New York State Real Estate Licensing

Interested in becoming a Licensed Salesperson?

The first step is to take the the NYS Salesperson's 75 hour Qualifying Course which is offered at the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS (GSAR). The next course being offered at GSAR will begin on July 8th, 2013. This class will be Monday thru Friday 8:30am-5pm for two weeks.

A licensing candidate may take the course final examination only upon satisfactory completion of the attendance requirements. An exam score of 70% or above must be achieved in order to successfully complete the course. A make-up exam is available in the event the course exam is not passed.

Successful completion of both attendance and exam requirements entitles the licensing candidate to sit for the New York State examination. Click here to learn more about GSAR's  Salesperson's Qualifying Course. 

Licensed Broker?

If you are interested in becoming a Licensed Broker, the first step is to take the NYS Brokers 45 hour Qualifying Course which is offered at the Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS.  Class begins October 9, 2012. A licensing candidate may take the course final examination only upon satisfactory completion of the attendance requirements. A minimum exam score of 70% must be achieved in order to successfully complete the course. A make up exam is available in the event the course exam is not passed. Successful completion of both attendance and exam requirements entitles the licensing candidate to sit for the New York State examination. Click here to learn more about GSAR's Broker's Qualifying Course.

Home Inspector?

The first step is to take a New York State approved Home Inspection Licensing course, which is made up of 100 hours of classroom instruction, consisting of 4 different modules.
Following the classroom instruction, each student is required to also complete 40 hours of field training with a NYS Licensed Home Inspector. Click here to learn more about GSAR's Home Inspector Licensing Course.

What's New?

Changes to Real Estate Requirements - Effective July 1, 2008

Any applications received to the DOS office on or after July 1, 2008, must adhere to these new standards.

Qualifying Courses:
Salesperson: Course increased from 45 hours to 75 hours. A salesperson applicant will be required to show proof of completing 75 hours of approved education. Those salesperson applicants who completed the 45 hour salesperson course prior to July 1, 2008 may complete the additional 30 hour qualifying course to satisfy the 75 hour requirement.

Broker: A broker applicant will be required to show proof of completing 120 hours of approved education. Broker applicants will be required to show proof of completing the 45 hour salesperson course, the 30 hour remedial course and the 45 hour broker course OR the 75 salesperson course and the 45 hour broker course.

Continuing Education:
Effective with renewals that expire on or after July 1, 2008, applicants must complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education, in which at least 3 hours must include fair housing and/or discrimination in the sale or rental of real property or an interest in real property. Any real estate broker who is not exempt from the continuing education requirements by July 1, 2008, will not longer be eligible for the exemption. Any currently exempt licensees who do not maintain their consecutive licensure will lose their exemption.

Course Certificates
The 75 hour and 30 hour qualifying course certificates will only be valid for 8 years.

Examinations:
Salesperson: There will be a new examination effective July 1, 2008. The examination will be reflective of the new 75 hour qualifying course curriculum. In addition, it is anticipated that the length of the examination will increase from the current 50 questions, to 75 questions.

Broker: This examination will under go some revisions to include questions on new topics and to update existing questions. The length of the examination will remain at 100 questions. An applicant who has passed the state exam prior to 7/1/08 but not licensed until after 7/1/08 can still use those results for licensure if taken within 24 months.

Broker Applicants:

The requirement to become a broker will increase from 19 to 20 years of age.

Experience obtained as a licensed real estate salesperson is increasing from 1 year to 2 years. The number of points required will also increase.

Equivalent experience obtained in the general real estate business is increasing from 2 years to 3 years. The number of points required will also increase.

Click here to learn more about Licensing from the New York State Department of State.