and real estate investors from across the country.
One of the world’s hottest real estate markets, the demand for residential and commercial real estate in NY continues to be steady and strong.
Being the financial and business capital of the world, it is no surprise that a large concentration of the wealthiest and richest are based in the Big Apple.
For real estate professionals, the NY market can be a lucrative career choice, whether you want to work on a full-time or part-time basis.
Real estate salespersons, brokers, and realtors enjoy an exciting and rewarding career path filled with prosperity and freedom.
However, to enjoy the abundant opportunities for success and growth, you must first acquire a NY real estate license.
With a state-approved license, you can legally assist clients in buying or selling real estate anywhere in the Empire State.
The New York Department of State requires all applicants to earn their license before they start working in the industry.
Among the highest-paid markets in the country, obtaining a real estate license in New York could mean the start of a financially thriving and emotionally satisfying career for you.
If you want to build a successful career in NY real estate and are curious to learn more about how to get a New York real estate license, this guide will answer all your questions.
We have covered all the important aspects of becoming a licensed real estate agent in NY - from eligibility requirements to qualifying education and passing the licensing exam, you will learn about it all.
Can’t wait to embark on an exciting and rewarding professional journey? Let’s get started on the path to becoming a successful licensed agent in New York.
What is a NY real estate license?
We understand the process of getting a license and starting a new career might seem intimidating and overwhelming to you, but if you take it a step at a time, it becomes achievable.
If you are already wondering “how to get my real estate license in NY” and cannot wait to start your career, it is important to take a step back and start from the basics first.
A real estate license is legal proof that an individual or a firm has completed the mandatory state and federal requirements and met all the qualifying education and licensing criteria.
A license proves that you are qualified and trained to work in the industry and legally assist clients in buying or selling property, brokering deals, negotiating prices, and offering any related services.
In NY, it is the responsibility and authority of the NYSDOS (New York State Department of State) to issue, renew, and reject real estate licenses.
Like most states, New York requires all aspiring professionals to fulfill the NYSDOS licensing requirements and eligibility criteria to become eligible for a salesperson or broker’s license.
Qualifying for a real estate license requires you to complete a series of pre-established steps and fulfill a set of state and federal requirements.
When it comes to the different types of real estate licenses, here are the two main ones:
- Real estate salesperson license: This is the beginner’s or entry-level real estate license to start your career and join the NY real estate industry.
- Real estate broker license: Once you gain work experience with a salesperson license, you can obtain a broker’s license by meeting the additional requirements.
In this article, we will give you the requirements for obtaining a salesperson’s license since it will be your first step through the door of working in New York real estate.
Requirements for a NY real estate license
If you are curious to know more about how to obtain a real estate license in NY, you must start by understanding the basic eligibility requirements first.
In order to be eligible for a real estate license, you must meet the following statutory requirements as follows.
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older
- You must be a legal resident of the state of New York or a lawfully residing alien
- You must have a valid social security number and a driver’s license
- You must have a high school diploma in education or a GED equivalent
- You should not have any criminal history or felonies in your name
- You must meet the standards of honesty, truthfulness, and integrity in your character
If you meet the above criteria, the next step is to fulfill the NYSDOS pre-licensing education requirements.
In New York, it is mandatory for all applicants to complete 75 hours of pre-licensing education to qualify for a salesperson license.
The purpose of pre-licensing education is to expose students to the fundamental principles, policies, and fundamentals of real estate.
As part of your education, you will cover both mandatory and elective courses including:
- Principles and practices of real estate
- Real estate contracts and agreements
- Real estate ethics
- Real estate finance and investments
- State and federal laws
Note that you must choose a state-approved education provider to complete the course credits and qualify for a salesperson license.
If you want to find a list of state-approved education providers in NY, you can visit the New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) website.
Note that you are free to choose your education provider of choice, whether they offer in-person, classroom-based learning or provide online, virtual classes.
Based on your preferred learning medium, schedule, and preferences, you can decide whether classroom-based education or online courses will suit you better.
For most students, learning on the go saves them the hassle of being tied to one location or traveling to a classroom every day.
The advantage of choosing an online real estate course provider is the freedom and flexibility to save time in commuting to a physical location.
Online courses in NY offer great convenience and ease of life for busy students and working professionals who want to get their education completed seamlessly.
Plus, if you choose an online pre-licensing course, you are free to fast-track the learning process and complete the entire course duration in just two weeks.
Passing the NY real estate licensing exam
Once you complete the 75 hours of course credits, you might wonder - “how do I get my real estate license in NY and what are the next steps?”
After you complete the pre-licensing education, the next task is to take the NY real estate salesperson licensing exam.
The purpose of the exam is to test the knowledge and understanding of applicants who wish to work in the industry. It is a closed book, multiple choice question test.
Whenever you are ready, you can schedule the salesperson licensing exam as per your preferred date and time. To do so, you have to visit the eAccessNY portal, register your interest, and pay the exam application fee.
As per the NYSDOS, it is mandatory for all applicants to clear the licensing exam to obtain their real estate license.
The exam consists of both state and national-specific portions based on the courses and topics covered during your pre-licensing education.
To clear the exam, you must score at least 75 percent or above in the final score.
If you clear the exam successfully, you will be eligible to submit your NY real estate salesperson licensing application to the NYSDOS for approval via the eAccessNY portal.
Along with your application form, you must also submit electronic fingerprints to pass the federal background verification and criminal check.
Doing so is mandatory for all applicants as the real estate industry guidelines require you to meet the standards for ethics, trust, and good moral character.
Once you submit the certificate of completion of pre-licensing education, the proof of clearing the NY licensing exam, and the mandatory background verification documents, you simply have to wait.
It takes anywhere between a week or two for the NYSDOS to review and approve your salesperson licensing application.
If your application is approved, you will receive your NY salesperson license in your mail and you will be good to go!
Cost of getting a Real Estate license in New York
You might be wondering how to get a real estate license in NYC in an affordable way and save money while doing so.
The fact is that starting a new career and earning your license requires a minimum investment to begin with.
There are multiple steps involved in the process, there are expenses at each step which must be factored in to understand the total expected cost of getting a salesperson license.
For some individuals getting a license and covering the costs can be manageable, whereas for others, the costs can be downright expensive and prohibitive too.
If you are trying to put together a budget or are simply curious to learn how much money it takes to become a licensed real estate agent in NY, here are the key cost components.
Pre-Licensing Education Costs
To get your New York real estate salesperson license, you must complete the mandatory pre-license education and training. This is the most important and expensive step in your journey to becoming a licensed real estate professional.
Pre-licensing education costs in New York are generally in the range of $100 to $500 or above.
It depends on the type of learning, the medium of content delivery medium, and the varying benefits of the course package and learning plan.
Overall, the final cost for your pre-licensing education will be determined by the course provider and the type of package you choose.
Examination Fees
Taking the NY real estate salesperson licensing exam costs you an examination fee of $15. Note that if you fail to clear the exam in one attempt, you will have to pay the exam fee for each attempt.
Background Check and Fingerprints
As per the Department of State, every applicant is required to undergo a background check and submit fingerprint verification. Getting your electronic fingerprints will cost you around $75.
Application Fees
Along with your salesperson licensing application, you will be required to pay the one-time application fee of $65.