How To Get Your Real Estate License In New York

Do you want to become a real estate agent and get your New York Real Estate License? Colibri Real Estate has taught thousands of aspiring real estate agents in New York, and we make it easy for you to get up to speed on the New York real estate license requirements.

77 Mandatory Hours
0 Elective Hours
77 Total Hours
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Here's what you need to get your New York Real Estate license

The information below is a summary of the minimum requirements set forth by the New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services. For a more detailed requirements breakdown, please see the board's site.
If you hold Real Estate licenses in multiple states, please make sure to check each state's requirements.

New York Real Estate: Salesperson (Pre-Licensing)

Total Hours Required: 77
Mandatory Hours: 77
Elective Hours: 0

Online Info

  1. Step 1. Meet New York Real Estate License requirements. You must be at least 18 years old to get your New York real estate license. In addition, you must have no felony charges on record and submit proof of US residency.
  2. Step 2. Complete a 77-hour salesperson qualifying education course in real estate approved by the Department of State. 
  3. Step 3. Pass an exam administered by the Department of State. Once you pass your final exam, you must submit the following in your application:
    • Certification of Satisfactory Completion section of the application completed by the Department of State. Typically, the certificate of course completion issued by the school satisfies this documentation.
    • Examination notification must be submitted with your application form.
    • License fee
    • Name of your New York State licensed real estate broker
Per the New York Department of State: 
https://dos.ny.gov/real-estate-salesperson

Effective December 21, 2022, in order to qualify for licensure as a real estate salesperson, an applicant must have completed 77-hours of salesperson qualifying education.

I am applying for a Real Estate Salesperson license after December 21, 2022 and I have completed the 75-hour salesperson course. What other courses do I need?

You will need a two-hour continuing education course on Fair Housing and/or implicit bias training.

I am applying for a Real Estate Salesperson license after December 21, 2022 and I have completed the 45-hour salesperson qualifying course (prior to July 1, 2008) and the 30-hour remedial course. What other courses do I need?

You will need a two-hour continuing education course on Fair Housing and/or implicit bias training.

If you have any questions or concerns about this change in educational requirements, please contact the Department or visit the FAQ page on their website. https://dos.ny.gov/real-estate-salesperson

What states have real estate license reciprocity with New York?

  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Massachusetts
  • Mississippi
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • West Virginia

Online Limitations

If you do not complete your online self paced course within the 6 month access time you can purchase an extension. If you do not complete your course within the one year time period permitted per New York License Law Rule 176.25, you will be required to re-register for your course and take the entire course over again from the beginning.

SCHEDULING YOUR FINAL EXAM: The state of New York requires that the school schedule your final exam with a proctor. When you have completed at least 75% of the course units, you will need to review the Proctor list in the Documents section, select a proctor location that is convenient, and fill out this form to schedule your final exam. We require at least 3 business days notice to schedule your final exam, however, it may take longer depending on proctor availability. Your course final exam must be completed prior to your course expiration date or you will be required to purchase an extension to access that portion of your course. There is an additional fee to purchase an extension and the extension must be purchased before the proctored exam will be scheduled.

Rescheduling Your Proctored Exam: Should you need to cancel your proctored exam, you will be responsible for contacting the proctor directly. To reschedule your exam, you must submit a new scheduling request for the re-scheduled date. Students are not permitted to reschedule their exams with the proctor directly as the state requires the school to set those appointments.

You have ONE complimentary reschedule of your exam. After the first reschedule, there will be a $25 fee for each subsequent change. Rescheduling fees must be paid before your proctor appointment will be rescheduled.

Roster

Roster Required: yes
Roster Process:

Completion certificates are not activated until the student has passed the proctored course final exam, the proctor of the exam has been verified and accepted, and the signed Post-Course Affidavit has been received.

Rosters are sent by email each business day to the Department of State Division of Licensing Services.

Roster Sent: Every 1 days

Governing Agency

Name: New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services
Phone: 5184744429
Fax: 5184736648
Address: Division of Licensing Services One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave Albany, 12231

New York Real Estate: Salesperson First Time Renewal (Continuing Education)

Total Hours Required: 22.5
Mandatory Hours: 12.5
Elective Hours: 10
Renewal Cycle in Years: 2
Education Cycle in Months: 24

Online Info

Continuing Education and Renewal Date: Two years, from the effective date of the license.
 
Hours Required by New York Real Estate Division: 22.5 hours
 
Real estate licensees submitting a first-time renewal application for a license expiring on or after September 21, 2022:  
•12.5 mandatory hours
    o2 hours in Implicit Bias Awareness
    o2 hours in Cultural Competency
    o3 hours in Fair Housing
    o2 hours in Law of Agency
    o2.5 hours in Ethical Business Practices
    o1 hour in Legal Matters
•10 elective hours
 
Seat Time: The New York Real Estate Division requires a timing device for all distance education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. Please note that your course will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity.
 
