Getting a New York real estate salesperson license takes most people two to four months and costs a few hundred dollars before you join a brokerage. This guide walks through each requirement in order, with what it costs, how long it takes, and what a working New Yorker's schedule actually looks like. Requirements are set by the New York Department of State; figures here are current as of 2026 and should be confirmed on dos.ny.gov before you pay.
Who can get licensed
You need to be at least 18, legally able to work in the United States, and free of disqualifying felony convictions. New York does not require a college degree, prior sales experience, or state residency. Non-citizens with work authorization qualify.
Step 1: The 77-hour qualifying course
New York requires a 77-hour salesperson qualifying course from a school approved by the Department of State. The curriculum includes license law, law of agency, real estate instruments, fair housing, contracts, valuation, mortgage basics, and New York specific topics such as rent regulation, condominiums and cooperatives, and the 2 hours each of implicit bias and cultural competency added in recent years.
Formats: fully online self-paced, live online, or classroom. Schools commonly used by agents in Queens and Long Island include Hollywood Real Estate Institute and The CE Shop. Expect $300 to $500. You must pass the school's final exam to receive the certificate of completion, and the certificate is valid for eight years.
Realistic schedule. Priya, 29, from Richmond Hill, worked full-time in a medical office. She did the online course two hours a night, four nights a week, plus Saturday mornings, and finished in six weeks. Agents who take the live-online format usually finish in three to four weeks.
Step 2: The New York State exam
Create an eAccessNY account and schedule the salesperson exam. It is 75 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes, and you need 70% (53 correct) to pass. The exam fee is small, under $50 per attempt as of 2026. Test sites in the New York City area, including Jamaica in Queens and sites on Long Island, book up two to three weeks out. Results post to your eAccessNY account, usually within a few business days. There is no limit on retakes, but each attempt is a new fee and a new appointment.
Most candidates pass when they take the school's practice exams until they are consistently above 80%. The topics people miss most are agency disclosure rules, the math of commissions and proration, and New York specific license law.
Step 3: Choose a sponsoring broker
A New York salesperson cannot hold an active license without a sponsoring broker. You can and should start this before you pass the exam. Interview at least two brokerages and compare in writing: commission split and how it changes with production, monthly desk or technology fees, what training looks like in the first 30 days, who answers the phone when a deal has a problem, and what lead sources exist. See how to choose a brokerage in NYC for the full list of questions.
LJ Realty Team publishes its structure: 80% at 1–2 closings, 85% at 3–4, 90% at 5+, with no desk or office fees. Details on the Realtor Careers page.
Step 4: Apply on eAccessNY
Once you have passed the exam and have a broker, submit the salesperson application in eAccessNY. You will enter your course certificate details, exam result, and your sponsoring broker's license information, and pay the application fee (under $100 as of 2026). Your broker then confirms sponsorship in their own eAccessNY account. Approval usually takes one to two weeks. The license is valid for two years from issue.
Step 5: MLS membership and your first weeks
To see and list properties across Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau and Suffolk you join OneKey MLS through your brokerage, which also typically means joining a REALTOR® association. Budget for MLS dues and association membership as your main recurring costs; these are paid by the agent at most brokerages, including LJ. Your brokerage should have your MLS access, forms software and email set up in your first week.
Step 6: Renewal and continuing education
Renew every two years with 22.5 hours of approved continuing education. Required topics currently include 3 hours fair housing, 2.5 hours ethical business practices, 1 hour recent legal matters, 2 hours agency (1 hour for renewals), 2 hours implicit bias and 2 hours cultural competency. Renew on eAccessNY before your expiration date; a lapsed license cannot be used until reinstated.
Total cost and timeline
| Item | Typical cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 77-hour course | $300–$500 | 3–8 weeks |
| State exam | Under $50 per attempt | 1 morning, plus 2–3 weeks to book |
| License application | Under $100 | 1–2 weeks approval |
| MLS and association dues | Varies; paid annually | After licensing |
Priya's timeline: course started January 6, exam passed February 22, license issued March 5, first open house March 15, first accepted offer in May on a two-family in South Ozone Park.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the 77-hour course entirely online?
Yes, with a Department of State approved school. Both self-paced and live online formats count.
Do I need a broker before I take the exam?
No, but you need one before your license can be issued. Lining up sponsorship while you study means you can work the week you pass.
How hard is the New York exam?
Pass rates are not published, but candidates who score above 80% on practice exams consistently pass. The math and agency questions are where most points are lost.
Can I get licensed with a criminal record?
Misdemeanors and older convictions are reviewed case by case. Certain felonies are disqualifying. The Department of State makes the determination; disclose everything on the application.
How much do new agents in Queens make?
It depends entirely on closings. On a $650,000 sale at a 2.5% side, the gross commission is $16,250; at an 80% split that is $13,000 to the agent. Two such closings in year one is a realistic first-year goal for a part-time start.
Still in the course? Schedule a twenty-minute conversation with LJ, and sponsorship will be ready the day you pass.
