Licensing & state law

How to become a real estate agent in New York

To get a New York real estate license you must be 18+, complete 77 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the State exam (DOS) salesperson exam, clear a background check and join a sponsoring broker. Expect to spend about $831–$1,662 and 2–5 months. Requirements are set by the New York Department of State (DOS).

DABy Diego Alvarez-Cruz
Rental Market Analyst
NWReviewed by Naomi Whitfield
Real Estate Data Analyst
Published May 20, 2026 · Updated July 8, 2026
Pre-license hours
77
State-approved
Licensing exam
State exam (DOS)
Salesperson
Est. all-in cost
$831+
Course + fees
Typical timeline
2–5 mo
To activation
The New York path, step by step
1/ 6

Meet the basic eligibility

Be at least 18 years old and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent. Some steps in New York also require legal U.S. residency or work authorization.

2/ 6

Complete 77 hours of approved pre-license education

New York requires 77 classroom or online hours from a state-approved real estate school before you can sit for the exam.

3/ 6

Pass the New York licensing exam

Sit the salesperson exam (State exam (DOS)). It covers national real estate principles plus New York-specific law. Most candidates need a scaled score around 70–75% to pass.

4/ 6

Complete a background check / fingerprinting

Submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check as required by the New York Department of State (DOS).

5/ 6

Find a sponsoring broker

A new New York salesperson must hang their license with a licensed sponsoring broker before they can practice.

6/ 6

Submit your application & activate

File your license application and fees with the New York Department of State (DOS), then activate under your broker to start representing clients.

Official source

New York Department of State (DOS)

Visit →

A New York real estate license lets you represent buyers and sellers and earn commission on closed transactions. Once licensed, see what agents actually earn in New York agent salary, and explore the state's active markets below. Licensing rules change — always confirm the current requirements directly with the New York Department of State (DOS).

New York markets
New York, NY real estate market→Rochester, NY real estate market→Buffalo, NY real estate market→Albany, NY real estate market→The Hamptons, NY real estate market→

New York real estate license FAQ

How many hours of education do you need to get a real estate license in New York?
New York requires 77 hours of state-approved pre-license education before you can take the salesperson exam. The coursework covers national real estate principles plus New York-specific law and can be completed in a classroom or online through a state-approved school.
How much does a New York real estate license cost?
Budget roughly $831–$1,662 all-in for New York. That covers pre-license coursework, the exam fee, fingerprinting and background check, and the application and licensing fees. Exact amounts are set by the New York Department of State (DOS) and vary by school.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in New York?
Most people finish the 77-hour New York coursework, pass the salesperson exam and activate under a broker in about 2–5 months. Your pace through the required hours and exam scheduling are the two biggest factors in how fast you finish.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in New York?
No. New York does not require a college degree to become a licensed real estate agent. You need to be at least 18, hold a high-school diploma or equivalent, and complete the 77 hours of approved pre-license education before sitting the exam.
Who regulates real estate agents in New York?
The New York Department of State (DOS) issues licenses and sets the rules for New York real estate salespeople and brokers, including education, exam, background-check and renewal requirements. It is the authoritative source for current New York licensing rules.
Pre-license hours and the regulating authority for New York are compiled from public state requirements and can change. Cost and timeline are estimates. Always verify current rules with the New York Department of State (DOS) before enrolling.
NW

Naomi Whitfield Real Estate Data Analyst

Naomi Whitfield is a real estate data analyst who builds metro-level price, inventory and days-on-market datasets from public MLS aggregates and county records. She reviews WealthyBud's market pages for data accuracy before they publish.