New York licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in New York
A practical step-by-step guide to New York licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
New York licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 25, 2026
- License type
- Salesperson
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 77 hours
- Exam provider
- New York Department of State (eAccessNY system)
- Estimated cost
- $500–$900
- Estimated timeline
- 2–5 months
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
Salespersons must complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education within each two‑year license term, including 2 hours of cultural competency, 2 hours of implicit bias, 2.5 hours of ethical business practices, 1 hour of recent legal matters, 3 hours of fair housing/discrimination training and at least 1 hour of agency law (2 hours of agency law in the initial term).
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Meet eligibility requirements
Be at least 18 years old and have a current New York State photo ID.
Complete 77‑hour qualifying education
Take an approved 77‑hour real estate salesperson qualifying course at a licensed school.
Create eAccessNY account and schedule exam
Register for an eAccessNY account, pay the $15 examination fee and schedule the state exam at a Department of State test site.
Take and pass the exam
Bring appropriate ID to the test center and pass the multiple‑choice exam based on the 77‑hour curriculum; exam results are valid for two years.
Find a sponsoring broker and apply for license
Within two years of passing the exam, obtain sponsorship from a licensed New York real estate broker and submit the salesperson license application with the $65 fee through eAccessNY.
Complete continuing education
Every two years, complete 22.5 hours of continuing education covering cultural competency, implicit bias, ethics, legal issues, fair housing and agency law before renewing your license.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $500–$900. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing course | $200–$400 | Varies by school; covers the required 77‑hour curriculum. |
| Written exam fee | $15 | Fee to schedule the salesperson exam through eAccessNY. |
| Application/license fee | $65 | Initial application fee and two‑year license fee. |
| Fingerprinting | $100 | Approximate cost of fingerprinting and background check (third‑party service). |
| Continuing education | $100–$150 | Cost for a 22.5‑hour CE package every two years. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
How long is the New York real estate license valid?
The license term is two years; licensees must renew prior to expiration and complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education for each term.
Do I need a sponsoring broker to apply?
Yes. After passing the exam you must be sponsored by a licensed New York broker when submitting your license application.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.