Maintaining the ability to practice real estate in New York State requires adherence to the renewal regulations set forth by the NYS Department of State (DOS). Every licensed salesperson and broker must proactively manage their biennial renewal cycle to ensure continuous compliance with state law. The renewal process is mandated and managed by the Division of Licensing Services, which relies on licensees to fulfill all educational and administrative prerequisites on time.
Mandatory Continuing Education Requirements
New York Real Property Law, Article 12-A, mandates that all licensees must complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education (CE) during each two-year licensing period. This requirement must be completed before a licensee can submit their renewal application. The coursework keeps practitioners current on legal and ethical standards, ensuring professional conduct.
The total hours are broken down into several specific, mandatory topics. Licensees must complete three hours of instruction on fair housing, covering anti-discrimination laws and related practices. An additional 2.5 hours must be dedicated to ethical business practices, and one hour focuses on recent legal matters governing real estate practice.
Further specialized coursework includes two hours of training on implicit bias awareness and two hours on cultural competency. The law of agency also requires a minimum of one hour of instruction, though a first-time salesperson renewal requires two hours. The remaining credits needed to reach the 22.5-hour total may be fulfilled with any DOS-approved elective courses.
The Official NYS License Renewal Procedure
Once the continuing education requirements are satisfied, the administrative renewal process is conducted online through the NYS DOS eAccessNY portal. Licensees are notified via postcard and email approximately 90 days before their license expiration date, indicating the renewal window is open. Accessing the portal requires the licensee’s unique identifier and login credentials to begin the application.
The online application prompts the licensee to review and verify their personal and professional information, including their current business affiliation. The electronic submission requires affirming the completion of the required 22.5 hours of continuing education. The application cannot proceed without the licensee attesting that all educational requirements have been met.
The two-year renewal cycle is completed by submitting the required fee via the eAccessNY system. The fee is payable by credit card. Once the payment is processed and the application is submitted, the renewal is considered pending review by the DOS, and the licensee can track the status through the online portal.
Key Differences Between Salesperson and Broker Renewals
While both salespersons and brokers are subject to the same 22.5-hour continuing education requirement, their renewal process includes distinctions in administrative requirements and fees. A real estate salesperson must pay a renewal fee of $55 every two years to maintain their license. A licensed real estate broker is charged a higher renewal fee of $155.
A significant difference applies to a broker seeking to license a corporation or business entity. This entity must first be properly filed with the New York State Corporations Bureau before applying for a corporate real estate broker license. Brokers also carry the direct responsibility for retaining all records of real estate transactions effected through their office, a duty not shared by salespersons.
Reinstating an Expired or Lapsed License
A real estate license becomes inactive immediately upon its expiration date if the renewal process has not been completed. This lapse means the licensee must cease all real estate activities, as there is no grace period for practicing with an expired license. A licensee has a maximum of two years from the expiration date to reactivate the license without restarting the initial licensing process.
To reinstate the license within this two-year window, the professional must first complete all 22.5 hours of continuing education due for the renewal cycle. Once the CE requirement is satisfied, the licensee can log into the eAccessNY portal to submit the renewal application and pay the applicable fee. If two years pass without reinstatement, the license is considered permanently lapsed, requiring the individual to retake the pre-licensing course and pass the state exam.
Maintaining Audit Compliance and Records
After successfully renewing a license, compliance obligations shift to maintaining accurate and accessible records. The DOS conducts random audits, and all licensees must be prepared to furnish proof of their continuing education completion upon request. Although course providers report completions to the state, the licensee is ultimately responsible for retaining the original completion certificates.
Licensees should keep their CE certificates for an extended period to demonstrate compliance during an audit. Licensed brokers must keep all transaction records for a minimum of three years. Failure to produce the necessary documentation during a DOS audit, whether for CE completion or transaction records, can lead to delays in renewal, disciplinary action, or license suspension.