How to Renew Your NY Real Estate License (Without Losing It)

Whether you're a seasoned broker or a first-time salesperson, renewing your New York real estate license is not optional — it's legally required. And if you’re not careful, one small mistake in the renewal process could leave you unlicensed, out of compliance with Article 12-A, and unable to collect commissions.

At Lieb School, we train thousands of real estate professionals every year to meet their continuing education (CE) requirements on time and with ease. As the legal educators behind Lieb at Law, P.C., we’re also keeping a close eye on compliance risks that can cost you your livelihood.

Here’s what the NY Department of State (DOS) wants every licensee to know for a smooth, penalty-free renewal.

✅ TIP: The #1 Mistake to Avoid

Quoted directly from the DOS:
“They need to renew online and make sure they answer ‘YES’ to the continuing education question. If they mistakenly answer ‘NO’, we will not renew their license until we see their original course completion certificates.”

So let’s be clear:
Always answer “YES” to the continuing education question — if you’ve completed your 22.5 hours. Otherwise, your license will be delayed or denied.

📝 How to Renew Your NY Real Estate License

Renewal is done 100% online via eAccessNY. Follow these steps:

1. Log in: Visit eAccessNY and log into your account.
2. Access Your License: From the main menu, click “List of Licenses” and select the license you wish to renew.
3. Click “Renew License”: If your broker or office affiliation has changed, your broker must update your sponsorship BEFORE you renew.
4. Answer the CE Question: Affirm that you completed your required CE — or risk rejection.
5. Submit Payment: Enter your credit card details and click Submit (once!). You’ll get a confirmation page — print or save it.

📩 What Happens Next?

A confirmation page means your application has been submitted, but not yet approved. You must check your license status in your eAccessNY portal under “Application Status Display.”

If it says “In Progress”, DOS is still reviewing your application. If anything is missing, they will notify you.

🚫 What If I Clicked "NO" by Mistake?

You’ll receive a rejection notice. To move forward, you must email original certificates of your CE course completions to the Bureau of Educational Standards, even if it was a mistake.

Avoid this mess by:

• Completing your CE well in advance
• Answering “YES” when asked about CE
• Saving your original certificates for at least two years (you may be audited)

📅 When Should I Renew?

You can renew 90 days (3 months) before your license expires. The expiration date is printed directly on your license, and reminders are sent via email and postcard.

⏳ Don’t wait: If your license expires and stays expired for 2 years, you’ll need to:

• Retake the state exam
• Reapply from scratch
• Pay all new fees

🎓 Learn With Lieb School

Need CE hours? Our fully online, on-demand CE packages are designed to satisfy ALL NY requirements — including:

• Fair Housing / Discrimination (3 hrs)
• Implicit Bias (2 hrs)
• Cultural Competency (2 hrs)
• Agency Law (1–2 hrs)
• Ethics (2.5 hrs)
• Legal Updates (1 hr)
• Electives from expert attorney instructors

📘 View CE Packages for NY Salesperson or Broker License Renewal »

⚖️ Questions About Legal Compliance?

If you're audited, face disciplinary action, or get into legal trouble due to a licensing issue, contact Lieb at Law, P.C. Our attorneys represent brokers and salespersons in DOS investigations, commission disputes, and real estate litigation throughout New York.

🔍 Learn About Our Real Estate Brokerage Law Services »

🏛 About Lieb School & Lieb at Law, P.C.

Lieb School is a New York Department of State-approved real estate school delivering practical legal education for license renewal. All instructors are licensed attorneys from Lieb at Law, P.C., a boutique law firm focused on real estate, employment, and discrimination litigation.

*attorney advertising

New Rules of Real Estate Commissions: Essential Updates After the NAR Sitzer Case

The real estate industry is undergoing seismic changes, and the recent NAR Sitzer lawsuit has turned the world of real estate commissions on its head. Whether you’re a broker, an agent, or someone looking to buy or sell a home, understanding these changes is crucial to navigating the new landscape. 

The Landmark Sitzer Settlement: What Happened?

The NAR Sitzer lawsuit has fundamentally altered how real estate commissions are structured and negotiated. In essence, the lawsuit challenged the traditional cooperative compensation rule that caused sellers to pay commissions to both their own broker and the buyer’s broker through required fee sharing. This practice was deemed anti-competitive by a court, leading to a massive settlement and a shift in the industry.

