A career in Real Estate can be very rewarding financially as well as enjoyable. Below you can find all the information you need to get your Real Estate career started.
1. Choose a Broker. Whether a New Agent or an Experienced Agent, choosing a Broker that you would like to be affiliated with is important and pertinent to your career. We ask that you would give us at Lamplighter Realty the opportunity to see how we can make your career a succesful one. We have been in business since 1977, we offer a great compensation package, office support and tools for you to get your real estate career started or a boost. Let us put our expertise to work for you and your career!
2. Applying for your license. There is some time, committment and cost associated with getting your Real Estate career started.
FEES
45 Hour Salesperson Qualifying Course $299.00
45 Hour Broker Qualifying Course $250.00
Real Estate Textbook $35.00
NYS Dept. of State Exam Fee $15.00
GRAR Registration Fee $235.00
GRAR Dues (pro-rated) $1,000.00
How to Apply for a NYS Real Estate Salesperson’s License (courtesy of GRAR.Inc.) To obtain a New York State Real Estate Salesperson’s License, one must:
1. Successfully complete the (45) hour NY State Department of State’s approved Salesperson's Qualifying Course, and pass the required course exam with a minimum of 70%. (Offered by GRAR in both day and evening formats). Click here for a schedule of Upcoming Classes.
2. Successfully complete the NY State Department of State’s licensing exam with a minimum of 70%. This exam is administered every Tuesday (except holidays) at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at the Monroe Developmental Center, located at 620 Westfall Road. (Bring photo ID and $15.00 exam fee).
3. Test results will be mailed within 1-3 weeks. Results will not be given over the telephone, so please do not call Licensing Services. When you pass the written exam, they will send you an examination application slip marked "PASSED." That original slip (not a copy) must be submitted with your application form (signed by your Broker), license fee, etc. to the Department of State, Division of Licensing. (License will be mailed in 1-3 weeks).Please note: No cash will be accepted at the exam site. Please be prepared to pay by check, money order or Visa/MasterCard.
Eligibility Requirements: You must be 18 years of age or older at the time you apply, and have no felony convictions (other than those that have been pardoned).NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants for Real Estate Broker and Salesperson Licensure
Do I need to be licensed?
Generally, Article 12-A of the Real Property Law provides that anyone who, on behalf of another and for a fee, 1) negotiates a sale, exchange or rental of real property, 2) collects rent, or 3) negotiates a commercial loan secured by a mortgage must be licensed as a real estate broker.
What is the difference between a real estate broker and a real estate salesperson?
A real estate broker is responsible for the supervision and conduct of the real estate brokerage business. He or she applies for and holds the license on behalf of the brokerage. This person is known as the "representative broker." A real estate salesperson works for and is supervised by the representative broker. The salesperson acts as the representative broker's agent. All listings, although perhaps negotiated by a salesperson, are accepted by the representative broker.
How do I become a real estate salesperson or broker?
In order to qualify for licensure as a real estate salesperson, an applicant must have satisfactorily completed a 45 hour salesperson qualifying education course in real estate approved by the Secretary of State, and have passed a qualifying examination administered by the Department.In order to qualify for licensure as a real estate broker, an applicant must have at least one year of experience as a licensed real estate salesperson or at least two years of experience in the general real estate field (e.g., buying and selling your own property, managing property owned by your employer), have satisfactorily completed both the qualifying salesperson course of 45 hours and an additional 45 hour real estate broker course as approved by the Secretary of State, and have passed a qualifying examination administered by the Department.
Whom do I call if I am not sure whether I completed my 22.5 hours of continuing education during my
license term?
Contact the school(s) you attended. Schools are required by law to maintain course completion records for three years. You may request duplicate certificates from the school(s) in the event you are audited. In order to renew my salesperson license, I completed the 45-hour broker qualifying course.
Can I apply the extra 22.5 hours to my next license term?
No. The law clearly states that continuing education must be completed within each license term. I could not complete the continuing education, but I wish to renew my license anyway.
Can I apply for an extension?