Final Exam: While students are required to demonstrate mastery of the content at certain levels of the course, there are no passing requirement for the final exam.
 
Required Course Affidavit: The New York Real Estate Division requires an affidavit at the conclusion of each course, certifying that no other person has assisted in the completion of the course in the licensee’s name. The affidavit may be electronically completed (e-signed).
 
Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary but are generally 6 months after enrollment date.
 
Certificate: With few exceptions, online course completion certificates are available for download at course conclusion and posted directly to your student dashboard.  
 

Online Limitations

There is no limit to the number of CE hours that may be taken online.

Roster

Roster Required: yes
Roster Process:

Rosters are sent by email each business day.

As per the state: We do not rely on rosters to determine renewal eligibility. The students/applicants must renew online. When completing the online renewal application, each student is asked, “Have you taken the required continuing education or are you exempt?” Yes or No… If the student answers yes, the renewal is processed without further action by the student. If they answer no, a hold is placed on the renewal which prevents issuance of the renewal license until the student submits proof of CE in certificate form. (Those answering yes may be randomly audited)

Roster Sent: Every 1 days

Governing Agency

Name: New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services
Phone: 5184744429
Fax: 5184736648
Address: Division of Licensing Services One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave Albany, 12231

New York Real Estate: Broker (Pre-Licensing)

Total Hours Required: 75
Mandatory Hours: 75
Elective Hours: 0

Online Info

If you do not complete your course within the 6 month access time you can purchase an extension. If you do not complete your course within the one year time period permitted per New York License Law Rule 176.25, you will be required to re-register for your course and take the entire course over again from the beginning.

Per the New York Department of State: 
https://dos.ny.gov/real-estate-broker

Effective December 21, 2022, real estate broker applicants must complete 152 hours of approved qualifying education.

I am applying for a Real Estate Broker license on or after December 21, 2022, and I have completed the 45-hour salesperson course. What other courses do I need to complete?

You will need the 30-hour salesperson remedial, a two-hour continuing education course on Fair Housing and/or implicit bias training, and the 75-hour broker course.

I am applying for a Real Estate Broker license on or after December 21, 2022, and I have completed the 45-hour salesperson course, the 30-hour salesperson remedial course and the 45-hour broker course. What other courses do I need to complete?

You will need to complete the 32-hour broker remedial course.

I am applying for a Real Estate Broker license on or after December 21, 2022, and I have completed the 75-hour salesperson course. What other courses do I need to complete?

You will need to complete the 75-hour broker course and a two-hour continuing education course on fair housing and/or implicit bias training.

I am applying for a Real Estate Broker license on or after December 21, 2022, and I have completed the 75-hour sales and the 45-hour broker course. What other courses do I need to complete?

You will need to complete the 32-hour broker remedial course.


If you have any questions or concerns about this change in educational requirements, please contact the Department or visit the FAQ page on their website. https://dos.ny.gov/real-estate-broker

Online Limitations

SCHEDULING YOUR FINAL EXAM: The state of New York requires that the school schedule your final exam with a proctor. When you have completed most of the course units, you will need to review the Proctor list in the Documents section, select a proctor location that is convenient and fill out this form to schedule your final exam: https://www.realestateexpress.com/forms/NYproctor.htm. We require at least 3 business days notice to schedule your final exam, however, it may take longer depending on proctor availability. Your course final exam must be completed prior to your course expiration date or you will be required to purchase an extension to access that portion of your course. There is an additional fee to purchase an extension and the extension must be purchased before the proctored exam will be scheduled.

Rescheduling Your Proctored Exam: Should you need to cancel your proctored exam, you will be responsible for contacting the proctor directly. To reschedule your exam, you must submit a new scheduling request for the re-scheduled date. Students are not permitted to reschedule their exams with the proctor directly as the state requires the school to set those appointments.

You have ONE Complimentary reschedule of your exam. After the first reschedule, there will be a $25 fee for each subsequent change. Rescheduling fees must be paid before your proctor appointment will be rescheduled.

Roster

Roster Required: yes
Roster Process:

Completion certificates are not activated until the student has passed the proctored course final exam, the proctor of the exam has been verified and accepted, and the signed Post-Course Affidavit has been received.

Rosters are sent by email each business day to the Department of State Division of Licensing Services.

Roster Sent: Every 1 days

Governing Agency

Name: New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services
Phone: 5184744429
Fax: 5184736648
Address: Division of Licensing Services One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave Albany, 12231

New York Real Estate: All (Continuing Education)

Total Hours Required: 22.5
Mandatory Hours: 11.5
Elective Hours: 11
Renewal Cycle in Years: 2
Education Cycle in Months: 24

Online Info

Continuing Education and Renewal Date: Every two years, from the effective date of the license.
 
