NY Could Double the Time Required to Become a Real Estate Broker

New York Real Estate Licensing Update

New York May Double the Experience Requirement to Become a Real Estate Broker

The New York State Legislature has passed A9518, which would amend Real Property Law § 441(1)(b) and increase the required supervised salesperson experience from two years to four years before qualifying for a broker’s license.

What Would Change?

Currently, a New York real estate salesperson may qualify for a broker’s license after working under the supervision of a licensed broker for at least two consecutive years, assuming the applicant also satisfies the other licensing requirements.

A9518 would change that supervised experience requirement from two years to four years. In other words, future broker applicants would need twice as much supervised practical experience before becoming eligible for a broker’s license.

Why It Matters

Brokers do far more than close deals. They supervise salespersons, oversee compliance, manage risk, handle agency issues, and are responsible for ensuring that licensed activity is conducted lawfully.

The Big Question

Does more time under supervision actually create better brokers, or does competency depend more on training, mentorship, transaction exposure, and legal education?

The Argument for More Supervision

The responsibilities of real estate brokers have become more complex. Today’s brokers must understand fair housing compliance, agency disclosure, advertising rules, commission issues, antitrust risk, buyer representation agreements, escrow obligations, supervision duties, and Department of State enforcement priorities.

From that perspective, requiring more supervised experience may help ensure that future brokers have a broader base of practical exposure before they are permitted to supervise other licensees and operate brokerage businesses.

The Argument Against It

Time alone does not guarantee competency. Some salespersons receive meaningful mentorship, handle complicated transactions, and study the law intensely within two years. Others may spend four years with limited supervision, limited training, and limited exposure to complex issues.

The better question may be whether New York should focus only on years served, or whether broker readiness should be tied more directly to education, testing, supervision quality, compliance training, and actual experience.

Should the Governor Sign It?

If signed into law, A9518 would be a major shift for future broker applicants and brokerage companies planning for recruitment, succession, and growth.

Whether the change improves consumer protection will depend on whether the additional two years produce better supervision, better legal understanding, and better brokerage practices — or merely delay qualified salespersons from advancing.

Either way, every New York salesperson thinking about becoming a broker should be watching this bill closely.

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NY Just Took Aim at Private Listing Networks: What Zillow, Compass, and Every Brokerage Need to Know

New York Just Took Aim at Private Listing Networks

Assembly Bill A10679 would require public marketing of residential listings unless a seller or landlord gives informed written consent to opt out.

This past Friday, May 29, 2026, the NYS Assembly passed Bill A10679.

On June 1, 2026, it passed the NYS Senate. 

According to the bill jacket, the purpose of the bill is to require timely public advertising or marketing of listed residential properties on platforms accessible to the general public, while permitting non-public marketing only where the seller gives informed, written direction after receiving a standardized state disclosure that explains the risks and tradeoffs of withholding a listing from public marketing.

Why This Matters

The bill directly targets private listing networks, pocket listings, private exclusives, and other restricted marketing strategies where properties may be shown to limited audiences before being publicly available.

The bill justification states that access to information shapes outcomes for buyers and sellers. It identifies Private Listing Networks as a strategy used by real estate brokers to quietly market properties to internal audiences for indefinite periods of time, outside the view of other brokerages and a broader pool of potential buyers.

If enacted, the law would create a new section of the Real Property Law, RPL 443-b, and would require a standardized disclosure form for any seller or landlord who opts out of public marketing.

The Proposed Opt-Out Disclosure

The proposed disclosure form would require sellers and landlords to acknowledge, in writing, the potential consequences of withholding a property from public marketing, including:

• Reduced visibility to buyers, tenants, and agents outside the listing brokerage.
• Limited online exposure through websites, syndicated feeds, email blasts, listservs, newsletters, and similar channels.
• Fewer offers and possible impact on price and timing because reduced exposure may affect the seller’s ability to sell or lease sooner, on better terms, or at a higher price.
• Restricted marketing channels including publicly accessible listing websites, MLS websites, online marketplaces, social media platforms, and broad digital services.
• Continued fair housing obligations because any marketing that does occur still cannot discriminate against protected classes.

Compliance Risk for Brokerages

Real estate brokerage firms should immediately review their private listing, pocket listing, and seller opt-out procedures. Even if this specific bill is not enacted, written informed consent can help show that the brokerage and its agents acted competently, explained material risks, and fulfilled their fiduciary duties.

The proposed law would also prohibit listing agents from altering or omitting required disclosure language in the standardized form. Any additional language added by a listing agent could not be misleading or inconsistent with the purpose of the disclosure.

For brokerages, this is not just a marketing issue. It is a litigation risk issue. If a seller later claims that a private listing strategy reduced exposure, suppressed competition, delayed a sale, or impacted price, the brokerage’s records, disclosures, and consent process will matter. 

Stay Ahead of Brokerage Litigation Risk

Private listing policies are rapidly becoming one of the most scrutinized issues in real estate. Whether this bill becomes law or not, brokerages should review their policies, disclosure forms, and seller communications now to reduce exposure to fiduciary duty, negligence, fair housing, and consumer protection claims.

If your brokerage needs guidance on private listings, seller disclosures, compliance procedures, or defending against real estate litigation, contact Lieb at Law, P.C. to discuss your risk management strategy before regulators, competitors, or plaintiffs' attorneys do.

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Brokerages Are Now on the Hook for Agent Telemarketing: What Hollis v. eXp Means for You

Every real estate brokerage should be watching Hollis v. eXp Realty closely, where the court denied eXp Realty’s motion to dismiss, allowing Plaintiff's claims of both direct and vicarious liability to move forward. In this case, eXp is being held responsible for both their own unsolicited telemarketing (like, cold calling and cold texts) and more importantly, the unsolicited telemarketing undertaken by their agents/associated licensees.

