Requirements, steps, costs and timeline, in one place
Everything you need to get your New York real estate license as a salesperson: the 77-hour course, the state exam, eAccessNY and your sponsoring broker.
Start Your 77-Hour Course — from $119 →Getting a New York real estate license comes down to four things: 77 hours of approved education, a passing result on the state exam, a sponsoring broker, and an online application to the New York Department of State (DOS). This guide explains how to get a real estate license in NY step by step, what it costs, how long it takes, and what you need to do after you’re licensed as a salesperson (New York’s term for a new real estate agent). The process is the same whether you plan to work in New York City, on Long Island or upstate.
MLS Campus has taught real estate licensing courses online since 2014, and most of the questions our students ask come down to the same few things: what order to do things in, what it costs, and how long it takes. This guide answers all three, using the Department of State’s own rules.
MLS Campus is a New York Department of State approved real estate school (approval number D01065). Our 77-hour salesperson course is 100% online and self-paced and covers all 19 subjects in the DOS curriculum, from license law and agency to fair housing, finance and real estate math.
Real Estate License NY Requirements
To qualify for a New York real estate license as a salesperson, the Department of State requires the following.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 or older |
| Qualifying education | 77 hours of DOS-approved salesperson education, plus the school’s proctored final exam |
| State exam | Pass the New York State real estate salesperson exam ($15), scheduled through eAccessNY |
| Sponsoring broker | A licensed New York broker must sponsor you and authorize your application online |
| Photo ID | A current New York State driver’s license or non-driver ID. Without one, you’ll visit a DMV office to have your license photo taken |
| Application | Online through eAccessNY, $65 (non-refundable) |
Which Path Is Right for You?
| Your situation | Your route to a New York real estate license |
|---|---|
| New to real estate, studying full-time | Complete the 77 hours (about 2–3 weeks full-time), pass the school final, then book the state exam in eAccessNY. 77-hour course → |
| Studying part-time around a job | Plan on 4–8 weeks for the course. Online study fits around work, and audio lets you learn on the go. 77-hour course → |
| Licensed in another state | New York has no license reciprocity. You can ask DOS for an education waiver based on your out-of-state course, but you’ll still pass the New York exam. Out-of-state applicants → |
| Took the old 75-hour course | DOS says you’ll also need a 2-hour continuing education course on fair housing and/or implicit bias before you apply. Mistakes to avoid → |
| Have a criminal record | The application asks about convictions, and DOS reviews each case. Criminal record → |
| Already a licensed New York salesperson | Complete 22.5 hours of continuing education every two years, and look at the broker path after two years. 22.5-hour CE → · become a broker → |
| Your license has expired | DOS lets you renew up to two years after the expiration date, with your CE completed. After you’re licensed → |
How to Get a Real Estate License in NY: 6 Steps
Follow these six steps, in this order, to earn your New York salesperson license and start working as a real estate agent.
Complete the 77-hour salesperson course
Enroll with a DOS-approved school and complete the 77-hour qualifying course, then pass the school’s proctored final exam. The course follows the DOS curriculum: 19 subjects, including license law, agency, contracts, finance, fair housing and real estate math.
You can take the course in a classroom or online. Every approved course covers the same curriculum, so the choice comes down to how you learn best. With MLS Campus, all 77 hours are fully online and you can read, listen or watch the lessons. Keep your course completion certificate; schools only have to keep records for three years.
Create an eAccessNY account and book the state exam
Pass the New York State salesperson exam
Find a sponsoring broker
Apply for your license in eAccessNY
Start working and plan for renewal
The New York Real Estate Exam: Format, Fee and What It Covers
The exam is the last big hurdle to your New York real estate license. It’s a multiple-choice test based on the 77-hour curriculum, and you have 1½ hours to finish it. DOS reports results as pass or fail only, with no numerical score, and a passing result stays valid for two years.
