Getting your New York Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in New York. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You’ll still need to take your license exam in person, but the rest of the process can be completed entirely online!

This article outlines the process to get your New York Real Estate License in an easy to understand, step-by-step manner. You’ll learn how much it will cost, how long it will take, what is on the exam, and much more.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in New York

Becoming a real estate agent in New York is as simple as getting your license and getting to work selling real estate! As long as you fulfill the below requirements, you are already on your way to your goal.

New York Real Estate License Requirements

The requirements to become a real estate agent in New York are:

• Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have no prior felony or sex offense convictions

How to Get Your New York Real Estate License

Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

New York requires that real estate sales agents complete 75 hours of pre-licensing coursework prior to sitting for their exam.

Most people choose to take their pre-license education course online. The majority of online courses are self-paced and include study materials like real estate practice exams and flashcards. Some also come with a “guarantee” that you will pass the exam on your first attempt if you complete their course. These benefits are all dependent on the education provider and package you choose, so be sure to get the course that best suits your needs. 

Remember that the point of these courses isn’t just to check a box and complete a requirement, but rather to prepare you to pass your exam and become a better agent.

New York is one of the few states that require the final pre-license exam to be supervised by a proctor. This is not the same as the state exam. This test is provided by your pre-license education company and is an indication that you have completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course.

Similar to the state exam, this test is closed-book and closed-note. You are allowed a basic-function calculator and scratch paper, but no cell phones or outside internet access.

In most cases, you can take this test in your own home, but you must have a proctor overseeing you when sitting for the test. When purchasing your real estate pre-license course, check to see if a proctor is included in your education package.

Step 2. New York Real Estate License Exam

Once you complete the 75-hour NY real estate salespersons course, you can then schedule your state exam through eAccessNY. You will first have to create your eAccessNY account before you can schedule your state exam.

The fee to take the exam is $15 per attempt.

The New York Real Estate Exam consists of 75 multiple choice questions and is based on the 75-hour pre-licensing curriculum.

You will have 90 minutes (1.5 hours) to complete the entire exam.

A passing score for the New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 53/75.

Exam results are reported as either passed or failed; you will not receive a numerical score. Passed exam results are only valid for a period of two years. Results will not be given over the phone, so please do not call Licensing Services for them.

You can register to take your exam on the eAccessNy Occupational Licensing Management System..

Before taking the exam, check out StateRequirement’s guide on how to pass the real estate exam. This in-depth guide works as a great partner to your pre-license course to prepare you to pass on your first attempt!

Step 3. Real Estate License Application

Once you pass the New York Salesperson Real Estate exam, complete your application using eAccessNY.

The fee for this application is $55.

Your principal broker must log on to their personal online account and authorize your application. After the broker authorizes your application, the Department of State will review your application to make sure it is complete and meets the qualifications for a real estate salesperson license.

Step 4. Application Review

Once you’ve passed your exam, you will need to wait for your sponsoring broker to authorize your application. In most cases, this process should take between 5-10 business days. After this, your license will be mailed to your business address. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact NYSDSLS at (518) 474-4429 or on their website.

Congratulations! 

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

New York Real Estate License FAQ

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in New York?

All New York fees: $75

Real Estate Pre-Licensing Education (Estimated): $320-$474

The total estimated cost to get a New York Real Estate license is $400-$550.

How Long Does it Take to Get a New York Insurance License?

The two steps that take the most time when getting your license are pre-license education and test preparation. The average amount of time that people take from start to finish is generally 3-6 months.

If you dedicate a full-time schedule to this process and study hard, you could possibly complete this process in 2 months. We wouldn’t recommend trying to go any faster than this. Take your time to study and prepare yourself for the exam.

How to Get an New York Commercial Real Estate License

To sell commercial real estate in New York, a standard Salesperson or Broker license is all that you need. There is no specific “commercial real estate license”.

If you wish to take on a career selling specifically commercial real estate, choose a broker that handles the types of deals that you want to be a part of.

Are There any Real Estate Jobs Open Around Me?

Check out StateRequirement Jobs to find open real estate jobs in your area!

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NYSDSDLS – New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services

Mailing Address: 

New York Department of Licensing Services
99 Washington Avenue, One Commerce Plaza 6th Floor,
Albany, NY 12231

Phone: (518) 474-4429

Fax: (518) 4736648

Email: Contact Us

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

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Information on this page has been gathered by a multitude of sources and was most recently updated in December 2020.

Any Information on this site is not guaranteed or warranted to be correct, accurate, or up to date. StateRequirement and its members and affiliates are not responsible for any losses, monetary or otherwise. StateRequirement is not affiliated with any state, government, or licensing body. For more information, please contact your state's authority on insurance.

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