New York
New York Real Estate Exam: Complete 2026 Prep Guide
New York's real estate salesperson exam is one of the shortest in the country (75 questions, 1.5 hours), but the state's regulatory framework is dense — broker oversight, agency disclosure rules, and the role of attorneys in transactions are all unique. The first-time pass rate hovers around 70%.
New York Exam Requirements at a Glance
Pre-licensing education: 77 hours
Exam provider: state-administered (NY Department of State)
Exam format: 75 multiple-choice questions
Time limit: 1.5 hours
Passing score: 70% overall (53 of 75)
Exam fee: approximately $15
License title: salesperson (under sponsoring broker)
Age requirement: 18 years old
Confirm current rules with the NY Department of State Division of Licensing Services.
What Makes New York Different
New York is one of a handful of states where attorneys typically participate in residential real estate transactions on behalf of buyers and sellers. NY salesperson candidates must understand where the agent's role ends and the attorney's begins. The state also enforces the strictest broker supervision rules in the country, with detailed requirements for office signage, advertising, and broker-of-record responsibilities.
New York-Specific Topics You Must Know
These appear on the state portion and are not covered by generic national prep materials.
NY Department of State (DOS) Division of Licensing Services — the regulatory body, not a state real estate commission. Know the powers of the Secretary of State.
NY Real Property Law Article 12-A — covers licensing, broker supervision, and disciplinary actions.
Attorney involvement — in NY, attorneys typically draft contracts and represent parties at closing. Know the agent's permissible scope vs. the attorney's.
Property Condition Disclosure Statement (PCDS) — required for most residential sales. If seller doesn't deliver, buyer gets a $500 credit at closing.
Agency disclosure — written disclosure required at first substantive contact (Form DOS-1735).
NYC-specific issues — co-op vs. condo distinctions, board approval processes, flip taxes.
Rent regulation — rent-controlled and rent-stabilized units, covered under specific NYC and NY State law.
Anti-discrimination — NY State Human Rights Law goes beyond federal Fair Housing protections (includes lawful source of income).
Study Plan for the New York Exam
Week 1: Diagnostic + national content. NY's 75 questions are weighted across national fundamentals — get strong on contracts, agency, finance, and property ownership.
Week 2: NY-specific law — DOS rules, Article 12-A, agency disclosure, PCDS. The state portion is integrated, so don't underestimate it.
Week 3: Math + full-length timed practice exams. NY's exam is short (75 questions in 1.5 hours = ~72 seconds each), so pacing matters.
Week 4: Review missed questions, focus on NYC-specific issues if relevant, and aim for 80%+ on practice exams.
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New York Resources
New York Exam FAQ
Is the NY exam national + state or combined?
Combined. The 75 questions integrate national real estate concepts with NY-specific law — there's no separate state portion to pass.
How long is the NY pre-licensing course?
77 hours of qualifying education through a DOS-approved school. Most students complete it in 4–6 weeks online.
Why do attorneys handle NY closings?
NY common practice. Attorneys draft contracts, conduct title review, and represent parties at closing. Real estate agents focus on showing, marketing, and negotiation — not contract drafting.
What's the difference between salesperson and broker in NY?
Salesperson works under a sponsoring broker. To become an associate broker or representative broker, you need 2+ years of qualifying experience and additional education.
Does NYC have additional licensing requirements?
No additional license, but NYC market knowledge — co-op rules, board packages, flip taxes, building-specific issues — is critical for NYC practice.