The case involves allegations on unsolicited calls made in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA"), which comes with steep penalties of $500 to $1,500 per unlawful call or text. Historically, many real estate brokerages believed that they were insulated from liability because agents/associated licensees were treated as independent contractors so they were not responsible under vicarious liability. However, in the Court's latest ruling, a clear shift occurred where brokerages were told that they can be held accountable when agents/associated licensees, who they supervise, violate the TCPA.

After the denial of their motion-to-dismiss, eXp Realty and the agent defendant filed their answers, and the case is now moving through the discovery process. 

Every brokerage should treat this case as a wake-up call. Now is the time to act. Implement or update TCPA compliance policies, train agents/associated licensees on proper lead-generation practices, prohibit unsolicited autodialed calls and texts, audit marketing systems, CRMs, and third-party vendors, and document compliance and supervision efforts. 

Failing to supervise agents/associated licensees marketing activities is no longer an option, brokerages can be on the hook for agent misconduct.

If your brokerage needs a TCPA compliance audit or guidance on agent supervision, contact Lieb at Law, P.C.

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New Bill Would Require Written Buyer Broker Agreements in NY

A new bill introduced by Assemblymember Cruz, Bill A08910, proposes significant changes to New York’s real estate brokerage law. If enacted, the bill would add Section 442-m to the Real Property Law and modify Section 443, the existing agency disclosure statute, to require written Buyer Broker Agreements (BBAs) that include clear and conspicuous disclosures about compensation.

Key Requirements Under the Bill

Under the Bill, a Buyer's Broker Agreement (BBA) must contain the following:

(a) Clearly and conspicuously contain the following disclosure: "Compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable."

(b) The name, address and contact information for all parties to the agreement;

(c) The length of the agreement including the length of any condition under which the real estate broker may still have a claim for compensation after the agreement expires;

(d) The type of agency relationship between the buyer and the real estate broker; and

(e) The terms of compensation, including:

(i) The amount the buyer agrees to compensate the real estate broker;

(ii) How the amount of compensation will be determined;

(iii) When compensation is earned by the real estate broker;

(iv) When compensation is due to the real estate broker;

(v) The consent of the buyer if the real estate broker will share any compensation with another broker;

(vi) The consent of the buyer if the broker will be requesting any compensation from another party; and

(vii) The consent of the buyer if the broker will be compensated by more than one party.

Potential Legal Conflict: Statute of Frauds

Although transparency is a worthy goal, this bill raises legal questions. Notably, it may conflict with the Statute of Frauds under GOL § 5-701(a)(10), which exempts licensed real estate brokers and salespersons from the written contract requirement. Additionally, duplicating agency disclosures, first in the statutory disclosure form and again in the BBA - could be viewed as superfluous and if they conflict, real issues could emerge.

Why Brokers Should Pay Attention

While this bill hasn't advanced in the legislature and is not law yet, it's a clear signal of where things may be headed in response to commission related scrutiny across the industry. Smart brokers can use this bill as a template to proactively strengthen their buyer's brokerage agreements, improve transparency, and minimize legal risk.

📞 Need Help Drafting or Reviewing Your Buyer Broker Agreement?

The proposed legislation may not be law yet - but smart brokers get ahead of compliance.
Contact Lieb at Law, P.C. to review your current agreements or create custom templates that protect your commissions and meet evolving legal standards.

👉 Learn More.

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Addressing Legal Needs for Real Estate Brokerages

Lieb at Law represents many of the nation's largest real estate brokerage companies in addition to small and medium-sized offices and individual licensees. The firm's services range from advising cutting edge PropTech startups on corporate structuring and securities laws from seed round to operational compliance and more. We also offer traditional brokerage firms full litigation services.

Lieb at Law's real estate brokerage litigation services includes representation in courts, arbitrations, and mediation where we conduct hearings, trials, and appeals in addition to negotiating favorable settlements,on such topics as:

• Anti Competitive Practices
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty
• Commission Disputes / Affidavits of Entitlement
• Fair Housing & Discrimination
• False Advertising
• Fraud / Fraudulent Inducement
• License Law Violations and Administrative Complaints before the Government
• NAR / REBNY Ethics & MLS / RLS Complaints
• Subpoenaed Non-Party Witness Representation

In addition to their litigation expertise, Lieb at Law assists in mitigating litigation risk by developing customized policies, forms, and procedures for each company, aimed at enhancing overall compliance and reducing legal challenges. They draft independent contractor agreements, in compliance with such laws as the Freelance Isn't Free Act, and employment agreements, so as to avoid misclassification issues. Furthermore, their extensive training programs for licensees, including digital on-demand sessions, play a crucial role in equipping real estate broker's to defend against lawsuits effectively.

Lieb at Law's trainings and policies are meticulously crafted to mitigate litigation risks. Led by Attorney Andrew Lieb, their compliance courses provide invaluable insights and practical guidance, helping licensees, managers, and other employees and independent contractors, stay up-to-date with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Explore Lieb at Law's comprehensive range of TRAININGS & CERTIFICATIONS, covering essential topics such as Fair Housing & Discrimination, Rental Training, Subsidies Training, Housing Security and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, Agency Disclosure, Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, New Agent Training / Orientation Training, Commercial Compliance, Property Manager Compliance, License Law Annual Updates, and License Obligations.

At Lieb at Law, they understand the importance of proactive legal measures and ongoing education in safeguarding the interests of real estate brokerage companies. Trust Lieb at Law to be your strategic partner in navigating legal challenges and ensuring compliance in today's changing real estate brokerage industry.

Contact Lieb at Law today.  

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