Please refer to §177.6 in the real estate law booklet. Extensions will only be granted in bona fide hardship cases. You must submit the following, preferably prior to your license expiration: a written request for the extension, completed renewal form, fee, and original documentation demonstrating your hardship; i.e., medical documentation.
I think I might be exempt, but I am not sure when I originally became licensed. Can you tell me when
I was first licensed?
No. The Department of State only maintains seven years of real estate records. You may possibly determine your original date of licensure if you know when you completed the salesperson course and how long it took you after completing the course to apply for your license.
What happens if I do not complete my continuing education and don't renew my license?
If you do not renew your license, you cannot conduct any real estate activities that require a New York State real estate license in accordance with Article 12-A of the Real Property Law. There are no grace periods that allow you to continue working while not licensed. You have two years from the date your license expires to renew your license. If you fail to renew within that period, you will be required to pass the state written examination. No continuing education will be required to repeat the licensing process again.When you submit your new salesperson application, you must include the following: your new examination results, application fee, and a copy of your expired license/pocket card or ORIGINAL proof of completing the salesperson course. If possible, it is better to submit original proof of your salesperson course. If you do not have an original certificate, then call the school where you took the course to request another certificate. If you are applying for your broker's license, you must submit ORIGINAL proof of your 45-hour salesperson course and 45-hour broker course, or a copy of your expired broker's license.
How do I obtain a waiver from the 45-hour salesperson or 90-hour broker course requirement?
You must submit a written request stating the waiver you are applying for along with ORIGINAL proof of course completion, a detailed outline listing topics and hours, and a course description. We only review prelicensing courses from other states that were completed in a classroom setting. (No home-study/correspondence courses.) The prelicensing salesperson's course must be at least 45 hours of classroom instruction and the broker's course, 90 hours. In addition, if you have graduated with a Master's Degree with a concentration in real estate, you may qualify for a 90-hour waiver of the qualifying courses. Please submit an official transcript with your waiver request. If you are granted a waiver, you will receive the waiver letter, the license application, real estate law booklet, and examination schedules. When you are ready to apply for your license, please submit the ORIGINAL waiver letter with your application, fee, passed examination results, and any other required documents.
I have been a real estate licensee for many years. Am I exempt from the continuing education
requirements?
Article 12A statutorily requires all real estate brokers and salespeople to complete 22½ hours of Department of State approved education within their two-year license period prior to the date of expiration. The law does provide for an exemption from this requirement for a real estate broker who has 15 consecutive years of combined licensure as a salesperson and a broker and who is actively engaged in the real estate business as a real estate broker at the time of renewal, or an admitted NYS attorney.
Where do I get more detailed information?
You may access pertinent law and regulations, applications and exam schedules from this website. You may also request this or other information by calling a Division of Licensing Services customer service representative at
(518) 474-4429 or by writing to:
New York State Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
84 Holland Avenue
Albany, New York 12208-3490
Qualifying Fees
Tuition for the Broker's Qualifying Course is $250 if registration is received more than fourteen (14) calendar days before the first day of class. Registrations received within fourteen (14) calendar days are $290. Tuition for the Salesperson's Qualifying Course is $299 if registration is received more than fourteen (14) calendar days before the first day of class.Registrations received within fourteen (14) calendar days are $339.Students for both courses are required to purchase the textbook Modern Real Estate Practice in New York for Salespersons and Brokers, Eighth Edition prior to start of classes*. The textbook is available for $35.00, plus tax. For an additional fee of $7.00 we will mail your textbook directly to you.
*Students must have their books PRIOR to the start of the class, as there is required reading! Tuition Refund Policy for Students enrolled in the Sales Qualifying Course:
Students who cancel out of the course will be subject to a 20% service charge. Tuition transfers will be allowed, however tuition may be transferred only once within a six (6) month period. Student agrees that any refund requested on transferred tuition is subject to a 20% service charge. GRAR will NOT refund tuition in the event of
a) student's failure to cancel before course start date; or
b) student actions resulting in permanent dismissal from the course.
For more information, please contact the GRAR Education Department at (585) 341-2150 or
GRAReducation@grar.net
.