What Does This Mean For Brokers and Agents:

The traditional model of commission splitting is no longer guaranteed. Brokers must now negotiate their compensation separately from the other side of the transaction. This change means that you need to be more strategic in how you structure your agreements and ensure that your clients understand the value you bring to the table.

What Does This Mean For Homebuyers and Sellers:

You might see a change in how you pay for brokerage services. Buyers may now be responsible for paying their broker directly, which could impact your overall budget. However, this also opens up more transparent negotiations, potentially leading to more competitive commission rates. Most importantly, buyers will receive Buyer Brokerage Agreements before touring homes that set forth how much their broker is going to be paid. 

Navigating the New Rules:

With these changes, staying informed and adaptable is key. Brokers need to understand the new legal requirements and adjust their practices accordingly. Here’s what you need to know:

• Contractual Obligations: Understanding the nuances of buyer brokerage agreements is more important than ever. Ensure that your contracts are clear and that both parties understand their responsibilities.
• Negotiation Strategies: With the industry moving away from the traditional cooperative compensation rule, it’s essential to develop new strategies for negotiating commissions and concessions. This is where your expertise as a broker can really shine.

Dive Deeper with The Lieb Cast Podcast:

For an in-depth breakdown of these changes and how they will impact your business, don’t miss our latest episodes of The Lieb Cast:

•  Big Changes in Real Estate Commissions: What You Need to Know: Real Estate Brokerage Attorney Andrew Lieb discusses the NAR Sitzer lawsuit and its implications for both buying and selling brokers. Find out whether you’ll pay more or less in commissions and how to hire a broker in this new reality.
• The New Reality of Real Estate Negotiations: Factoring in Commissions for Net Numbers and Concessions: Attorney Andrew Lieb and his legal team explore how brokers must adapt to new commission structures and the importance of understanding contractual obligations in today’s market.

Broker Continue Education:

To stay ahead of the curve, we highly recommend enrolling in our Compensation Post-NAR Sitzer Lawsuit: This 2.5 credit CE course satisfies the recent legal matters topical requirement for NY real estate salespersons and brokers.

In this on-demand video course, Attorney Andrew Lieb will guide you through:

• The details of the Sitzer case and its implications for real estate commissions.
• Changes to the NAR Cooperative Compensation Rule.
• Best practices for structuring your client relationships and transactions within the new legal framework.

This Continuing Education course is an essential resource for any real estate professional serious about understanding and profiting from the post-Sitzer commission landscape.

Stay informed, stay compliant, and stay competitive with Lieb School and The Lieb Cast!

Contact lead counsel of a real estate brokerage class action, anti-trust, and anticompetitive practices suit. 

NY Real Estate Course Cultural Competency

In New York all real estate licensees (real estate salespersons, brokers, and associate brokers) must receive 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years to stay licensed. Part of the requirement is a 2 hour class on cultural competency. 

Lieb School offers a web-based video (on-demand) class that satisfies the NY continuing education requirement of cultural competency. This course also satisfies the cultural competency requirement to obtain a broker's license. 

To learn more about and register for the Cultural Competency class CLICK HERE. 

For more information on our on-demand real estate continuing education courses and $99 license renewal package CLICK HERE. 

All Lieb School courses are instructed by Attorney Andrew Lieb. 

NY Real Estate Qualifying Education Update for Broker Applicants

Recent legislation revising the Real Estate Property Law regarding the qualifying education requirements for real estate brokers was recently adopted.  Effective September 21, 2022, all individuals applying for a real estate broker license must complete two hours of instruction pertaining to cultural competency. 

In order to satisfy the new education requirements, broker applicants will be allowed to submit proof of completing a 2-hour continuing education course on cultural competency.

 

Please note: Effective December 21 ,2022, the 45-hour broker course will increase to 75 hours and includes cultural competency training.

Lieb School offers the 2 hour cultural competency course. You can register for it here. 

Podcast | Foreclosures & Mortgage Modifications - Perspective From The Lender

You can't just decide to stop paying your mortgage without consulting with your Lender. 

In Episode 42, Andrew and Lauren breakdown the cost/benefit analysis of whether you deserve a mortgage modification. We discuss foreclosure lawsuits, mortgage terms and what motivates a modification from your lenders perspective.

In Episode 43, From the initial phone call to the bank, we go through how to get a mortgage forbearance agreement and understand the terms before you find yourself with a much bigger problem. Bob Lund leads the residential lending department at Bethpage Federal Credit Union and shares insights from his perspective.

Click Here for Episode 42

Click Here for Episode 43