Your 2025 guide to becoming a licensed real estate agent in NY

If you are passionate about helping people and want to work independently for yourself in the future, a career in real estate might just be for you.
Becoming a real estate agent in NY is worth exploring for many reasons, but most importantly, for making a six-figure income while achieving professional autonomy.
The Empire State is known for being a melting point of finance, media, technology, and culture and the state has its own charm and allure which has stood the test of time.
New York’s real estate market has been one of the most popular, attractive, and renowned destinations for decades.
Even today, New York attracts the interests and investments of some of the richest, most coveted, and discerning property buyers and real estate investors.
For real estate professionals, New York has always offered a diverse and dynamic real estate landscape filled with exciting possibilities and numerous growth prospects.
It is no surprise that the top real estate agents in NY can make as much as $200K in annual income while getting the chance to meet and network with clients and industry professionals.
Working in NY real estate can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling professional experience, especially if you are ambitious and self-motivated.
If you are interested in working as a part-time real estate agent or building a full-time career, now is a good time to get started.
The most important step in embarking on a professional journey in real estate is to get your real estate license in New York and meet the state and federal licensing requirements.
For most individuals, getting licensed seems like a chore but in reality, it is an essential aspect to become a professional and earn commissions in real estate deals.
To help you get started, we will cover all the requirements and steps you need to complete to get a salesperson license in NY.
After reading this in-depth guide, you will feel more confident about how to approach the journey of getting licensed and start working with clients.
What does a real estate agent do
Real estate agents work with buyers and sellers to help them sell and buy properties in a locality, region, city, or state.
As a real estate agent, your day-to-day activities will be a diverse mix of sales, marketing, customer support, and operational duties.
You will be juggling multiple tasks such as meeting clients, responding to their queries, helping them scout for buyers and in getting their property up for sale.
From finalizing contracts and agreements to negotiating price offers and bids, agents work with their clients through the various steps of the deal.
Real estate agents are expected to have a deep understanding of the local and national trends, developments, regulations and happenings in the industry.
Real estate agents earn commission by helping clients close a deal and the higher the value of the transaction, the more commission an agent makes.
Typically, you can start working as an agent after getting your NY real estate license and finding employer sponsorship from a state-licensed brokerage firm.
Benefits of Becoming a Real Estate Agent in New York
Working in NY real estate is a professional dream come true for thousands of individuals, it is no surprise that the state is home to nearly 50,000 real estate professionals.
Whether you are looking for a profitable side gig or a long-term career path, there are many benefits of working as a real estate agent in NY such as:
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High earning potential
The possibility of a well-paying career is the number one reason that attracts individuals to work in real estate.
The NY real estate market boasts of some of the most expensive and valuable properties sought after by affluent buyers and high-net-worth individuals.
Imagine helping sell a property worth $800K and earning a 5 percent commission for your services - many real estate agents can easily earn a six-figure income in this market.
What’s even more impressive is the fact that there is no upper bound of how much money you can make - the more deals you close, the more commissions you earn.
As you gain more experience and expand your clientele over time, your earning prospects will also grow.
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Professional Autonomy and Independence
If you crave autonomy and independence in your profession, then working in real estate might just be exactly what you need.
Real estate agents and brokers are less focused on the routine and more oriented towards the results - as long as you close deals and win clients, you can enjoy the flexibility to define your work around your priorities and goals.
Working for yourself comes with the benefit of finding your own clients and navigating your career as per your own decision making.
Once you cross a few milestones in your career and grow your network, clientele, and expertise, you can choose to start your own agency and real estate firm.
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Exciting Growth Opportunities
New York is one of the busiest, most dynamic, and fast-moving markets in the world, which positions it at the edge of the latest developments and emerging trends.
If you are seeking a high-growth career, working in NY real estate can be the perfect launchpad for a thriving career.
Real estate is a constantly growing and evolving industry as people are always looking for investing in property, renting their property or moving to new cities and states.
With a salesperson license, you can take first steps into the industry and as you gain experience and complete additional education, you can apply for a broker or realtor license.
If you have the motivation and drive to advance in your career, real estate will give you many opportunities to do so.
This means that if you have the passion and dedication, you will be able to advance in your real estate career.
All you need is a state license and you will be on your way to working with clients and earning commission by helping close deals.
Are you eager to start working and are already wondering how to get my real estate license in NY easily? We will outline the steps for getting a license in the next section.
Steps to obtain a NY license for aspiring real estate agents
Like most states, New York has a set of licensing laws and guidelines for real estate agents and brokers.
To obtain a license, it is mandatory to fulfil the licensing requirements and complete all the steps established by the New York Department of State (NYSDOS).
If you want to apply for a license, you must first ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements which are:
- Be at least 18 years of age or older
- Be a legally residing citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
- Have a valid NY driver’s license or any other non-driver ID proof
Only if you meet the statutory requirements should you proceed to the next steps in the licensing journey.
Step 1: Complete NY pre-license education
To work with clients and help them navigate a real estate deal, it is important that you acquire the required knowledge, skills and training.
The New York Department of State (NYSDOS) licensing guidelines state that every individual must complete minimum qualifying education to be eligible for a license.
To obtain a salesperson license in NY, you must complete 75 hours of pre license education from a state approved education provider.
You can find a list of the approved education course providers on the NYSDOS website.
Completing pre-license education is not just a mandatory requirement, but an essential step in ensuring you are prepared to work in a competitive industry like real estate.
Pre-license education will help you complete a range of courses including:
- Principles and practices of real estate
- State and federal laws
- Contracts and agreements
- Real estate ethics
- Real estate finance
These courses will give you a foundational knowledge of the industry principles, processes, and practices.
Students are free to choose between joining an in-person, physical classroom-based course or enrolling in an online, self-paced course.
Completing pre-licensing education costs in New York are generally in the range of $100 to $700, depending on your course package, medium of learning and course features.
Many students prefer the convenience and flexibility of online New York real estate course
as it can be completed from anywhere on any device.
Online courses make it easier for busy students and working professionals to complete their course credits and advance in their licensing journey.
Step 2: Pass the New York Real Estate Exam
After completing pre-license education, the next step is to take the NY salesperson licensing exam and prove your knowledge and preparation.
The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering state-specific and national-specific portions and it will test your knowledge of the course topics and subjects you have learned.
The NYSDOS requires every student to take the state licensing exam and pass it by scoring at least 75 percent or above on the test.
To schedule the licensing exam, you have to visit the eAccessNY portal, register your preferred date and time and pay the exam application fee of $15.
If you fail to pass the test on your first attempt, you can reschedule the test by paying the exam fee again.
Step 3: Clear background verification check
The NY law allows only individuals with a clean criminal record and good moral character to work in a regulated industry.
To obtain a license, you must meet the standards for honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness by clearing the federal criminal history and background verification check.
To complete this step, you must submit an electronic scan of your fingerprints to the State Department of Justice (DOJ) for review.
If all works well and your application is approved, you will receive your NY salesperson license within a few weeks. It will cost you a one time licensing fee of $65.
Step 4: Joining a Real Estate Brokerage
Congratulations on receiving your salesperson license, your hard work has finally paid off and you are now just one step away from embarking on a rewarding career journey.
To activate your license, you must work with a senior broker licensed in NY and submit your employer sponsorship details to the NYSDOS.
Working under the guidance and supervision of more experienced brokers will help you gain practical, real-world industry experience and boost your confidence.
Since there are thousands of licensed brokers and firms in NY, you can start reaching out to the ones in your area and find the one most suitable for your career goals and aspirations