| Requirement | New York |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 77 hours |
| Exam administrator | State exam (DOS) |
| License / application fee | $65 (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)) |
| Exam fee | $15 (commission website, crawled Jul 2026) |
| Regulator | New York Department of State (DOS) |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 8,660 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | $102,990 |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in New York
To get a New York real estate salesperson license you complete 77 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the State exam (DOS)-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The New York Department of State (DOS) sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a New York real estate license?
New York requires 77 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the State exam (DOS) salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.
What are the steps to get licensed in New York?
Getting licensed in New York takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 77 hours of pre-license education, pass the State exam (DOS) exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the New York Department of State (DOS).
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the New York Department of State (DOS) lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 77 hours of pre-license education
New York requires 77 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the New York salesperson exam
The exam is administered by State exam (DOS) and covers national real estate principles plus New York law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the New York Department of State (DOS).
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new New York salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.
6/ 6
Apply and activate the license
File the application and pay the license fee to the New York Department of State (DOS), then activate under your broker.
How much does a New York real estate license cost?
New York's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: $65 license/application fee (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)); $15 exam fee (commission website, crawled Jul 2026). Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the New York Department of State (DOS) before applying.
How much do licensed agents earn in New York?
Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in New York earned a median of $102,990 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $48,350. See the full New York agent salary breakdown.
What are New York’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 28 New York housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $282,088 as of September 2026, from $179,450 in Elmira to $2.97M in The Hamptons; 11 of 28 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $742,000 | -2.3% | 56 | 38,158 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $567,000 | +3.2% | 58 | 2,098 |
| Buffalo, NY | $267,450 | -2.7% | 44 | 1,856 |
| Albany, NY | $419,975 | -3.9% | 54 | 1,703 |
| Rochester, NY | $298,350 | +4.7% | 34 | 1,198 |
All tracked markets: New York housing market hub.
New York real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in New York?
New York requires 77 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of New York Department of State (DOS) requirements.
How much does a New York real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: $65 license/application fee (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)); $15 exam fee (commission website, crawled Jul 2026). Course tuition varies by school. The New York Department of State (DOS) publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the New York real estate exam?
State exam (DOS) administers the New York salesperson exam.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in New York?
No. New York requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in New York?
The New York Department of State (DOS) licenses and regulates New York real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the New York Department of State (DOS) before enrolling.