Steps To Becoming A Real Estate Agent In New York: A Guide To Obtaining Your License

published on: 07 March 2024 last updated on: 19 November 2024
Becoming A Real Estate Agent In New York

To start a real estate career in New York, you must earn a New York real estate license. 

To do so, you must first be 18 years old. Next, there are the following steps that you must go through: 

  • Complete a 77-hour real estate pre licensing course ny.
  • Find a sponsoring broker.
  • Pass the exam for New York Real Estate Salesperson.
  • Fill up and send your license application. 

The process is similar in most states. However, each state in the USA has unique steps.

Moreover, it is important to understand the difference between an agent and a broker when opting for a license.

This difference is largely based on years of experience and education. 

Furthermore, an agent must work under a licensed broker, while brokers can work for themselves or hire agents. 

Therefore, becoming a broker in New York requires additional coursework and working at least two years as an agent.

Requirements For New York Real Estate License

Requirements For New York Real Estate License

New York has two types of licenses, with requirements varying depending on the license. A real estate agent, or “salesperson,” handles transactions under a licensed broker, while a broker can own their own company and hire other agents.

Given below are the criteria for agent licenses: 

  • Age requirement of at least eighteen. 
  • A real estate degree holder or those studying outside New York state must complete 77 hours of approved real estate coursework, valid for eight years from completion. Must succeed on the final test 
  • A valid New York State driver’s license or non-driver ID is required. 
  • Must have a broker sponsorship.

Given below are the qualifications required for a broker license: 

  • Age requirement of at least 20 years. 
  • Requires at least two years of agent experience or three years of general real estate industry experience. 
  • Requires a four-year real estate college degree or 152 hours of real estate study from an authorized source.
  • Must succeed on the final test.
  • Must have a valid New York State driver’s license or non-driver ID.

Steps To Obtain Your New York City Real Estate License

Steps To Obtain Your New York City Real Estate License

Given below are the steps to help you get your real estate license in New Yor City—

Know The Costs Of The License

Real estate professionals who wish to operate in New York must obtain a license, which requires some investment in terms of time and money. 

Agents can expect to spend between $500 and $1,000 for their license, while brokers must pay between $950 and $1,450. 

To qualify for the license, agents must complete pre-licensing exam coursework, ranging from $379 to $909.6. Brokers must also complete additional coursework hours, which usually cost around $349. 

However, this fee may be waived for qualifying college courses. The broker application fee is $185, while the agent application fee is $65. Both licenses require renewal every two years at a fixed cost. 

In addition, applicants must pay an exam fee of $15.21. Other potential costs include association memberships, office space, training, and requesting exceptions from certain requirements.

Understand The Exam’s Level Of Difficulty

Passing the New York State Real Estate Salesperson Exam is a challenging feat, with a pass rate of only 70%. 

However, with the right amount of preparation and dedication, most test takers should be able to pass on their first attempt. 

To increase your chances of success, we recommend that you study diligently and take advantage of practice tests like the ones we offer in our exam prep program.

This exam is composed of 75 multiple-choice questions, all of which are based on the pre-license curriculum. 

You will have 90 minutes to complete it, and a passing score requires answering at least 53 of the 75 questions correctly – just over 70%. 

Once you finish the test, you will receive your score immediately.

Find A Sponsoring Broker

Find A Sponsoring Broker

Becoming a sponsoring broker is crucial for those less experienced or new to the real estate industry because independent practice is not permitted with a basic salesperson license. 

A sponsoring broker oversees the activities of their affiliated agents, reviewing contracts, assisting with negotiations, and offering advice on complex transactions. 

They are also responsible for ensuring their representatives abide by all applicable legal requirements and professional norms. 

A sponsoring broker must meet qualifications, including higher real estate education, licensed agent experience, and additional exams. 

Moreover, when selecting a sponsoring broker, you must cross-check the following factors: 

  • Reputation.
  • Advanced specialty.
  • Up-to-date rules.
  • Agent support.
  • Commission structure.
  • Benefits.
  • Quality leads.
  • Marketing material quality.
  • Growth potential within the brokerage. 

It’s common for beginners to need more financial resources to compete with larger real estate brokerages in marketing, lead generation, and conversion.

Fill Up The Application

To legally operate in New York, you must obtain a license from the Department of State (DOS). 

You have two options to apply for the license – you can submit your application via postal mail or online. 

If you opt for credit card payment using Master Card or Visa, you must fill out a credit card authorization form and send it along with your application. This ensures that your payment is processed smoothly and legally.

Start Preparing

The NYS real estate practice exam is crucial to becoming a successful realtor. To pass, focus on real estate math, reduce distractions, set a timer, and practice test-taking practices. 

Take short math tests daily to understand strengths and weaknesses, and make separate notes. You can look for courses on Corofy to help you through practice papers and lectures.

Familiarize yourself with test-taking techniques like answering questions you know, eliminating wrong answers, not doubting answers, skipping difficult questions, taking deep breaths, reading the full answer carefully, and attempting the test confidently. 

Create a real estate cheat sheet by identifying your weaknesses and taking it with you during appointments. Seek advice from a real estate broker or agent to prepare for the state exam and find new opportunities. 

Therefore, attempting the NYS real estate practice exam is essential for becoming a successful realtor.

When Will You Get The License?

The process of obtaining a real estate license in New York can typically range from 3 to 5 months. 

However, the duration of this process is subject to various factors, including the mode of pre-license coursework, i.e., online or classroom-based, and the amount of time and effort the student invests in their studies. 

While some students may prefer the convenience of online courses, others may benefit from the structured learning environment offered by classroom-based courses. 

Similarly, the time taken to complete the coursework can vary depending on the individual’s pace and dedication towards learning the material.

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Barsha Bhattacharya

Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.

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