To become a licensed real estate salesperson in New York, you need to meet a set of requirements set by the New York Department of State. The process involves meeting basic eligibility criteria, completing a pre-licensing education course, passing a written licensing exam, and submitting a license application through a sponsoring broker.
This guide covers each step in order.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Before you can apply for a NY real estate salesperson license, you must meet these minimum requirements:
Age — You must be at least 18 years old
Legal presence — You must be legally authorized to work in the United States
No disqualifying criminal history — Certain criminal convictions may affect your eligibility. The Department of State reviews applications on a case-by-case basis
There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in New York to obtain a NY real estate salesperson license.
Pre-Licensing Education
New York requires all real estate salesperson applicants to complete a state-approved 77-hour pre-licensing education course before sitting for the licensing exam.
The 77-hour course covers:
Law of agency
Legal issues in real estate
The contract of sale and leases
Mortgage brokerage and finance
Land use regulations and property valuation
Human rights and fair housing
Real estate mathematics
The role of the salesperson
Courses are available in person, online, and in hybrid formats through schools approved by the Department of State. Completing the course earns you a certificate of completion that is required to register for the licensing exam.
The NY Real Estate Licensing Exam
After completing the 77-hour pre-licensing course, you must pass the NY real estate salesperson licensing exam.
Key details about the exam:
Questions — 75 multiple-choice questions
Time limit — 90 minutes
Passing score — 70% or higher (at least 53 correct answers)
Administered by — PSI Exams, on behalf of the New York Department of State
Location — At PSI testing centers throughout New York State
Cost — $15 per attempt
You schedule your exam appointment directly through PSI after your pre-licensing school submits your course completion record. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can reschedule and retake the exam.
The exam covers seven main topic areas: agency, contracts, property ownership, financing, fair housing, real estate math, and NY license law. Questions are distributed across all seven areas.
After You Pass — Applying for Your License
Passing the exam does not automatically issue your license. After passing, you must:
Find a sponsoring broker — New York requires all new salespersons to be sponsored by a licensed real estate broker. You cannot practice independently as a salesperson. Your sponsoring broker submits your license application on your behalf.
Submit your application — The license application is submitted through the NY Department of State eAccessNY system. Your broker will initiate this process.
Pay the license fee — The license fee is $65 for a two-year license.
Receive your license — Once approved, your license is issued through eAccessNY. You can begin working under your sponsoring broker’s supervision immediately.
License Renewal
NY real estate salesperson licenses are valid for two years. To renew, you must complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education before your license expires. At least 3 of those hours must cover fair housing and/or discrimination in the sale or rental of real property.
Renewal is done through the eAccessNY system. The renewal fee is $65.
If your license expires before you renew, you will need to reapply and meet the requirements again — so staying on top of renewal deadlines is important.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
The timeline depends largely on how quickly you complete the pre-licensing course:
Complete 77-hour pre-licensing course — 3–8 weeks depending on format
Schedule and sit for licensing exam — 1–2 weeks after course completion
License application processing — 1–2 weeks after passing
Total from start to license — 5–12 weeks
Online pre-licensing courses allow you to move faster since you can complete modules at your own pace. In-person courses follow a fixed schedule.
How to Prepare for the Licensing Exam
The licensing exam is where most applicants spend the most preparation time. The 77-hour pre-licensing course covers the material, but many candidates find that additional practice testing significantly improves their score.
The most effective preparation approach:
Take a short diagnostic test to identify your weak topic areas before you study
Review topic areas using flashcards, focusing on agency law, contracts, and real estate math
Take full-length 75-question practice tests under timed conditions
Review every question you missed and understand why the correct answer is correct
Repeat until you are consistently scoring above 80% on practice tests
Our free 10-question diagnostic test is a good starting point before committing to a full study plan. For comprehensive preparation, our NY Real Estate Practice Tests include three full-length 75-question tests with instant answer review and unlimited retakes — $17.99 one-time.
You can also study individual topic areas using our free NY Real Estate flashcards before moving to full practice tests.
For a detailed study strategy, see our guide: How to Prepare for the NY Real Estate Exam.
For a full overview of fair housing rules you will be tested on, see: Fair Housing Laws: What NY Real Estate Agents Need to Know
Practice Exam Hub is not affiliated with the New York Department of State, PSI Exams, or any licensing authority. This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. Requirements may change — always verify current requirements directly with the New York Department of State.
Also see: How Many Questions Are on the NY Real Estate Exam — a quick breakdown of the exam format, topic areas, and pacing strategy.
New to the process? See our step-by-step guide: How to Get a Real Estate License in New York
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