New York Real Estate License Reciprocity
How to transfer your real estate license from another state to New York.
What is real estate license reciprocity? One may obtain a real estate license by reciprocity or mutual recognition if the person has a current license in another state. It basically means you would transfer your license without having to take some or all of the state’s pre-licensing requirements. Requirements for an of-state-real estate license vary by state.
Does New York have real estate reciprocity with other states?
No. However, New York does provide that you may request a waiver of the 77 hour salesperson course. You must submit a written request stating the waiver you are applying for along with proof of prelicensing course completion, a detailed outline listing topics and hours, and a course description. (Home-study/correspondence courses are not accepted.)
You may send your waiver request by email to dosedmailing@dos.ny.gov at the New York Real Estate Commission. The prelicensing salesperson’s course must be at least 77 hours of classroom instruction according to their website. Even if you have less than 77 prelicense hours out-of-state, it may be worth an email to see if you qualify or have some additional requirements.
If not qualified, you will need to take the 77 hour pre-license course and the exam.
New York Real Estate Commission issues two types of real estate licenses. An associate broker is comparable to a salesperson license in most other states. Associate brokers must work under the supervision of a qualifying broker. A qualifying broker is similar to a managing broker in most other states.
Requirements to get a real estate salesperson license by reciprocity in New York:
- You must have a current license in Georgia, Louisiana, or Massachusetts.
- You must pass the New York portion of the real estate license exam with Pearson VUE.
- Provide a certificate of licensure from the reciprocal out-of-state license and any state where you have been licensed within the last 10 years. The certification must be dated within the last 90 days.
- Submit fingerprinting for background check within 6 months of application.
- Apply for your salesperson license with the New York Real Estate Commission.
Requirements to get a real estate reciprocal license:
- You must have a current license in a state other than Georgia, Louisiana, or Massachusetts.
- You must pass the New York portion of the real estate license exam with Pearson VUE.
- Provide a certificate of licensure from the reciprocal out-of-state license and any state where you have been licensed within the last 10 years. The certification must be dated within the last 90 days.
- Submit fingerprinting for background check within 6 months of application.
- Apply for your salesperson license with the New York Real Estate Commission.
Non-reciprocal out of state licensees. Additional requirements.
Non-reciprocal states must take these in addition (Take these first)
- New York Real Estate Exam Prep Course – To prepare for the NY state portion of the exam (if not in reciprocal states Georgia, Louisiana, and Massachusetts)
- Schedule your New York real estate exam with PSI. Schedule only the state portion. You will be required to create an account online. (if not in reciprocal states Georgia, Louisiana, and Massachusetts)
Note: For those without a license in any state, you will need to take the New York license course including national and state portions before taking the real estate exam.
References for real estate license by reciprocity in New York:
Links for quick reference.
- New York fingerptrints Schedule with Identogo
- Consent to service of process – Included with application
- Application for New York Real Estate License (pdf)
Other requirements if NOT in a reciprocal state (All states other than Georgia, Louisiana and Massachusetts)
New York Real Estate Exam Prep Course
New York real estate exam – eAccessNY is the site to register to take the exam
New York Real Estate Course (NY Portion Only): This an approved online exam course for all out-of-state licensee applicants. It helps you to prepare you for the New York state portion of the real estate exam by Pearson VUE. It includes reading material and practice exams covering subjects on the real estate exam.