DOS doesn’t publish the number of questions or a passing score, so be wary of guides that quote exact figures as official. What DOS does publish is the curriculum the exam is based on: these 19 subjects and their hours.
| Subject | Hours |
|---|---|
| License law and regulations | 3 |
| Law of agency | 11 |
| Legal issues | 10 |
| The contract of sales and leases | 3 |
| Real estate finance | 5 |
| Land use regulations | 3 |
| Construction and environmental issues | 5 |
| Valuation process and pricing properties | 3 |
| Human rights and fair housing | 6 |
| Real estate mathematics | 1 |
| Municipal agencies | 2 |
| Property insurance | 1 |
| Licensee safety | 1 |
| Taxes and assessments | 3 |
| Condominiums and cooperatives | 4 |
| Commercial and investment properties | 10 |
| Income tax issues in real estate transactions | 3 |
| Mortgage brokerage | 1 |
| Property management | 2 |
| Total | 77 |
Source: NYS Real Estate Salesperson 77-Hour Curriculum, New York Department of State. The course also ends with a 3-hour school final exam, which isn’t part of the 77 hours.
Agency, legal issues and commercial and investment properties together make up almost half the course, so give them extra practice time, along with fair housing and real estate math.
Exam Day: What to Expect
- Schedule online in eAccessNY. You can reschedule up to six days before your exam date.
- Bring current photo ID. DOS says your ID must be photo-bearing and not expired.
- Need testing accommodations? Don’t book online; call DOS at 518-474-4429 first.
- Check your results in eAccessNY. DOS doesn’t give results by phone; “Waiting for Score” means they haven’t been processed yet.
How Much Does a New York Real Estate License Cost?
| Cost | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| 77-hour qualifying education | from $119 | Your school (MLS Campus Basic package) |
| State salesperson exam | $15 | NY Department of State |
| License application | $65 | NY Department of State |
| Estimated total | about $199 | plus optional exam prep |
Fees current as of October 2026. Each exam retake costs another $15, and the application fee isn’t refundable. DOS’s list of salesperson requirements doesn’t include fingerprinting, so you won’t see a fingerprint fee here, even though some older guides list one.
Study online at your own pace and get ready for the New York State exam.
How Long Does It Take to Get a New York Real Estate License?
Most people get their New York real estate license in 1 to 3 months. It depends mostly on how fast you finish the course and how soon you can book an exam:
- Weeks 1–3: complete the 77 hours and the school final (about 2–3 weeks full-time; longer part-time).
- Weeks 3–6: book and pass the state exam in eAccessNY.
- Weeks 4–8: find a sponsoring broker, apply in eAccessNY, and have your broker authorize the application.
- After approval: DOS mails your license to your business address.
The best way to avoid delays with your New York real estate license is to start talking to brokers while you’re still studying, so your sponsor is ready when you pass.
Mistakes That Delay a New York Real Estate License
- Booking the state exam too early. You need to pass the school’s proctored final first.
- Letting your exam result expire. A pass is only valid for two years, so apply well within that window.
- Applying without a sponsor lined up. Your application can’t go through until your principal broker authorizes it.
- Bringing expired ID to the exam. DOS requires current, photo-bearing identification.
- Missing the extra course after the old 75-hour curriculum. DOS requires a 2-hour fair housing and/or implicit bias course for those applicants.
- Losing your course certificate. Schools only keep completion records for three years.
- Leaving CE to the last minute. All 22.5 hours must be completed within each two-year license term.
Can You Get Licensed With a Criminal Record?
A criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you from a New York real estate license. The application asks about criminal convictions, and the Department of State reviews the details of each case. Answer every question fully and honestly; if you’re unsure how your history could affect you, contact DOS Licensing Services at 518-474-4429 before you apply.
What If You Fail the Exam?
If you fail, you can schedule another exam through your eAccessNY account; each attempt costs $15. Because DOS reports pass or fail only, use your course quizzes and practice exams to find your weak areas, then practise with timed exams before you rebook.
New York Real Estate License Reciprocity: Licensed in Another State?
New York has no license reciprocity with any other state. If you completed real estate education elsewhere, you can send DOS a written request for an education waiver with proof of completion, a course description and an outline of the topics and hours. Home-study courses aren’t accepted, and if a waiver is granted you still have to pass the New York State exam and apply through DOS. See the DOS salesperson FAQ.
If your out-of-state course doesn’t qualify, the quickest route is usually to take the New York 77-hour course online, which also prepares you for the New York exam.
After You’re Licensed: CE and Renewal
Getting your New York real estate license starts a two-year term. To renew, you complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education within each term and stay sponsored by a broker. The renewal fee is $65, and you can renew online up to three months before your license expires.
| Required CE topic | Hours |
|---|---|
| Fair housing and/or discrimination | 3 |
| Ethical business practices | 2.5 |
| Implicit bias | 2 |
| Cultural competency | 2 |
| Law of agency (2 hours at your first renewal) | 1 |
| Recent legal matters | 1 |
The remaining hours are approved electives. Source: DOS salesperson FAQ.
