LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Thursday, January 20, 2022

New York Real Estate License Renewal Questions and Answers for NY Licensed Salespersons, Brokers, and Associate Brokers

What are the Continuing Education requirements for real estate agents in NY?

As of 7/1/2021. All licensees must receive 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years to stay licensed. NY Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons that were previously exempt from Continuing Education will no longer be exempt and will need to have completed the full CE requirements, including the new subjects prior to submitting a renewal on or after 7/1/2021. The 22.5 hours must include:

  • 3 hours on fair housing &/or discrimination
  • 2.5 hours on ethical business practices
  • 1 hour on recent legal matters governing the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons in New York, which may include statutes, laws, regulations, rules, codes, Department of State Opinions and Decisions, and Court Decisions
  • 1 hour on the law of agency (2 hours in the initial 2-year cycle)

As of 4/20/2022: All licensees must receive 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years to stay licensed. The 22.5 hours must include the following topics:

  • 3 hours on fair housing &/or discrimination
  • 2.5 hours on ethical business practices
  • 1 hour on recent legal matters governing the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons in New York, which may include statutes, laws, regulations, rules, codes, Department of State Opinions and Decisions, and Court Decisions
  • 1 hour on the law of agency (2 hours in the initial 2-year cycle)
  • 2 hours on Cultural Competency

As of 6/19/2022: All licensees must receive 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years to stay licensed. The 22.5 hours must include the following topics:

  • 3 hours on fair housing &/or discrimination
  • 2.5 hours on ethical business practices
  • 1 hour on recent legal matters governing the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons in New York, which may include statutes, laws, regulations, rules, codes, Department of State Opinions and Decisions, and Court Decisions
  • 1 hour on the law of agency (2 hours in the initial 2-year cycle)
  • 2 hours on Implicit Bias Awareness and Understanding
  • 2 hours on Cultural Competency

Who regulates my New York State Real Estate License?

The New York, Department of State (DOS) - Note Real Estate Boards / Schools / Trade Organizations are memberships not licensed. 

Are there any exemptions for Continuing Education requirements for real estate agents in NY?

NY Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons that were previously exempt from Continuing Education will no longer be exempt and will need to have completed the full CE requirements, including the new subjects prior to submitting a renewal on or after 7/1/2021.

How do I renew my New York State Real Estate License?
License renewals must be completed online through the Department of State eACCESSny website. Please note that the renewal process requires licensees to validate education completion by answering “Yes” to the Continuing Education question that confirms all CE requirements have been satisfied. If you mistakenly answer “No”, the DOS will not renew your license until they see all original course completion certificates. You also have to hold onto the original course completion certificates in the event of a license audit by the DOS.

Where can I take my Real Estate Continuing Education courses?
Lieb School offers in-person and online real estate CE courses. Lieb School's online real estate courses are on-demand videos and you can take them at your own convenience. All courses are instructed by Attorney Andrew Lieb and satisfy the NY Department of State license renewal requirements. 

Does Lieb School report my completed credits to the NY Department of State (DOS)? Am I responsible for sending my course certificates to the DOS?
Credits received from Lieb School count towards the 22.5 required from the DOS for license renewal. Certificates provided at each class serve as proof of credit hours. After each in-person class, Lieb School provides paper certificates. After each online class, Lieb School provides immediate access to download a certificate. After you complete a Lieb School class, Lieb School will submit to the Department of State, Bureau of Educational Standards, all licensee information for successful completion of each course. Upon license renewal, the DOS will require the original signed certificate if you are selected for an audit. 

How do I download a course certificate after I complete a Lieb School online class? 
  • Login Here (if you forgot your password reset it here)
  • Click on Dashboard
  • Click on "Completed Courses"
  • Click on the class you need the certificate for
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page. You will see "Cert


    ificate". To the right click on "Download Certificate". The certificate will open as a PDF.

Can I take Continuing Education after my NY Real Estate License Expires?

A licensee (salesperson or broker) can renew their license anytime within two years of the expiration date. Of course they cannot use the license once it is expired, but they do have two years to renew it before any penalties are imposed.

If the license is expired and has not been expired for over two years, they can renew the license online as long as there is a broker of record in place and they have completed the required continuing education. If they were terminated/cancelled by their previous broker, a broker must pick them up using the brokers eAccess account before they can submit an online renewal.  You can still take Continuing Education within the 2 years if your license expired. Lieb School offers on-demand 22.5 CE Credit Packages here. 

If the license has been expired for over two years, the record becomes null and void. At this point the licensee must retake and pass the NY licensing examination and can then reapply for a license. No continuing education is required to reapply as they are starting over. No qualifying education is required as long as they have a record in the Department of State system or can prove that they were previously issued a license.