NYNew York Real Estate License Guide 2026

How to Get a New York Real Estate License

Complete requirements, costs, exam details — and the investing alternative most license schools don't want you to know about.

Pre-License Hours
77 hrs
Total Cost
$350–$700
Time to Complete
3–5 months
Exam Pass Rate
~50%
Path A — The Traditional Route

New York Real Estate
License Requirements

Watch: Jeb Fuller Explains New York Licensing
How to Get a New York Real Estate License — University of Success
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Jeb Fuller personally explains the New York licensing process — and why many choose to invest instead.

Step-by-Step Process
1
Complete 77 Pre-License Hours
New York requires 77 hours of state-approved coursework covering real estate principles, contracts, and New York law.
💰 $200–$500⏱ 4–12 weeks
2
Pass the New York Real Estate Exam
Administered by eAccessNY (state-administered). Includes national + New York state portions. Pass rate: ~50%.
💰 $15⏱ 1 day
3
Apply to New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
Submit exam results, background check, and application fee. Processing takes 2–4 weeks.
💰 $55⏱ 2–4 weeks
4
Find a Sponsoring Broker
New licensees must work under a licensed broker. You cannot practice independently.
💰 Desk fees + commission splits⏱ Ongoing
5
Renew Every 2 years
22.5 CE hours required per renewal cycle to maintain your New York license.
💰 $100–$300⏱ Every 2 years
New York Licensing Fact

New York has one of the lowest exam fees in the country at just $15, but the New York City market is the most competitive real estate market in the world.

Advantages
  • Earn commission on New York transactions
  • Access to MLS and professional networks
  • Represent buyers and sellers legally
  • High income potential in active markets
Disadvantages
  • 77 hours before you earn a dollar
  • $350–$700 upfront before first commission
  • Only ~50% pass on first attempt
  • Must work under a broker — no independence
Official Source
New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
Verify Requirements ↗
Path B — The Wealth-Builder's Route

Skip the License.
Start Investing in New York.

You do not need a New York real estate license to invest in New York real estate.

While you spend 3–5 months and $350–$700 working toward a license — then split commissions with a broker — investors are already building portfolios and generating cash flow.

What Investors Skip Entirely
⏭
No Pre-License Hours
Skip the 77-hour requirement entirely
📋
No Exam Required
No eAccessNY (state-administered) exam, no ~50% pass rate to worry about
💰
No Broker Split
Keep 100% of your investment profits
🔄
No Renewal Treadmill
No 22.5 CE hours every 2 years just to stay active
🏢
No Client Dependency
Your income doesn't depend on finding buyers or sellers
Jeb Fuller's Commercial Investing Path

Commercial real estate investors in New York buy NNN properties, strip malls, fast food pads, and dollar store buildings — generating passive income with zero license required. The same $350–$700 you'd spend on a license could be your first deal deposit.

  • Build passive income — not a commission-dependent job
  • Own the asset, not just represent it
  • No clients, no cold calls, no broker oversight
  • Commercial real estate: the wealth-builder's asset class
  • Be a Real Estate Owner — Not a Salesperson

University of Success® · Jeb Fuller, Commercial Real Estate Investor & Author
Stop Buying Houses · Fast Food Real Estate · Dollar Store Investing · Passive Income Active Intelligence

Already Licensed?

New York Real Estate
CE Renewal Requirements

Once licensed, New York agents must complete continuing education every 2 years to keep their license active. Here's exactly what's required.

CE Hours Required
22.5 hrs
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 Years
Mandatory Hours
11.5 hrs required
Mandatory CE Topics
  • •Fair Housing
  • •Ethical Business Practices
  • •Recent Legal Matters
  • •Law of Agency
  • •Cultural Competency
  • •Implicit Bias Training

Before you pay New York CE fees again — ask yourself if the license is still serving your wealth goals. Investors never renew. They just keep building.

Frequently Asked Questions: New York Real Estate License

How long does it take to get a New York real estate license?

Getting a New York real estate license typically takes 3–5 months. This includes completing 77 hours of pre-license education, passing the New York real estate exam administered by eAccessNY (state-administered), and waiting for your application to be processed by the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.

