How to Find a New York Approved Real Estate School

A provider's website, ads or national accreditation don't count as New York approval. The school, the course and the delivery method all have to line up in the DOS record.

The short verification checklist

Before paying, confirm all six items:

1. the provider appears in the official DOS school search
2. the legal school name matches the provider you are paying
3. the approved course is the 77-hour salesperson qualifying course
4. the listed delivery method matches online self-paced, live remote or classroom instruction offered
5. the location or course record is currently approved
6. the school will issue the required New York course-completion certificate after successful completion

Save the result and the date you checked it.

Official source map

The DOS Become a Real Estate Salesperson page links both approved qualifying-education schools and the eAccessNY school search.

The DOS Real Estate Course Providers page publishes the current qualifying-school list separately from the continuing-education list.

The DOS salesperson FAQ gives the eAccessNY search steps. It says students can search a school or course by name, license type, license or course-code number, city or county.

New York's course regulations govern approval, course content, attendance, delivery and completion certificates. The current qualifying-course application recognizes:

• classroom instruction
• asynchronous distance learning
• synchronous live distance education with an instructor

So approval is more specific than "this company sells real estate classes."

Method 1: use the DOS provider list

Start on the official Real Estate Course Providers page and find the heading Approved Real Estate Qualifying Education Schools.

This is the right list for a first salesperson license. A provider that shows up only under continuing education isn't enough: CE renews an existing license, while qualifying education gets you the first one.

Record:

• exact school name
• address
• telephone number
• any delivery description shown
• date of your check

Then confirm the exact course with the provider and, when needed, through eAccessNY.

Why a static list is not the only check

A school can offer more than one course, delivery format or location. An official list proves that DOS recognizes the school in the listed category, but the detailed eAccessNY record can show which courses and locations are currently approved.

Reading is the first step

Turn what you read into something you can recall.

Start with the free website diagnostic to find a useful next subject. For a longer review routine, the Pass New York app keeps missed questions and study progress together. Download it free and explore the included features before deciding on full access.

Try the free diagnosticExplore the free app

Method 2: search eAccessNY

The DOS FAQ gives these steps for checking a specific school:

1. open Public License Search from the eAccessNY public-services menu
2. choose Search by Name
3. choose Search by Organization
4. select the number of rows to display and run the search
5. enter the school name
6. select the correct organization
7. review the license details, approved courses and approved locations

Search with the school's legal name when possible. A marketing brand may differ from the registered organization.

If the name does not appear

Try:

• removing punctuation
• using the legal company name from checkout or terms
• searching by city or county
• asking the provider for its DOS school code and approved course code
• contacting DOS before paying

If the school doesn't show up, "we're approved nationwide" is not an answer. New York approval is state-specific.

Verify the exact course, not only the school

A school may offer:

• salesperson qualifying education
• broker qualifying education
• continuing education
• exam preparation
• professional development that carries no licensing credit

Only the approved qualifying course satisfies the initial education requirement.

Qualifying course versus exam prep

The 77-hour qualifying course is required education with prescribed content, attendance and successful-completion rules. Exam prep is optional practice and review.

A question bank, video subscription or study app (including ours) can help you pass, but it isn't a qualifying school and doesn't earn course credit unless DOS approved that exact offering.

Qualifying course versus continuing education

Continuing education is primarily for licensed people completing renewal education. A school can be approved for CE without being approved to issue the 77-hour salesperson qualifying certificate.

Read the heading and course name, not just the provider logo.

Verify the delivery format

Asynchronous distance learning

This is commonly described as self-paced online education. The course system controls progress, participation and required learning activities without a live instructor presenting every session.

Confirm:

• whether access expires
• device and browser requirements
• identity or participation checks
• whether lessons must be completed in sequence
• instructor or support availability
• final-exam process

Synchronous live distance education

This is live remote instruction with an instructor on a schedule. It may require attendance at set times, camera or participation rules and make-up procedures.

Confirm the time zone and full calendar before enrolling.

Classroom instruction

Confirm the approved physical location, schedule, attendance rule, accessibility and make-up policy.

Approval for one mode doesn't automatically cover another. Verify the version you'll actually take.

What to ask the school before paying

Send the questions in writing:

1. What is your exact DOS-approved school name and code?
2. Is this exact product the New York 77-hour salesperson qualifying course?
3. Is it approved as classroom, live remote or asynchronous distance learning?
4. What is the course-access or completion deadline?
5. What attendance and identity-verification rules apply?
6. How is the school final administered?
7. What happens after an unsuccessful school-final attempt?
8. When and how is the completion certificate issued?
9. What is included in tuition, and which fees are separate?
10. What refund or transfer policy applies after access begins?

A good school answers these clearly and never blurs the state exam, the school final and optional exam prep into one product.

How to compare approved schools

Once approval is verified, compare fit rather than advertising volume.

Approval is the minimum gate. It does not prove that every approved school has the same teaching quality, service or student experience.

