How to Obtain a New York Real Estate License

Practicing real estate in New York state can be lucrative, and rewarding in other ways as well. Helping people to buy or sell a home is personally gratifying, because you are helping families to achieve their goals. New York demands a high level of real estate education that includes studying professional ethics, real estate law and contracts, landlord-tenant issues, independent contracting, brokerage relationships, fiduciary duties and real estate procedures and regulations. The state also requires continuing education after you enter practice.

Things You'll Need

• Tuition
• $50 license application fee
• Government-issued photo identification

Instructions

1. Take the 75-hour New York state real estate salesperson's qualifying course from one of many state-approved schools (see the link in the Resource section below). You will have to pay tuition and must pass the course with a grade of at least 70, at which time you will qualify to take the state exam., The school will give you its own exam to ascertain whether or not you have mastered the material. You can take the course in a classroom or online.

2. Find a sponsoring broker; the state will not give you a license without one. Make appointments to visit brokerages with whom you would like to work. Discuss terms such as commission split, costs and office space with the broker. Some brokers charge a desk fee, and some do not.

3. Register to take the official real estate licensing examination given by the New York Department of State. You must do this online at eAccessNY (see the link in the Reference section below).

4. Take the examination at a test site that will be assigned to you when you register. You must show government-issued photo identification and the "Summary of Submission" that you were instructed to print out when you registered to take the examination. You will have 1 1/2 hours to complete the 75-question multiple-choice test and must receive at least a 70 to pass.

5. Apply for your license. You will need your state examination pass slip, and you must name a sponsoring broker. Also, you must be at least 18 years old, not be more than four months behind on child support payments and disclose your conviction record if you were ever convicted of a crime. The application fee is $50 (as of April 2010).

References

• New York State Association of Realtors: How Do I Become a Real Estate Agent?
• New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services: Real Estate Salesperson Exams
• Long Island Real Estate Training school: Real Estate Salesperson Course
• New York State: eAccessNY Occupational Licensing Management System

Resources

• New York Realtor Boards