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How to get your New York real estate salesperson license.

For the standard first-time pathway, complete the approved 77-hour course and school final, pass the $15 state exam, choose a sponsoring broker, then apply for $65 and wait for the license to issue. Older coursework, education waivers, and certain applicants follow different instructions below.

See all six steps Understand the exam

Quick answer

How do you get a New York real estate salesperson license?

For the standard first-time pathway, be at least 18, complete an approved 77-hour salesperson course and its proctored school exam, pass the separate Department of State written exam, choose a sponsoring New York broker, and submit the $65 application with the required identification. Wait for the license to issue before doing licensed work. The state written exam currently costs $15. See the special pathways below for exceptions.

Verified starting facts

What the license requires and what the state charges.

Start from where you are

Choose the next step that matches your progress.

Already partway through? Skip ahead to the step you are on.

1I still need the 77-hour courseCheck the Department of State provider list before paying a school.View approved providers 2I am taking the courseStudy the same 19 curriculum subjects while keeping the school exam and state exam separate.Open the study guide 3I am ready for the state examReview scheduling, identification, timing, permitted calculators, and exam-day rules.Plan for exam day 4I passed the state examCompare brokerages before choosing the sponsoring broker who will authorize your application.Review broker sponsorship

The licensing path

Six checkpoints, in plain language.

  1. 1

    Confirm the basic requirements

    You must be at least 18, meet the identification requirements for your application path, and have a sponsoring broker before a license can be issued.

    • The minimum age for a New York salesperson license is 18.
    • The online application requires a current New York State photo driver license or non-driver ID card.
    • Nonresidents without a New York DMV ID should follow page 7 of the paper application: enter nine zeroes in the DMV ID field and include a clear copy of a government-issued photo ID, such as an out-of-state driver license or a US passport.
    • A New York licensed real estate broker must sponsor the application.
  2. 2

    Complete approved qualifying education

    Complete the 77-hour salesperson course with a Department of State approved school.

    • Check the school in the Department of State course-provider search before you pay.
    • The 77-hour curriculum, effective December 21, 2022, covers 19 subjects.
    • An older 75-hour course also requires a 2-hour course on fair housing and/or implicit bias. A 45-hour course finished before July 1, 2008 requires both the 30-hour remedial course and the 2-hour fair-housing and/or implicit-bias course.
  3. 3

    Pass the school examination

    Pass the school's proctored final exam to complete the course.

    • The school final and the Department of State exam are separate requirements. Passing one does not cover the other.
    • Ask the school about its proctoring, ID, scheduling, and retake rules before you enroll.
  4. 4

    Schedule and pass the state examination

    Schedule the multiple-choice state exam through eAccessNY.

    • The New York salesperson exam fee is $15.
    • You get 90 minutes after the instructions end.
    • Results are pass or fail. There is no numerical score.
    • A passed result is valid for two years.
  5. 5

    Choose a sponsoring broker

    Interview several brokerages. Your sponsor will supervise your work and pay you, so the choice matters.

    • Compare training, supervision, commission splits, fees, lead expectations, market focus, and exit terms.
    • The broker authorizes your salesperson application in eAccessNY.
    • As a salesperson, you work for and under the supervision of the representative broker.
  6. 6

    Apply and wait for issuance

    Submit the application and $65 fee, get broker authorization, and wait for the license to issue before doing any licensed work.

    • The $65 application fee is nonrefundable.
    • Until the license is active, you cannot advertise, negotiate, solicit listings, or do other licensed work.
    • Keep your Department of State record current. A name or address change costs $10; DOS waives the fee for a name change resulting from a change in marital status.

Special pathways

Older coursework and applications that need a different route.

These situations do not always follow the standard first-time online application path.

Nonresident without a New York DMV ID

Page 7 of the DOS paper application directs applicants who live outside New York and lack a New York DMV ID to enter nine zeroes in that field and include a clear copy of a government-issued photo ID. This application procedure is separate from exam-day identification rules.

Former 75-hour course

DOS states that a person relying on the former 75-hour salesperson course must also complete a two-hour continuing education course on fair housing and/or implicit bias.

Former 45-hour course

A 45-hour course completed before July 1, 2008 generally requires the 30-hour remedial course plus a two-hour fair-housing and/or implicit-bias course.

Education completed outside New York

New York currently has no salesperson reciprocity. A waiver request must include proof of prelicensing education, a detailed outline showing topics and hours, and a course description.

License expired more than two years

DOS states that the person must meet current education requirements and pass the state written examination again.

Attorney, prior-license, or additional-license application

DOS directs these applicants to use the paper salesperson application by regular mail instead of the standard first-time online application.

Testing modifications

If you need testing modifications, DOS instructs you not to schedule the exam first. Call 518-474-4429 and follow the special-arrangements process.

Official state fees

Written exam
$15
Initial license
$65
State-fee subtotal
$80

School tuition, preparation, travel, supplies, and brokerage costs vary. They are not included in the $80 state-fee subtotal.

Common licensing questions

Quick answers before you choose your next step.

Common licensing questions, with clear answers for your next step.

What are the basic requirements for a New York real estate salesperson license?

You must be at least 18, complete approved qualifying education and its proctored school exam, pass the separate Department of State written exam, obtain sponsorship from a New York licensed real estate broker, and submit the license application and fee.

Is the 77-hour course exam the same as the New York state exam?

No. The school-administered proctored exam completes the qualifying course requirement. The Department of State written exam is a separate licensing requirement.

Do I need a sponsoring broker before taking the state exam?

Broker sponsorship is required for the salesperson license application. You can prepare for and take the state written exam before choosing the broker who will sponsor the application.

How much are the New York state exam and salesperson application fees?

The Department of State currently lists a $15 written exam fee and a $65 initial salesperson application fee. The $80 subtotal does not include school tuition, study materials, travel, or possible brokerage costs.

Can a nonresident apply without a New York DMV ID?

Yes. Page 7 of the DOS paper application gives instructions for applicants who live outside New York and do not have a New York DMV ID. Enter nine zeroes in the DMV ID field and include a clear copy of a government-issued photo ID, such as an out-of-state driver license or a US passport. Follow the application instructions for your situation; do not confuse these requirements with the separate exam-day ID rules.

When can I begin performing licensed real estate work?

Wait until the Department of State has issued the license and the broker association is active. Passing the exam or submitting the application does not by itself authorize licensed activity.

Continue with Pass New York

Turn the licensing steps into a study plan.

If you are taking the required course or have already completed it, use the free study guide and practice tools to prepare for the separate state examination.

Start free exam practice Explore the 19-subject guide