New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam Overview
The New York Real Estate Salesperson Exam is administered by Prometric on behalf of the New York Department of State (DOS). New York has strict licensing requirements and unique fair housing protections under the Human Rights Law, making this exam comprehensive and challenging.
Passing this exam qualifies you to work as a real estate salesperson in New York—the 4th largest state with over 19 million residents and one of the nation's most dynamic real estate markets including the NYC metro area.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 75 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 90 minutes |
| Passing Score | Pass/Fail (no score provided) |
| Exam Fee | $15 |
| Pre-licensing Education | 77 hours required |
| Testing Vendor | Prometric |
| License Term | 2 years |
Why Get Licensed in New York?
- Massive market — Over 19 million residents
- NYC metro area — Nation's largest real estate market
- High property values — Significant commission potential
- Diverse opportunities — Residential, commercial, luxury
- Strict regulations — Professional standards ensure credibility
Start Your FREE New York Real Estate Exam Prep
Ready to begin studying? Our comprehensive, completely free New York Real Estate exam prep covers everything you need to pass.
→ Start FREE New York Real Estate Exam Prep
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. DOS & Licensing (20%)
Department of State Authority:
- Article 12-A of Real Property Law
- Licensing requirements and application process
- License renewal and continuing education
- Disciplinary actions and violations
- Salesperson vs. broker requirements
License Law Fundamentals:
- Sponsoring broker requirements
- Commission splits and arrangements
- Trust account regulations
- Record keeping requirements
- Advertising regulations
Violations and Penalties:
- Unlicensed activity penalties
- License revocation grounds
- Fines and disciplinary actions
- Hearings and appeals process
2. Fair Housing (25%)
New York Human Rights Law:
- Protected classes under NY law (broader than federal)
- Executive Law Section 296
- Additional protected categories
- State enforcement mechanisms
- Penalties for violations
Federal Fair Housing Act:
- Seven federally protected classes
- Prohibited discriminatory practices
- Steering, blockbusting, redlining
- Exemptions and limitations
- HUD enforcement
Protected Classes Comparison:
| Federal | New York Additional |
|---|---|
| Race | Sexual orientation |
| Color | Gender identity |
| Religion | Military status |
| National origin | Marital status |
| Sex | Age |
| Familial status | Lawful source of income |
| Disability | Domestic violence victim status |
3. Contracts & Disclosures (30%)
Property Condition Disclosure Statement (PCDS):
- Seller disclosure requirements
- 48-question property disclosure form
- $500 credit if not provided
- Known defects and material facts
- Lead paint disclosure requirements
Listing Agreements:
- Exclusive right to sell
- Exclusive agency
- Open listings
- Net listings (prohibited in many cases)
- Required provisions
Purchase Contracts:
- Offer and acceptance
- Contingencies (financing, inspection)
- Contract of sale requirements
- Mortgage commitment letters
- Attorney review provisions
Other Required Disclosures:
- Lead-based paint disclosure
- Agency disclosure form
- Smoke detector disclosure
- Flood zone notification
- Megan's Law notification
4. Property Law (25%)
Types of Ownership:
- Fee simple absolute
- Life estates
- Tenancy in common
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship
- Tenancy by the entirety
- Cooperative ownership (unique to NY)
Real Property Taxes:
- Property tax assessment
- Tax liens and foreclosure
- STAR program exemptions
- Tax grievance procedures
Landlord-Tenant Law:
- Residential lease requirements
- Security deposit rules
- Eviction procedures
- Rent stabilization (NYC)
- Rent control provisions
Cooperative and Condominium:
- Co-op board approval process
- Proprietary lease
- Flip tax considerations
- Common elements ownership
- Recognition agreements
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | DOS licensing and regulations | 15-18 |
| Week 2-3 | Fair housing (federal and NY) | 15-18 |
| Week 3-4 | Contracts and disclosures | 18-22 |
| Week 4-5 | Property law and ownership | 15-18 |
| Week 5-6 | Practice exams and review | 12-15 |
Total recommended study time: 75-90 hours (plus 77-hour pre-licensing)
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the New York Real Estate exam.
→ Access FREE NY Real Estate Practice Questions
New York-Specific Exam Tips
1. Master the Human Rights Law
New York has broader protections than federal law:
- Know all NY protected classes
- Understand Executive Law Section 296
- Additional categories beyond federal
- State enforcement differs from HUD
- Higher penalties possible under state law
2. Understand the $500 PCDS Credit
The Property Condition Disclosure Statement is unique:
- Sellers must provide 48-question form
- If not provided, buyer gets $500 credit
- Know what must be disclosed
- Understand the timing requirements
- Lead paint disclosure is separate
3. Know Cooperative Housing
Cooperatives are common in New York:
- Buyer purchases shares, not real property
- Board approval required for most transactions
- Proprietary lease governs occupancy
- Flip taxes on resales
- Different financing requirements
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | New York Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | Pass/Fail |
| Pre-licensing | 77 hours |
| License term | 2 years |
| CE requirement | 22.5 hours/2 years |
| PCDS credit | $500 if not provided |
| Exam fee | $15 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Human Rights Law — Broader than federal, heavily tested
- Missing PCDS requirements — Know the $500 credit rule
- Confusing cooperatives — Different from condos, unique to NY
- Underestimating fair housing — 25% of exam content
- Skipping agency disclosure — Required in NY
- Not practicing enough — 90 minutes is tight for 75 questions
After Passing Your Exam
- Submit license application to DOS
- Pay application fee ($65)
- Obtain sponsoring broker before activation
- Register with DOS online system
- Complete 22.5 hours CE every 2 years
- Begin your real estate career in New York
2026 New York Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Updated Human Rights Law provisions
- New disclosure requirements
- Digital transaction regulations
- Fair housing training updates
- Continuing education changes
Start Your New York Real Estate Career Today
The New York Real Estate Salesperson license opens doors to one of the nation's most dynamic markets. With the NYC metro area, Long Island, and Upstate markets, opportunities abound. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
→ Begin FREE New York Real Estate Exam Prep Now
Our free study materials include:
- Complete topic coverage
- Practice questions with explanations
- Human Rights Law specifics
- PCDS and disclosure guides
- AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.