Becoming a New York real estate broker is a strong step forward in your career. Not only does this advanced license look great on a resume, it also allows you to work independently, open real estate brokerage firms, and manage other agents within these firms.

Getting the New York Real Estate Broker License is a fairly simple process, but it does require you to complete five steps, and have a few prerequisites before applying or taking the broker’s exam.

This guide covers all of these requirements in a simple, easy to understand way that will make it easier for you throughout this process.

New York Real Estate Agent vs Real Estate Broker

New York offers two different types of real estate license: Sales and Broker.

A sales agent’s license is the initial license that real estate agents get in order to sell real estate.

A broker’s license is an advanced license that allows the license holder to operate at a higher level within real estate businesses in New York.

People often confuse sales agents and brokers. A simple way to look at the difference is that holders of the sales agent’s license are called real estate agents, while holders of the broker’s license are called real estate brokers.

New York Real Estate Broker License Requirements

First, to be eligible for a real estate broker’s license, you must meet the prerequisites to become a real estate broker in New York.

These prerequisites are:

• Being at least 20 years of age or older
• Passing the New York Real Estate Broker exam
• Two years of experience as a licensed real estate salesperson or three years of experience in the general real estate field
• A minimum of 3,500 points based on two years of salesperson experience, a minimum of 5,250 points based on three years of experience in general real estate, or 5,250 of experience in general and licensed real estate business over the course of three years

The fee for your New York real estate broker license is $185. Each license is valid for two years.

How to Become a Real Estate Broker in New York

Once you meet all the requirements listed above, you can follow these five steps to easily help you get your real estate broker license in New York.

Step 1: Complete a New York Broker Pre-Licensing Course

The first step to getting your real estate broker license in New York is to take 45 classroom hours of qualifying real estate courses.

These real estate courses mostly cover the fundamentals of working in real estate and must be completed within eight years of your broker’s license application. This requirement is divided into two sections:

The required 122 hours of classroom experience and/or a 30 hour remedial course may cover courses such as:

• Rent regulation
• Rent control
• Rent stabilization
• Farmland
• Forests
• Freshwater wetlands in New York
• Cease and desist orders
• Radon inspections

Your pre-licensure may go further with remedial courses to help boost your understanding of the state’s rules. The courses you take will also depend on if you will work upstate or downstate.

You will need to take at least two hours of cultural competency training as well.

New York does offer reciprocity with several states. If your state qualifies, you still need to fill out a completed application with your application fee and your current certification.

After completing the courses, you must also pass the final broker course exam. The minimum passing grade is 70%. The final pre-license exam is to be supervised by a proctor, whether on-site or online. This is not the same as the state broker exam.

After passing your broker course exam, your pre-license education provider will provide you with your course completion documents. You can submit your real estate broker application to the New York Division of Licensing Services.

Step 2: Submit a New York Broker License Application

Once you meet the broker pre-licensing education requirements and pass the course exam, you can now apply for your license.

To submit your broker license application, you must send your completed application to the New York Department of State using eAccessNY or a paper application form. The application fee is $185.

You will also need to send, in writing, proposed business names to the Division of Licensing Services for approval. Then, once the broker business name is approved, you can file it with the County Clerk’s office or NYS Department of State, Division of Corporations.

Step 3: Get Fingerprint-Based Background Check

After submitting your license application, you must have a fingerprint-based background check. You will submit your fingerprints via IdentoGO.

To begin the fingerprinting process, enter Service Code for your license type and hit “go.” Then, select “Locate an Enrollment Center” to find your local New York State authorized IdentoGO Center. You will need to make an appointment for fingerprinting. The fingerprinting fee is $101.75. You will need to submit electronic fingerprints, not rolled fingerprints.

Step 4: Pass the New York Real Estate Broker Exam

After completing the steps above, you must take the real estate broker licensing exam in person with an account via eAccessNY.

The fee for the written broker exam is $15.

In New York, brokers take a multiple-choice exam. It is based on the 122-hour pre-licensing curriculum and takes approximately 150 minutes to complete.

Taking an exam prep course provides you helpful tools and materials, such as quizzes and specific state-only practice exams, to increase your chances of passing your broker license exam the first time.

Step 5: Application Review

After taking your broker exam, you can access your results through your eAccessNY account.

If you pass, then you can submit your application and fee to get your broker license right away. If you have any questions regarding the status of your application, you should contact the New York Department of Licensing Services at (518) 474-4429 or use the Contact Us form.

Congratulations!

Now that you’ve successfully passed the broker licensing exam and obtained your license, there are a few things you need to do to keep your broker license active and updated.

New York Real Estate Broker License Renewal and CE

In New York, you must renew your real estate broker license every two years. You will receive a notice three months before your license expires to let you know that it’s time to renew. You’ll also receive a notice through your email and instructions on how to renew through the eAccessNY account.

The renewal fee is $185.

You will need to show that you’ve completed another 22.5 hours of continuing education (CE) before you renew your license. The courses should cover:

• Two hours in implicit bias
• One hour in legal matters
• Two hours of cultural competency
• Three hours of fair housing
• Two and a half hours on ethical business practices
• One hour agency or two hours for your initial license renewal
• Eleven elective hours

NYDS DLS – New York Department of State – Division of Licensing Services

Physical Address:

New York Division of Licensing Services
One Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Ave., 6th Floor,
Albany, NY 12231

Phone: (518) 474-4429

Fax: (518) 473-6648

Email: Contact Us

Website: https://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/index.html