New York real estate license and CE requirements
What the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
New York asks salespersons and brokers for 22.5 hours of continuing education every two years, and a large share is specified: 3 hours of fair housing or discrimination, 2 hours of cultural competency, 2 hours of implicit bias, 2.5 hours of ethical business practices, an hour of recent legal matters and an hour of agency.
Salespersons in their first two-year term take 2 hours of agency instead of one. The old exemption for brokers with 15 years of licensure is gone; previously exempt New York brokers have needed CE since July 1, 2021. Attorneys admitted to the New York bar are exempt.
New York at a glance
| Licensing body | New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson, associate broker and broker |
| Salesperson CE | 22.5 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: Fair housing and/or discrimination (3 hrs), cultural competency (2 hrs), implicit bias (2 hrs), ethical business practices (2.5 hrs), recent legal matters (1 hr), law of agency (1 hr; 2 hrs for the first salesperson renewal) |
| Broker CE | 22.5 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: Fair housing and/or discrimination (3 hrs), cultural competency (2 hrs), implicit bias (2 hrs), ethical business practices (2.5 hrs), recent legal matters (1 hr), law of agency (1 hr) |
| Post-license education | None stated in the sources we checked. Check with the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services if you are newly licensed. |
| Source | NYDOS official page, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services is the only authority on what you need to renew; where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right. Blank figures say "Check with the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services" because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Optional professional development
Once your CE is done, these ACI designations go deeper on the same ground as parts of the New York requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Certified Buyer Consultation Specialist
Run the buyer consultation, sign the agreement and defend your fee.
Agency appears in New York's required topics. The CBCS covers the buyer consultation, written buyer agreements and compensation conversations in depth.
Advanced Real Estate Negotiator
The negotiation playbook that protects your clients and your commission.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the AREN is a practical playbook for negotiating offers and counters.
Certified AI Real Estate Expert
Use AI and modern tools to write, market and serve clients in less time.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the CAIRE covers using AI tools responsibly in daily work.
Questions about New York
How many CE hours does a New York salesperson need?
22.5 hours every 2 years, according to the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Fair housing and/or discrimination (3 hrs), cultural competency (2 hrs), implicit bias (2 hrs), ethical business practices (2.5 hrs), recent legal matters (1 hr), law of agency (1 hr; 2 hrs for the first salesperson renewal).
How many CE hours does a New York broker need?
22.5 hours every 2 years, according to the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Fair housing and/or discrimination (3 hrs), cultural competency (2 hrs), implicit bias (2 hrs), ethical business practices (2.5 hrs), recent legal matters (1 hr), law of agency (1 hr).
Do ACI designations count toward New York CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services and do not satisfy any part of New York's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.