Real Estate Agent Permit Requirements in New York City, NY

Complete permit and license guide for starting a real estate agent in New York City, New York County, New York.

Verified 2026-08-27 4 stops $400–$1,200 est. 4–12 weeks to obtain license and begin practice
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you operate as an LLC, corporation, or have employees. Free from the IRS. Even sole proprietors may benefit from obtaining an EIN to keep business and personal finances separate.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of New York

2 stops

  1. New York Department of State — Real Estate Salesperson License

    New York requires real estate salesperson applicants to complete 77 hours of DOS-approved qualifying education, pass the New York State salesperson examination administered by the Department of State (scheduled through eAccessNY), and apply to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. Applicants must be sponsored by (associated with) a licensed New York real estate broker. License term is two years.

    Official government source

    $15 exam fee + $65 initial license application + $200-$500 pre-licensing education (market range)4–10 weeks

  2. Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance

    Most real estate brokerages require agents to carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, which protects against claims of negligent acts or omissions in real estate transactions. Some states mandate it; most brokerages require it. Coverage typically starts at $100,000 per occurrence.

    Official government source

    $300–$800/year1–5 business days

City of New York City / New York County

1 stop

  1. NYC Department of State — No Additional NYC License Required for Agents

    Real estate salespersons in New York City are licensed at the state level through the NY Department of State. No additional NYC-specific real estate salesperson license is required. However, all advertising and signage must comply with NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection regulations.

    Official government source

    No additional fee for individual agentsN/A

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,200 · 4–12 weeks to obtain license and begin practice

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