How much does a New York real estate license cost?

The total cost to get a New York real estate license ranges from $350–$700. This includes pre-license course fees ($200–$500), the eAccessNY (state-administered) exam fee ($15), and the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services application fee ($55).

What is the New York real estate exam pass rate?

The New York real estate exam pass rate is approximately ~50%. The exam is administered by eAccessNY (state-administered) and consists of both a national portion and a New York-specific state portion. Many candidates need to retake the exam.

How many hours do I need to get a New York real estate license?

New York requires 77 hours of state-approved pre-license real estate education before you can sit for the New York real estate exam. This coursework covers real estate principles, practices, contracts, and New York state law.

Can I invest in New York real estate without a license?

Yes. You do not need a New York real estate license to invest in New York real estate. Real estate investors buy and sell properties as principals — not as agents representing others — which does not require a license. Many successful New York real estate investors have never obtained a license.

How do I renew my New York real estate license?

New York real estate licenses must be renewed every 2 years. To renew, you must complete 22.5 hours of continuing education approved by the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services and pay the renewal fee.

Before You Enroll Anywhere

Comparing New York Real Estate License Schools?

If you searched for Mykissock New York, CE Shop New York, Colibri New York real estate classes, or any New York real estate school online — you found this page for a reason. These providers will sell you 77 hours of coursework for $200–$500. What they won't tell you is that the majority of new New York agents earn under $35,000 in year one and most quit within 24 months. You want Real Estate Education that will make you Money — Don't KISS your money away with New York license classes that lead to a treadmill, not a wealth-builder.

Mykissock Learning — New York
CE Shop — New York
Colibri Real Estate — New York
New York Real Estate Institute — New York
Kaplan Real Estate Education — New York
The CE Shop — New York
University of Success® — Free First
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New York Real Estate License Classes, Requirements & Investing Alternative

Millions of people search each year for New York real estate classes, how to get a New York real estate license, New York real estate license requirements, and New York real estate exam prep. The New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services requires 77 pre-license education hours before you can sit for the New York real estate exam administered by eAccessNY (state-administered). The total cost to obtain a New York real estate license ranges from $350–$700, and the process typically takes 3–5 months.

Popular providers of New York real estate license classes include Mykissock Learning, CE Shop, Colibri Real Estate, New York Real Estate Institute, Kaplan Real Estate Education, The CE Shop. However, before enrolling in any New York pre-licensing course or New York real estate CE classes, consider what these providers are incentivized not to tell you: the majority of new New York agents earn less than $35,000 in their first year, and most leave the profession within two years.

The alternative — New York real estate investing without a license — is available to anyone. You do not need a New York real estate license to buy, own, or profit from New York commercial real estate. Jeb Fuller's Commercial Real Estate Investing Masterclass is the leading New York real estate investing class for people who want to build passive income and real wealth through commercial property ownership — no New York real estate exam required. Whether you are searching for New York real estate license cost, how long does it take to get a New York real estate license, or simply the best path to financial freedom in New York — this is your starting point.

Real Estate License Guides by State

AL — AlabamaAK — AlaskaAZ — ArizonaAR — ArkansasCA — CaliforniaCO — ColoradoCT — ConnecticutDE — DelawareFL — FloridaGA — GeorgiaHI — HawaiiID — IdahoIL — IllinoisIN — IndianaIA — IowaKS — KansasKY — KentuckyLA — LouisianaME — MaineMD — MarylandMA — MassachusettsMI — MichiganMN — MinnesotaMS — MississippiMO — MissouriMT — MontanaNE — NebraskaNV — NevadaNH — New HampshireNJ — New JerseyNM — New MexicoNY — New YorkNC — North CarolinaND — North DakotaOH — OhioOK — OklahomaOR — OregonPA — PennsylvaniaRI — Rhode IslandSC — South CarolinaSD — South DakotaTN — TennesseeTX — TexasUT — UtahVT — VermontVA — VirginiaWA — WashingtonWV — West VirginiaWI — WisconsinDC — Washington DCWY — Wyoming

Ready to build wealth in New York real estate? · UniversityofSuccess.com

No license required. Start investing today.

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