Warning signs

Pause before paying when a provider:

• refuses to give its DOS school or course code
• appears only on a continuing-education list
• calls an exam-prep package the required 77-hour course without official proof
• says national accreditation automatically means New York approval
• promises a license upon course completion
• promises a particular state-exam result
• hides the legal entity receiving payment
• cannot explain how the completion certificate is issued
• pressures you to pay before you can review refund and access terms
• offers only a screenshot of an old approval

An old certificate or cached webpage does not establish current approval. Use the present DOS record.

School final, state exam and license application

The steps remain separate:

1. complete the approved 77-hour course
2. satisfy the provider's successful-completion requirements and receive the course certificate
3. pass the New York state salesperson examination
4. apply through the current DOS process with a sponsoring broker
5. wait for license issuance before performing licensed activity

The school does not issue the New York salesperson license. DOS does.

The school final is part of qualifying education. The state exam is administered as a separate state licensing requirement. Passing one does not mean you passed the other.

Protect your records

Save:

• provider's legal name and school code
• saved copy or screenshot of the official approval result and the date checked
• enrollment terms
• payment receipt
• course-start and completion dates
• support correspondence
• official completion certificate
• any approved accommodation record

Check name spelling before the certificate is issued. It should match the identification and application record.

If a certificate is lost, the DOS FAQ tells students to ask the school for a duplicate. Schools only have to keep completion records for three years, though, so keep your own digital copy.

What if approval changes while I am enrolled?

Don't rely on a marketing email for the answer. Save your enrollment date, approval evidence, progress and communications, then ask the school and DOS how your enrollment will be handled.

The outcome can depend on the approval action, effective date and student's status. This is why verifying before enrollment and completing without unnecessary delay are useful safeguards.

What if the school is outside New York?

A physical address outside New York does not automatically make a provider ineligible. The official DOS list includes approved organizations with out-of-state addresses.

The question is whether DOS approved the provider and exact New York offering, not where the company's headquarters are located.

Four student scenarios

Scenario 1: provider appears only under CE

Jordan finds the company on the continuing-education list and buys a “New York license package.”

Best next step: Stop and verify that the exact 77-hour qualifying course is separately approved. CE approval alone is not enough.

Scenario 2: approved school, wrong product

An approved school sells a 77-hour course and a low-cost practice-question subscription. Mei buys only the questions.

Result: The provider may be approved, but the purchased product is exam prep, not qualifying education.

Scenario 3: online mode mismatch

The official record shows a live remote course, but the checkout page promises an entirely self-paced course.

Best next step: Ask for the approved course and mode codes, save the response and confirm with DOS before paying.

Scenario 4: school name mismatch

The website uses one brand, payment goes to another company and the official list shows a third name.

Best next step: Ask the provider to document the legal relationship and official school code. Don't assume the brands are interchangeable.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find New York approved real estate schools?

Use the Department of State Real Estate Course Providers page or the eAccessNY Public License Search linked from the Become a Real Estate Salesperson page.

Is every online New York real estate course DOS approved?

No. Verify the school, exact 77-hour qualifying course and approved distance-learning mode in the current official record.

Does an approved exam-prep app satisfy the 77-hour education requirement?

Exam prep does not satisfy qualifying education unless the exact offering is approved and documented as the New York 77-hour salesperson qualifying course.

Is a continuing-education school automatically a qualifying school?

No. DOS maintains separate qualifying and continuing-education listings. A provider may appear in one category or both.

Can a New York approved school be based in another state?

Yes. DOS's official list includes some providers with out-of-state addresses. Current New York approval of the provider and course is what matters.

Should I choose the cheapest approved course?

Price is one factor. Compare total fees, access period, instruction, support, final-exam process, accessibility, certificate timing and refund terms.

Does DOS approval mean the school will help me pass the state exam?

No. Approval means the course meets New York's qualifying-education requirements. It doesn't promise a result or mean every teaching format suits every student.

What proof should I keep?

Keep the official approval result, enrollment terms, receipt, progress records and completion certificate. An unused 77-hour course stays valid for eight years, and schools only have to keep records for three, so your own copy matters.

Who should I contact if the school and official record conflict?

Contact the school for its DOS codes and then the New York Department of State Division of Licensing Services for authoritative confirmation before enrolling.

Continue your licensing plan

After choosing a provider, review what the New York 77-hour course covers and whether the course certificate expires. Then use the New York salesperson licensing guide for the state exam, broker sponsorship and application.

Use the 19-subject study guide and free practice sampler as exam preparation, not as a substitute for approved qualifying education.

Sources and verification notes

School and course approvals can change, so repeat the official search immediately before enrollment.

• New York Department of State, Become a Real Estate Salesperson
• New York Department of State, Real Estate Course Providers
• New York Department of State, Real Estate Salesperson Frequently Asked Questions
• New York Department of State, Real Estate Qualifying Course Approval Application
• New York Department of State, Real Estate License Law and course regulations