Hours Required by New York Real Estate Division: 22.5 hours
 
Real estate licensees submitting a renewal application for a license expiring on or after September 21, 2022:  
•11.5 mandatory hours
    o2 hours in Implicit Bias Awareness
    o2 hours in Cultural Competency
    o3 hours in Fair Housing
    o1 hour in Law of Agency
    o2.5 hours in Ethical Business Practices
    o1 hour in Legal Matters
•11 elective hours
 
First Time Renewal Requirements:
•Licensees renewing for the first time with an expiration date on or after September 21, 2022 will need 12.5 mandatory hours and 10 electives for a total of 22.5 hours. The required CE hours are as follows: 2 hours in Implicit Bias Awareness, 2 hours in Cultural Competency, 3 hours in Fair Housing, 2 hours in Law of Agency, 2.5 hours in Ethical Business Practices, 1 hour in Legal Matters, and 10 elective hours.
 
Seat Time: The New York Real Estate Division requires a timing device for all distance education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. Please note that your course will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity.
 
Final Exam: While students are required to demonstrate mastery of the content at certain levels of the course, there are no passing requirement for the final exam.
 
Required Course Affidavit: The New York Real Estate Division requires an affidavit at the conclusion of each course, certifying that no other person has assisted in the completion of the course in the licensee’s name. The affidavit may be electronically completed (e-signed).
 
Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary but are generally 6 months after enrollment date.
 
Certificate: With few exceptions, online course completion certificates are available for download at course conclusion and posted directly to your student dashboard.  
 

Online Limitations

There is no limit to the number of CE hours that may be taken online.

Roster

Roster Required: yes
Roster Process:

Rosters are sent by email each business day.

As per the state: We do not rely on rosters to determine renewal eligibility. The students/applicants must renew online. When completing the online renewal application, each student is asked, “Have you taken the required continuing education or are you exempt?” Yes or No… If the student answers yes, the renewal is processed without further action by the student. If they answer no, a hold is placed on the renewal which prevents issuance of the renewal license until the student submits proof of CE in certificate form. (Those answering yes may be randomly audited)

Roster Sent: Every 1 days

Governing Agency

Name: New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services
Phone: 5184744429
Fax: 5184736648
Address: Division of Licensing Services One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave Albany, 12231

New York Real Estate: All (Continuing Education)

Total Hours Required: 22.5
Mandatory Hours: 11.5
Elective Hours: 11
Renewal Cycle in Years: 2
Education Cycle in Months: 24

Online Info

Continuing Education and Renewal Date: Every two years, from the effective date of the license.
 
Hours Required by New York Real Estate Division: 22.5 hours
 
Real estate licensees submitting a renewal application for a license expiring on or after September 21, 2022:  
•11.5 mandatory hours
    o2 hours in Implicit Bias Awareness
    o2 hours in Cultural Competency
    o3 hours in Fair Housing
    o1 hour in Law of Agency
    o2.5 hours in Ethical Business Practices
    o1 hour in Legal Matters
•11 elective hours
 
First Time Renewal Requirements:
•Licensees renewing for the first time with an expiration date on or after September 21, 2022 will need 12.5 mandatory hours and 10 electives for a total of 22.5 hours. The required CE hours are as follows: 2 hours in Implicit Bias Awareness, 2 hours in Cultural Competency, 3 hours in Fair Housing, 2 hours in Law of Agency, 2.5 hours in Ethical Business Practices, 1 hour in Legal Matters, and 10 elective hours.
 
Seat Time: The New York Real Estate Division requires a timing device for all distance education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. Please note that your course will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity.
 
Final Exam: While students are required to demonstrate mastery of the content at certain levels of the course, there are no passing requirement for the final exam.
 
Required Course Affidavit: The New York Real Estate Division requires an affidavit at the conclusion of each course, certifying that no other person has assisted in the completion of the course in the licensee’s name. The affidavit may be electronically completed (e-signed).
 
Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary but are generally 6 months after enrollment date.
 
Certificate: With few exceptions, online course completion certificates are available for download at course conclusion and posted directly to your student dashboard.  
 

Online Limitations

There is no limit to the number of CE hours that may be taken online.

Roster

Roster Required: yes
Roster Process:

Rosters are sent by email each business day.

As per the state: We do not rely on rosters to determine renewal eligibility. The students/applicants must renew online. When completing the online renewal application, each student is asked, “Have you taken the required continuing education or are you exempt?” Yes or No… If the student answers yes, the renewal is processed without further action by the student. If they answer no, a hold is placed on the renewal which prevents issuance of the renewal license until the student submits proof of CE in certificate form. (Those answering yes may be randomly audited)

Roster Sent: Every 1 days

Governing Agency

Name: New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services
Phone: 5184744429
Fax: 5184736648
Address: Division of Licensing Services One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave Albany, 12231

Good to know

Other facts and insights about completing your CE

Note: This license renewal information is provided as a convenience only and is subject to change at any time. It's ultimately the responsibility of the licensee to be sure that he or she is meeting all requirements for each license and corresponding renewal period.