To embark on a successful real estate career in New York (NY), you must navigate through a series of steps set by the New York State Department of State (DOS). These include completing a 75-hour prelicensing course, passing the state licensing exam, choosing a sponsoring broker, and adhering to the specific legal and educational requirements of New York. Dive into our detailed guide on obtaining your real estate license in New York and download our free licensing cheat sheet.
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1. Meet New York’s State Requirements
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- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien.
- You must possess a high school diploma or GED.
- You must have an approved form of identification.
- New York residency is not required.
For those with a criminal record:
- If found guilty of a felony or sex offense, obtaining a license is more challenging.
- With one felony, apply for a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities.
- With multiple felonies, apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct.
- Submit required documents to the New York Department of State for licensure eligibility.
2. Complete Prelicensing Courses
When you’re ready to embark on the journey of how to become a real estate agent in New York and have ensured you meet the state’s legal prerequisites, the next step is to complete your required 75 hours of prelicensing education. The courses, available in person or at an accredited online real estate school in New York, range from $149 to $495, depending on the provider. These courses will cover essential topics needed to pass the exam and state-specific information like Basic Principles of Real Estate, Commercial and Investment Properties, Human Rights and Fair Housing, Law of Agency, Real Estate Finance, Construction, Environmental Issues, and Condominiums and Cooperatives.
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Want to Skip New York Education?
If you’re an attorney admitted to the New York State Bar, you’re qualified for licensure and can bypass the need for additional real estate education. Furthermore, the New York Department of State (NYDOS) may waive the standard 75-hour education requirement for those holding a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in real estate, further facilitating your entry into the New York real estate industry.
This waiver also extends to individuals who have completed prelicensing courses in another state. To take advantage of this, you need to mail your official transcript or the original Certificate of Course Completion from a recognized real estate school. Along with these documents, include a letter requesting the waiver of the education requirements to the NYDOS.
3. Schedule & Take the New York Real Estate Exam
Once you’ve completed your prelicensing education and school exam to become a real estate agent, it’s time to pass your state exam. The New York real estate exam pass rate is about 60% on the first attempt and 80% on the second attempt. You can take the state exam as often as you’d like until you pass by rescheduling within 24 hours after your failed attempt.
To schedule your exam, the team and I summarize the steps below:
- Create an account on eAccessNY using your email address. This website, managed by the NYDOS, holds all your real estate licensing information, including exam scheduling and results, sponsoring brokerage, and continuing education hours.
- Use this account consistently throughout your career as a real estate agent in New York.
- Once the account is set up, apply for the real estate exam at your preferred location through eAccessNY.
- Pay the $15 exam fee directly on the eAccessNY website.
- To check your exam results, log into your eAccessNY account and select “View Exam Results.”
- The results, typically a pass or fail notification, are usually available within two to four weeks after taking the exam.
- Remember to apply for your real estate license within two years of passing the exam to ensure your application remains valid.
Test Format | Multiple choice |
Test Length | 75 questions |
Time Limit | 90 minutes |
Items to Bring to Exam |
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Passing Score | 70% |
Pass Rate | 60% pass rate |
If you’re navigating the process of how to become a real estate agent in New York and you’ve passed the licensing exam, you’re ready to advance to the subsequent steps. If you do not pass, you can retake the exam as often as needed within the year of finishing your prelicensing education. Also, if you do fail, you will be provided a diagnostic report of your strengths and weaknesses so that you can study for the appropriate portion, national or state, that you need to review and retake.
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If you need additional exam preparation, we’ve got you covered. Download our free Ace Your Exam E-book below.
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4. Pick a Sponsoring Brokerage
To meet the New York real estate license requirements and hold an active license, you must find a sponsoring brokerage to affiliate your license with. A sponsoring brokerage, such as Keller Williams or Coldwell Banker, is where your license will “hang,” allowing you to conduct business as a real estate agent. When considering which brokerage to work with, here are some key factors to think about in line with the New York real estate license requirements:
- Do you want to work at a national franchise, boutique, or virtual brokerage?
- What kind of training will be provided to you?
- What are the commission splits?
- Will you go solo or join a team?
- What is the reputation of the brokerage?
- Are there technological tools like client relationship management (CRM) systems, lead generation, and marketing?
5. Apply for Your New York Real Estate License
Once you’ve met the state requirements and completed your prelicensing course, you must submit your application at least seven days prior to your exam date. In addition to the application, you will be required to submit an application fee and additional documentation to complete your application. See the details below:
Application Form | |
Where to Submit Application | eAccessNY or you can mail in the NY real estate salesperson application |
Documentation Required |
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Application Fee | $65 |
6. Start Your Real Estate Career
Once you’ve completed all the above steps, you are ready to start your career as a real estate agent!
How to Retain & Renew Your New York License With Continuing Education
All real estate agents are required to do continuing education every few years to renew their license. This will guarantee you stay up to date with new laws and regulations and have the latest education on best real estate practices. Each state requires a different number of hours, and some states also require post-licensing education. Here is what is required in the state of New York:
- Salesperson Continuing Education hours required: 22.5 hours
- Brokers Continuing Education hours required: 22.5 hours
- Renewal cycle: Every two years
- Renew your license using eAccessNY
Reasons to Get a New York Real Estate License
Being a real estate agent in New York is a lucrative career for active agents. It’s important to have a solid knowledge of the real estate market in all of New York, and especially in the immediate location where you will be conducting your real estate business.
- The average salary for a real estate sales agent in New York, NY, is $53,962.
- The median sales price for homes in New York is $502,200.
- Average days on market in New York is 39 days.
- There were 9,932 homes sold as of December 2023.
- In December 2023, 40.9% of homes in New York sold above list price, up 7.2 points year over year.
- Clarence (42.4%) is the top metro in New York with the fastest-growing sales price.
- East Glenville is the most competitive city in New York in terms of median sale price.
Not Your State? Find Yours Here
Did you stumble here by mistake, or are you looking to get your license in another state? Click on the link for your state below to be directed to instructions on how to get your license in any one of the 50 states:
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- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It typically takes about three to six months to become a real estate agent in New York, depending on your schedule and study habits. This duration includes completing the 75-hour prelicensing education requirement and passing the final exam.
There is no limit on the number of times you can take the real estate exam. However, you must pay the exam fee of $15 for each attempt.
It usually takes a few days to get the results, but the exact timing can vary. Results are not given over the phone, so they must be accessed online through the eAccessNY system. In addition, the results for the New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam are reported as either passed or failed, and you will not receive a numerical score.
Bottom Line
Understanding the process of becoming a real estate agent in New York can be complex, but our guide aims to make it more straightforward. By following our instructions, you’ll be better positioned for success in New York’s competitive real estate market. The key to passing your licensing exams is consistent study and dedication. Once you get your license, you can choose the best company to work for. Our team is committed to providing you with the essential resources and advice to successfully embark on your real estate career in New York.
