New York FAQs

Requirements to Obtain a Salesperson License:

• Be at least 18 years of age  
• Have successfully completed a Department of State approved 75-hour qualifying course. If you have completed the 45-hour salesperson qualifying course prior to July 1, 2008 , you may complete the 30 hour remedial course in order to qualify for licensure. The Department of State requires a proctored final exam to be taken at an approved location for all licensing courses.
• Be sponsored by a NYS licensed real estate broker
• Pass the NYS real estate salesperson examination with a score of 70%:http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/realestate/salesexam.html
• For more information visit the following link:  http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/realestate/instructions/0022ins.html

• Be at least 20 years of Age
• Have completed an application with application fee
• Pass the NYS real estate broker exam with a score of 70% and send notification to the NY Commission (application must be made within two years of examination; failure to do so invalidates the results of the examination); http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/realestate/brokerexam.html
• Proof, in the form of original school certificates of 120 hours of approved qualifying course work. The Department of State requires a proctored final exam to be taken at an approved location for all licensing courses.
• Two years of full time experience under broker supervision, three years of full time participation in the general real estate business, or a combination of both.
• For more information visit the following link: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/realestate/instructions/0036ins.html

• 22.5 hrs of approved Continuing Education within two year license period, and it must include at least 3 hours of fair housing and/or discrimination in the sale or rental of real property or an interest in real property  
• for more information visit the following link:  http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/realest.html

• 22.5 hrs of approved Continuing Education within two year license period, and it must include at least 3 hours of fair housing and/or discrimination in the sale or rental of real property or an interest in real property  
• for more information visit the following link:  http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/realest.html

Kaplan Real Estate Education Exam Proctoring Information

Please note: Exam appointments must be requested at least 14 days in advance. If the request is less than that, the appointment will be declined. No Exceptions.

Information you need to know: You must schedule your exam at least 14 days in advance by contacting Customer Service at 800.314­.5262.

What to Expect on the Day of Exam:

1. A picture ID is required to verify your identity.
2. You will be provied a quiet space and will be monitored during the testing session.
3. After the exam is completed, you will give the test and grid to the proctor.
4. Within 1 business day, the proctor will UPS the completed test and any other required documents for grading.

Tardiness Policy:

If you are more than 15 minutes late, your original appointment may need to be rescheduled.

Cancellation Policy:

 If you need to reschedule your appointment, please contact Customer Service 800.314.5262.

Testing Sites:

If you require alternate accommodations, please contact Customer Service at 800.314.5262.

1.  Register for the 75 Hours of Required Education

Choose the Salesperson Licensing Package that is best for you:

• New York 75-Hour Salesperson Qualifying Course with Textbook and Master Exam Prep Package
• New York 75-Hour Salesperson Qualifying Course

2.  Complete Your Required Education and find a Broker

To be a licensed Real Estate Salesperson, you must be sponsored by a New York State licensed real estate broker.

3.  Schedule and Take the New York Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam

Applicants must schedule their exam on the New York Department of State’s Occupational Licensing Management System.   

To further prepare yourself for the exam, enroll in:

• New York Real Estate QBank

4.  Apply for Your New York Real Estate Salesperson License

The New York Real Estate Salesperson Application can be found on the New York Department of State Division of Licenisng Service website.

• Currently enrolled students with questions about reprinting a certificate, locating/tracking materials, or requesting a transfer, please contact our Customer Support team Monday–Thursday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern Time via email at restudentsupport@brightwoodsupport.com or via phone: 

800.636.9517

If you live in:   
California, call direct at: 800.660.8105
Colorado, call direct at: 800.660.2188
New Mexico, call direct at: 800.777.1171
Texas, call direct at: 800.638.9708
Minnesota, call direct at: 888.523.1020

• For questions about accessing or viewing your courses, or assistance with online education, our Technical Support team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist you by phone or email. If you require immediate assistance, please call. Emails will be responded to promptly and always within 24 hours from being sent.

Phone: 888.213.5124
Email: retechsupport@brightwoodsupport.com

• For questions about course content or curriculum, please email our instructors at reschools.instructor@brightwood.edu.

We make every attempt to make our websites and products mobile- and tablet-friendly. However, not all features are compatible with all tablets and phones.

• When working on regulated course material, we recommend using a Windows- or Mac-based desktop or laptop computer.
• We recommend the use of Windows 7-10 or Mac OS X operating systems. We also support Windows Vista and Windows XP.
• We recommend the use of Chrome or Firefox browsers. We also support Internet Explorer 8-11. We do not recommend Safari due to limited capabilities with certain features.
• We recommend online learners have the latest versions of Flash and Java installed.
• We recommend online learners have at least a 2MB connection.

