Whether you’re a salesperson or broker in New York, this guide covers everything you need to know to make your continuing education and renewal process as smooth and straightforward as possible. Let us break it down for you and we even share a few insider tips at the end to help you avoid last minute stress and confidently tick this off your to-do list.
Continuing Education Requirements
To renew your real estate license in New York, you must complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education (CE) within your two-year license term. Among these hours, the following topics are mandatory:
- Cultural competency (2 hours)
- Implicit bias training (2 hours)
- Ethical business practices (2.5 hours)
- Recent legal matters (1 hour)
- Fair housing and anti-discrimination (3 hours)
- Law of agency (1 hour, or 2 hours for first-term salespersons)
If you’ve taken an approved broker qualifying course during your current term and passed the final exam, you’ll receive CE credit for it. However, even with the broker course, you must still complete 2.5 hours of ethics and 1 hour of recent legal matters to satisfy the full requirement.
Renewal Deadlines
Real estate licenses in New York are valid for two years and expire on your license anniversary date. To keep your license active, you must:
- Complete your CE requirements before the expiration date.
- Submit your renewal online via your eAccessNY account.
There are no grace periods. If your license expires, you cannot perform any real estate activities until it is renewed.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Failing to renew your license on time means you cannot legally conduct any real estate activities. However, you have up to two years after your license expires to renew it without retaking the state exam, provided you meet the current CE requirements and pay the renewal fee.
If more than two years pass without renewing, your license cannot be reinstated, and you’ll need to start the licensing process from scratch, including passing the written state exam. To avoid this, it’s critical to stay on top of deadlines.
Recent Continuing Education Regulatory Updates You Should Know
The most recent additions to the continuing education course requirements to be included in the 22.5-hour CE requirement are 2 hours of Implicit Bias training and 2 hours of Cultural Competency. Implicit Bias addresses unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that may influence decisions and actions. Cultural Competency focuses on understanding cultural norms and challenges within diverse communities.
Empire Learning offers these course topics in one 4-hour course and is a part of the 22.5-hour renewal package for New York licensees.
Additionally, as of July 1, 2021, the 15-year exemption for brokers was eliminated. All brokers must now meet the same 22.5 hours continuing education requirements as salespersons.
Best Practices for Staying Compliant
When it comes to completing your continuing education and renewing your New York real estate license, preparation and organization are key. Here are some strategies to make this renewal cycle—and future ones—a breeze.
Know Your Deadlines
Your license expiration date is printed directly on your license, and you can renew online with DOS three months prior. New York’s Department of State (NY DOS) sends reminders via email and postcard with instructions for renewing online.
Select Approved Courses Wisely
Choose CE providers like Empire Learning, which offer all the mandatory topics and electives you need. Look for courses that match your interests or professional goals, such as digital marketing, property management, or real estate investing, to make the time spent learning more engaging.
Create a CE Completion Schedule
Spread your coursework over several weeks or months rather than cramming it into a single weekend. This not only makes the workload manageable but ensures you retain valuable information to apply in your business.
Keep Your eAccessNY Login Handy
Before your renewal date, confirm that you can log in to your eAccessNY account. If you’ve forgotten your password, reset it now to save time when you’re ready to renew.
Verify Your License Status After Renewal
After completing your CE courses and submitting your renewal application, check your eAccessNY account for status updates. If your license shows “in progress,” it’s still under review by the NY DOS. Once approved, your license status will update to “current.”
Where to Find Approved Courses
Looking for engaging courses to complete your New York real estate continuing education? Empire Learning offers choices of mandatory and elective courses. Plus, exciting new courses are launching in 2025, giving you even more options to grow your skills and stay ahead in the industry.
Explore some of the popular electives available now:
Property Management Fundamentals covers everything from selecting the right investment properties to maximizing curb appeal, giving you the tools to excel in property management. If you're looking to elevate your online presence.
Digital Marketing dives into client interaction on platforms like Facebook, Zillow, and your business website, helping you attract and retain more clients.
For those interested in investment strategies, Advanced Opportunities: REOs, Short Sales, Probates, and Passive Investing reveals how to uncover unique opportunities and guide your clients through REOs, short sales, and more.
Real Estate Investing: Crunching the Numbers and Understanding Purchase Agreements teaches you how to analyze properties effectively and close investment deals with confidence. Whether you’re new to investing or want a refresher.
Real Estate Investing: Getting Started provides an introduction to residential and commercial opportunities, helping you cater to investors or dive into the market yourself.
Dive into sustainability with Going Green: Energy-Efficient Upgrades and Tax Credits, a course that shows you how to incorporate energy efficiency into your real estate practice while helping clients take advantage of green tax benefits.
Healthy Homes addresses critical issues like mold, lead, air quality, and other health concerns that can impact your clients' well-being and your transactions.
If property management is your focus, Property Management: Strategy, Operations, and the Human Ingredient goes beyond the basics to teach you how to manage people and operations for long-term success.
Single-Family Rentals 101 provides practical insights into managing single-family rental properties, equipping you with the essential tools to thrive in this growing market.
Protect yourself and your clients with Preventing Identity Theft, a course designed to keep you one step ahead of cyber threats.
For commercial agents, Opportunity Zones and Tax Credits delves into leveraging tax credits to capitalize on opportunity zones in commercial real estate.
Tax Benefits of Residential Rental Property unpacks the tax advantages that real estate professionals and their clients can gain through rental properties.
With this diverse catalog and new courses on the way, Empire Learning ensures you have everything you need to complete your CE requirements while gaining practical knowledge to enhance your career. Don’t wait—enroll today and get one step closer to renewing your license with ease.
Need Help or Have Questions?
If you have questions about your license or renewal process, rely on the New York Department of State Division of Licensing Services for accurate information. You can also reach them at (518) 474-4429.
For course enrollment or additional guidance, visit Empire Learning’s New York CE page to get started today. Staying compliant has never been easier!
