New York Real Estate Exam Prep

In New York, the Department of State (DOS) Division of Licensing Services sets the standards for real estate licensure and administers the exam through PSI-run testing sites across the state. The salesperson exam is 75 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit, and results are reported pass or fail only, with no numerical score given.

The salesperson prelicensing course was expanded from 75 to 77 hours effective December 21, 2022, to add fair housing, implicit bias, and cultural competency content, so guides that still cite a 75-hour course are outdated. New York also eliminated all real estate license reciprocity with other states effective February 1, 2023. Every applicant, including out-of-state licensees, must complete the full 77-hour New York prelicensing course and pass the New York exam. A sponsoring New York broker is required as part of the licensing process.

New York recognizes the following real estate credential types:

• Real Estate Salesperson - Sells or leases real estate under a sponsoring New York broker. Requires 77 hours of DOS-approved prelicensing education.
• Real Estate Broker - Independent practice, can employ and supervise salespersons. Requires additional experience, education, and an exam.

The New York real estate salesperson exam is administered by the Department of State at PSI-run exam sites across the state. It consists of 75 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. The passing score is 70 percent (at least 53 correct answers), and results are reported as pass or fail only, with no numerical score provided.

New York requires a passing score of 70 percent on the real estate salesperson exam, which means at least 53 of the 75 questions must be correct. Results are reported pass or fail only.

Typical requirements to sit for the New York real estate salesperson exam include:

• Being at least 18 years old.
• Satisfactory completion of 77 hours of DOS-approved qualifying education (expanded from 75 to 77 hours effective December 21, 2022, to add fair housing, implicit bias, and cultural competency content).
• A sponsoring New York broker.
• Passing the state licensing exam.

The 77-hour qualifying course (and the legacy 75-hour course) is valid for 8 years from completion and must be used to obtain a license within that window or retaken. Reciprocity with other states was eliminated effective February 1, 2023, so out-of-state licensees must complete the full New York course and exam like any other applicant.

Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state licensing authority before applying.

The New York real estate exam fee is $15 per attempt, with no mandatory waiting period between attempts. The license renewal fee is $65. Always confirm current fee amounts with the Department of State before submitting payment.

A focused 4 to 6 week study plan works well for most New York candidates:

• Week 1-2: Review Real Estate Principles and Contracts and Agency alongside your 77-hour coursework, including the fair housing and implicit bias content.
• Week 3-4: Work through Real Estate Finance and New York-specific license law, then take a full-length practice test.
• Week 5-6: Review every missed question, drill weak areas, and simulate the 75-question, 90-minute exam under timed conditions.

Practice topics on ExamsLib cover Real Estate Principles, Contracts and Agency, and Real Estate Finance.