How to get your real estate license in New York: 5 steps

If you want to become a real estate agent in the Empire State, the first step is to get your New York real estate license.

While there are multiple steps to the process—don’t worry. It’s relatively straightforward, especially if you prepare.

In this article, we will go through the five steps of getting your New York real estate license. We will also look at the time and money it will take to get licensed. Here is everything you need to know about how to get a real estate license in New York.  

The steps to getting your real estate license in New York

The steps for getting your real estate license depend on which state you live in. (For example, different guidelines apply if you want to get licensed in Florida.) In New York, the New York Department of State (NYDOS) requires you to complete five steps to get a Real Estate Salesperson License.

Before we dive into these five steps, let’s first look at the prerequisites, which include that you:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must not have prior sex offense convictions or felonies
• Must have a current New York photo driver’s license or non-driver ID card

Note: You do not need to have a high school diploma or GED.

Now, let’s look at the five steps for getting your real estate license in New York:

1. Complete 77-hour pre-license education
2. Pass course final exam
3. Pass New York real estate exam
4. Select sponsoring broker
5. Complete license application

Before we dive in, take a look back at this detailed guide on getting into real estate.

To help you in our journey to getting your New York real estate license, let’s break down each of these steps.

1. Complete 77-hour pre-license education

The first step to getting your New York real estate license is completing the 77-hour pre-license course. In this course, you will learn about:

• Agency law
• Commercial properties
• Contract law
• Environmental issues
• Land use regulations
• License law
• Property management
• Real estate finance
• Real estate investments

2. Pass course final exam

The next step is to meet the requirements of the New York Department of State. This includes passing the pre-license course final exam with a minimum score of 70%.

3. Pass New York real estate exam

After passing the course final exam, you must pass both the state and national portions of the New York salesperson license examination. To help you achieve a minimum score of 70%, you can take NY-state practice tests online.

To become a mortgage broker in New York, there is also a national component, which you can prepare for by taking Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) practice tests online. To help you get ready, read our guide to the NMLS practice test.

The 75 questions on your New York real estate exam reflect the content you learned in your 77-hour pre-licensing curriculum. In New York, you will receive either a pass or fail; you do not receive a numerical score.

4. Select sponsoring broker

Licensees must be sponsored by an active broker in New York to become a real estate salesperson in the state. As you start in your career, your sponsoring broker will act as your mentor.

When searching for your sponsoring broker, it is important to ask the following questions:

• Is their knowledge of rules and regulations current?
• How do they support their agents?
• What is their reputation like?
• How advanced are they in their specialty?
• Is there potential to grow within the brokerage?
• What kind of commission structure do they offer and are there benefits?
• What quality of marketing material and leads do they offer agents?

5. Complete license application
When getting your real estate license in New York, the final step is to apply for a license with the New York Department of State (DOS). You can apply online or by mail.

How long does it take to get a real estate license in NY?

The amount of time it will take to get a real estate license in New York depends on whether you complete the coursework online or in a classroom. It also depends on how much time you have to dedicate to the 77-hour pre-licensing course.

Let’s look at how long it will take to get your New York real estate license online compared to in a classroom.

Online option

Getting your NY real estate license online takes much less time than completing it in a classroom. Here are key points to know about completing the licensing requirements online:

• You can finish the course at your own pace. This means you can work early in the morning or well into the evening—or both, if you’re feeling it—instead of having to wait for scheduled class time. If you are up for finishing 40 hours of coursework per week, you can finish online in as little as two weeks.
• You can finish the course on any device. That means you can finish wherever you want: on a bus, at the doctor’s office, or during your lunch break. You could finish the course in three or four weeks if you complete 20 hours of course work each week.  

Classroom option

If you thrive more in a structured setting, then getting your NY real estate license in a classroom might be the better option. You should know, however, that it will likely take longer. Here are some things you should know about going the classroom route:

• You complete the course during your class time each week. Remember: this pre-licensing course is 77 hours, meaning you will only be able to work on your coursework during class time. And weekly classroom courses are designed to be completed in five to six months.
• You complete the course during class time each day. Some course providers offer daily classes if you are finishing the 77-hour pre-licensing course in a classroom. Done this way, daily sessions are six or eight hours long. Doing daily sessions, you can finish the course in about one to two months.

How much does it cost to get your real estate license in New York?

The cost of getting your real estate license in New York varies but it is relatively affordable. An aspiring real estate agent in New York will spend anywhere between $200 to $425 to get a license. The cost ultimately depends on the real estate school you attend. The cost of the pre-license courses also depends on whether you attend an in-person class or enroll online.

Let’s look at a breakdown of the costs of getting your NY real estate license:

How hard is the real estate exam in NY?

It is difficult to pass the real estate exam in NY, but not impossible. The passing rate for the New York real estate license exam is 70%. If you pay attention during your pre-license course, and study seriously, you will likely be okay. While you have multiple attempts to pass the exam, taking the preparations seriously will help you pass the exam on the first try.

How long is a NY real estate license good for?

Your New York real estate license is good for two years. As a reminder, the expiration date of your real estate license will be printed on it.

Three months before your license expires, you will be sent an email notification and post card reminder to renew your NY real estate license. Both reminders give you written instructions on how to renew the license online, which can be done through your eAccessNY account.

Note: To be eligible for license renewal, you have to be a sponsoring broker.

Getting your real estate license in New York starts with preparation

To get your real estate license in New York, it is important to understand the licensing requirements. It is also a good idea to follow a checklist so that you can be successful from the start. Once you understand the steps, you will be able to prepare. And once you are prepared, it should be relatively straightforward.

Remember: the more knowledge you have, the better off you will be.

To find out more about how to get your real estate license in New York, get in touch with one of the mortgage professionals we highlight in our Best of Mortgage section. Here you will find the top performing mortgage professionals across the USA.

Did you find these tips on how to get a real estate license in New York useful? What part of the profession are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comment section below.