In general, online access to study materials for courses shall be granted for a period of up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Online access may be less than 6 months, if limited by state law or changes made at the discretion of Brightwood Real Estate Education, powered by Kaplan.

View our Terms and Conditions policy.

Our full return policy can be found here.

Both formats are delivered online via the Internet but there are distinct differences with unique advantages designed with the highest level of convenience and success in mind. This page provides details on all of our course delivery formats.

We have a team of seasoned real estate professionals who develop our materials as well as teach our courses. Meet our lead instructors.

All Brightwood College and Brightwood Career Institute, powered by Kaplan Real Estate Education licensing, postlicensing and continuing education courses are submitted and approved by that state's governing body.

Each state has a different governing body that regulates real estate professionals with requirements that vary by state. To find the requirements for your state, go to your state's landing page and select 'State Requirements' from the top navigation.

Each state handles reciprocity differently. We encourage individuals who are licensed in a state and desire to become licensed in additional states to contact the target state regulator body for details. After obtaining the requirements necessary to be licensed in that state, our customer service team can assist you with matching courses to state reciprocity rules. 

What is the difference between a sales person and a broker? A real estate salesperson or broker is a professional licensed by their state to help consumers with real estate matters.  A salesperson must work under a managing or principal broker, this is the broker who is in charge of the brokerage firm.  Some states only license brokers, in that case, new brokers may be called broker associates and are required to work under a managing or principal broker. Much like a salesperson. 

A managing, principal or employing broker is a licensed broker who is in charge of a brokerage firm and the salespersons or broker associates of the firm. Typically to become a managing broker at least two years of active license experience and further course work and sometimes license exams are required.

No matter if you are a real estate salesperson, broker associate or managing broker the job is the same work with buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords to help them reach an agreement.

This video provides a simple five-question test to determine if you fit the profile.

An appraiser gives an opinion of the quality, value, or utility of a specific property. An appraisal is usually required whenever real estate is sold, mortgaged, taxed, insured, or developed. A typical appraisal might include physically inspecting the property, measuring the improvements and collecting the associated costs, preparing a site drawing, writing the physical description of the property, researching official records and deeds, finding similar properties to compare, and writing a final appraisal report.

• Make a list of brokerage firms you want to talk with. If you don't know where to start, browse real estate ads to see if some firms seem more interesting than others.
• Visit your local Chamber of Commerce or Board of REALTORS^® to find out which firms are best represented. Pay attention to television and radio advertising, billboards, and the “For Sale” signs you see in yards.
• Make appointments with the managing or principle broker of each real estate firm on your list. Larger firms may have recruiting managers.

• Ask the broker for an itemized list of startup expenses. Are you required to join local, regional, and national professional organizations? Are there recurring monthly or quarterly expenses for membership?
• Find out if advertising expenses are paid by the agency. How about “For Sale” signs and other signs? Do they provide them to agents free of charge?
• Who pays for long distance telephone calls to clients? How about photocopies, stamps, and other office-related expenses?
• Does the firm provide in-office computers and printers for real estate agent use, or are you expected to bring your own?
• Ask if the firm carries errors and omissions insurance for agents. If so, find out what's covered. Discuss the policy with an insurance carrier to make sure it's adequate.

According to Salary.com, most real estate agents earn on average between $36,566 and $47,610 annually. How much agents make depends on the number of transactions they complete, the commission paid to the brokerage, and their split with the sponsoring broker. If you are talking with a franchised agency, be sure to ask what percentage of each sales commission is deducted and sent to the franchising company. Top producers earn a lot more than the average real estate agent. Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's probably safe to say that a top producer would need to sell at least one home a month to qualify. Mega-stars earn $200,000 and up per year. Very few real estate professionals earn a salary versus commission.

On September 3, 2015, Kaplan concluded a previously announced agreement to sell its nationally accredited schools, including Kaplan Real Estate Education, to Education Corporation of America (ECA).  This close secures the goals of both ECA and Kaplan, as each business is strengthened. This partnership continues to be a great fit and is immediately scalable while maintaining strong, career-focused education for our students.

Going forward, your Kaplan Real Estate Education courses will be offered by Brightwood College, or Brightwood Career Institute, both are divisions of ECA. You will still receive the same high-quality education you’ve come to expect from Kaplan, written and led by the same industry-leading authors and instructors.