How to Become a Realtor in New York (2026)

‹ Part of our national guide: How to Become a Realtor

Last updated: July 2026

Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent in New York

All New York Realtors are licensed real estate agents, but not all agents are Realtors. A New York real estate agent (salesperson) is licensed by the New York Department of State (DOS) to help people buy, sell, and lease property. A Realtor® is a DOS-licensed agent who has also joined the National Association of Realtors through a local board and NYSAR, and pledged to uphold the NAR Code of Ethics. “Realtor” is a registered trademark reserved for NAR members — not a generic word for any New York agent.

How to Become a Realtor in New York: 5 Steps

1. Complete 77 hours of DOS pre-license education. The New York salesperson qualifying course — 100% online and self-paced with MLS Campus.
2. Apply and pass the New York state exam. Register with the Department of State and pass the New York salesperson exam.
3. Find a sponsoring broker. Your salesperson license must be sponsored by a licensed New York broker before you can work.
4. Activate your license with the Department of State. Submit your application through eAccessNY to activate your license.
5. Join a local Realtor association. Joining a local board enrolls you in NYSAR and NAR, and lets you use the Realtor® title after agreeing to the Code of Ethics.

New York Real Estate License Requirements

To earn your New York salesperson license you must be at least 18 years old, complete the 77 hours of Department of State-approved pre-license education, pass the state exam, and be sponsored by a licensed New York broker. New York does not require a separate post-license course — instead, you renew every two years and complete 22.5 hours of continuing education each cycle (including fair housing, implicit bias, agency, and legal-update topics). For the full step-by-step, see how to get your New York real estate license.

Joining NYSAR & Your Local Association

Realtor membership in New York is three-tiered. When you join a local Realtor association — such as the Long Island Board of Realtors (LIBOR), Hudson Gateway, or boards serving Buffalo and the Capital Region — you automatically become a member of the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR) and the National Association of Realtors. One application, three levels of membership, and access to the tools and MLS in your market.

Benefits of Becoming a New York Realtor

Beyond the title, Realtor membership comes with practical advantages New York agents rely on every day:

• MLS access in your local market — the database that powers New York real estate sales
• The Realtor® brand and the consumer trust it carries
• The NAR Code of Ethics — a standard that goes beyond New York license law
• Advocacy for New York property rights (NYSAR is one of the state’s most active advocacy organizations)
• Education, designations, and certifications (ABR, GRI, CRS and more)
• Market data, research, member discounts, and a statewide referral network

Do New York Realtors Earn More?

According to NAR’s 2025 Member Profile, the median gross income of a Realtor was $58,100 — and Realtors with 16 or more years of experience earned a median of $78,900, while brand-new agents earned far less as they build their business. Industry data also suggests Realtors typically out-earn non-member agents, often by 15–25%, largely because membership brings MLS access, referral networks, and repeat business that drive more closed deals.

Your income depends most on your experience, effort, and market — and New York’s high-value markets can mean strong commissions. For New York numbers, see how much New York real estate agents make and real estate agent salaries by state.

The Training & Education Behind a New York Realtor

Becoming a Realtor in New York is a path of ongoing training — and it starts with your license:

• Pre-license education (77 hours): completed 100% online with our New York salesperson course.
• Continuing education (22.5 hours every 2 years): including fair housing, implicit bias, and agency — see our New York CE.
• Realtor-only education: once you are a member, NYSAR and NAR offer designations and certifications (ABR, GRI, CRS, SRS) plus Code of Ethics training every three years.

Higher Ethical Standards: State Law vs. the Realtor Code of Ethics

Getting a New York license and becoming a Realtor are two different bars. A license is the state minimum: every New York agent must follow Department of State license law and the fiduciary duties they owe clients — often remembered as OLD CAR (Obedience, Loyalty, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Accounting, and Reasonable care). Realtor® status adds a higher, voluntary standard: the NAR Code of Ethics, first adopted in 1913, with 17 Articles covering duties to clients, the public, and other Realtors — enforced by local associations, with real consequences for violations, plus ethics training every three years.

Want the detail on the agency duties every licensee owes? See our guide to real estate fiduciary duties (the OLD CAR acronym).

New York Realtor Dues & Costs

Realtors in New York pay national NAR dues ($156 per year plus a $45 Consumer Advertising assessment for 2026), NYSAR state dues, and local association dues, which vary by board. These are on top of your Department of State license fees and continuing-education costs — and in return you get the MLS, the brand, advocacy, education, and referral network described above.

How Many Realtors Are in New York? (2026)

Figures from NYSAR and NAR (2024–2026 Member Profile).

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start? Enroll in the New York salesperson course, or see how to get your New York real estate license and how to become a Realtor nationwide.