Salesperson, Broker or Realtor®?
- Salesperson: the first New York real estate license. You work as a real estate agent under a sponsoring broker.
- Broker: the next step, after at least two years as a licensed salesperson (3,500 experience points) and 152 hours of education (the 77 hours plus a 75-hour broker course). See how to get a broker license in NY.
- Realtor®: not a license. It’s membership of the National Association of REALTORS®, which you can join once licensed. See how to become a Realtor® in New York.
How to Look Up a License
Once your license is issued, you can look it up with the Department of State’s license search, by name or license number. Clients and brokers use the same search, so keep your details current.
Why Get a Real Estate License in New York?
New York combines some of the most valuable property in the country with a huge variety of markets, from Manhattan rentals and co-ops to Long Island, Westchester and upstate homes. Income is commission-based, so earnings depend on the deals you close.
Salary data: ZipRecruiter (2026). Individual results vary. More detail: New York real estate agent salary.
Tips for Passing the New York Real Estate Exam
- Set a schedule. Block regular study time each week; online study fits around a job.
- Focus on the big subjects. Agency, legal issues and commercial and investment properties carry the most course hours.
- Practise under exam conditions. Timed practice exams are the best preparation for passing on your first attempt.
- Book the exam while it’s fresh. Schedule it soon after you pass the school final.
- Line up your broker early. A ready sponsor means you can apply as soon as you pass.
New York Real Estate License FAQ
Tap a question to see the answer.
How do I get a real estate license in NY?
Complete the 77-hour DOS-approved course and school final, pass the New York State salesperson exam ($15), find a sponsoring broker, and apply online through eAccessNY ($65). Your broker then authorizes the application.
How much does a New York real estate license cost?
About $199 in total: the 77-hour course from $119, the $15 state exam and the $65 license application.
How long does it take to get a New York real estate license?
Most people finish in 1–3 months, depending on study pace, exam availability and finding a sponsoring broker.
How many hours is the New York real estate course?
77 hours of DOS-approved qualifying education, followed by a 3-hour school final exam that isn’t counted in the 77.
Can I take the New York real estate course online?
Yes. The 77 hours can be completed fully online and self-paced through a DOS-approved school such as MLS Campus. The state exam is taken in person.
How many questions are on the NY real estate exam?
DOS doesn’t publish the number of questions or a passing score. It says the exam is multiple choice, based on the 77-hour curriculum, and gives you 1½ hours.
How much is the New York real estate exam?
$15 per attempt, paid when you schedule through eAccessNY.
What happens if I fail the NY real estate exam?
Schedule another exam through your eAccessNY account and pay the $15 fee again. Results are pass or fail only.
How long are NY real estate exam results valid?
Two years. Apply for your license within two years of passing.
Do I need a sponsoring broker to get licensed in New York?
Yes. A salesperson must be sponsored by a licensed New York broker, who authorizes your application in eAccessNY.
Do I need a high school diploma for a New York real estate license?
No. DOS doesn’t list a high school diploma or GED among the salesperson requirements.
Does New York have real estate license reciprocity?
No. DOS has no reciprocity with any other state. You can request an education waiver for an out-of-state course, but you must still pass the New York exam.
Can I get a New York real estate license with a criminal record?
Possibly. The application asks about convictions, and DOS reviews each case. A record doesn’t automatically disqualify you.
How often do I renew a New York real estate license?
Every two years, with 22.5 hours of continuing education, including fair housing, implicit bias, cultural competency, ethics, agency and recent legal matters.
Start Your New York Real Estate Career Today
MLS Campus is a New York Department of State approved real estate school (D01065), established in 2014, that has helped tens of thousands of students start their real estate careers. Take all 77 hours online, at your own pace, with read, listen and watch options.
- How to get a real estate license: state-by-state guide
- How to become a Realtor® in New York
- How to get a broker license in NY
- Tips for choosing a sponsoring broker in New York
- New York real estate courses
Ready to get your New York real estate license?
Study online at your own pace with state-approved, instructor-supported courses. Browse the New York packages or head back to our homepage to explore everything MLS Campus offers.