New York Real Estate License Lookup: Verify an Agent, Salesperson or Broker
Use the official eAccessNY Public License Search to verify a New York real estate salesperson, broker, associate broker, brokerage or office before you hire, refer, sign an agreement or rely on a license claim.
New York uses a separate eAccessNY search for real estate. The general Department of State license search does not handle real estate brokers and salespersons, so choosing the correct portal is the first step.
Quick Answer: How to Use the NYS Real Estate License Lookup
Go to the New York Department of State eAccessNY Public License Search. Choose a search by name, specified license type, license number, city or county. Open the matching record and check the legal name, license number, license type, current status and expiration date.
If you click the licensee’s name, eAccessNY can provide additional details such as practice location, business name and related license information. For a consumer check, compare those fields with the person’s advertising, brokerage website, contract or business card before relying on the license.
Use eAccessNY, Not the General NYS Licensee Search
New York Department of State operates more than one public licensing search. This is a common reason people cannot find an agent or broker even when the person is licensed.
Real estate salesperson or broker
Use eAccessNY Public License Search for New York real estate salespersons, associate brokers, brokers and related real estate license records.
General DOS Licensee Search
The general Department of State licensing-status search covers many other DOS occupations, but it specifically directs users to eAccessNY for real estate brokers and salespersons.
The general DOS licensing database can include Real Estate Appraiser records. A real estate appraiser license is not the same credential as a real estate salesperson or broker license.
How to Verify a New York Real Estate License Step by Step
Open eAccessNY Public License Search
No licensee login is required for a public verification. Choose the public search rather than creating an account simply to check another person’s license.
Choose the most precise search method
Use the full license number when available. Otherwise search by individual name, organization name, specified license type, city or county.
Match the correct person or organization
Do not rely on a similar name. Compare license type, business name, practice location and other identifying information returned by the system.
Check current status and expiration
The search results include the status of the current license and its expiration date. An expired record should not be treated as current authority to perform licensed real estate activity.
Confirm brokerage affiliation
For a salesperson or associate broker, open the detailed record and confirm the business or sponsoring broker information before relying on the person’s claim of affiliation.
Save dated proof
For hiring, referral or transaction records, save the license number, type, status, expiration, business affiliation, official source and date checked.
eAccessNY Search Types and When to Use Each One
| Search type | Best use | Important input rule |
|---|---|---|
| Search by Name | Agent, salesperson, broker or brokerage name. | Individual searches use last and first name. Organization searches require at least four characters. |
| Name for a Specified License Type | Common names or when you already know the credential category. | Choose the correct real estate license type to narrow unrelated matches. |
| License Number | Fastest precise verification. | Enter the entire UID. Letters in the license number must be uppercase. |
| City | Finding licensees or approved resources within a specific city. | A license type and city must be selected. |
| County | Finding licensees within a New York county. | A license type and county must be selected. |
eAccessNY says name searches are not case-sensitive. Apostrophes and hyphens should be removed because they are treated as invalid characters. For example, an O’Brien search should be entered without the apostrophe.
What the NY Real Estate License Search Result Shows
The first result screen gives the core fields needed to decide whether you found the right license. Open the record for more context instead of stopping at the result row.
| Field | What it means | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Name associated with the state license record. | Compare spelling with the person, contract and brokerage information. |
| License Number / UID | Unique Identification Number assigned to the license. | Use this as the strongest match when similar names appear. |
| License Type | Shows whether the record is salesperson, broker or another real estate category. | Make sure the license type matches the role the person claims to hold. |
| Status | Status of the current license record. | Do not rely on an expired or otherwise noncurrent record for licensed activity. |
| Expiration Date | End of the current two-year license term. | Make sure the license covers the transaction or employment period. |
| Practice Location / Business Name | Additional details shown after opening the record. | Compare the practice location and brokerage with the person’s current representation. |
Agent, Salesperson, Associate Broker and Broker: Know the Difference
“Real estate agent” is common consumer language. New York’s licensing system uses specific legal license categories, so verify the credential title shown in eAccessNY rather than relying on a marketing title.
Real Estate Salesperson
A New York salesperson must be associated with a licensed real estate broker. Sponsorship also matters when an eligible salesperson renews a license.
Real Estate Broker
A broker meets additional education and experience requirements and may conduct brokerage business in the licensed capacity authorized by New York law.
Associate Broker
An associate broker holds broker-level licensure but is associated with another broker. When verifying the record, check the associated business information as well as the license type.
A trade or membership title does not replace New York Department of State license verification. For a transaction, confirm the state license record first.
Consumer Checklist Before Hiring a New York Agent or Broker
- Match the exact legal name.
- Confirm the complete license UID.
- Check whether the person is a salesperson, broker or associate broker.
- Read the current status.
- Check the expiration date.
- Confirm the business name and practice location.
- Verify the salesperson’s or associate broker’s brokerage affiliation.
- Save the date you completed the lookup.
- A business card.
- A social-media profile.
- A brokerage website profile.
- A listing-platform profile.
- A REALTOR® membership claim.
- An old pocket card or screenshot.
- A similar-name search result.
- A verbal claim that renewal is pending.
License Status Is Not the Same as a Discipline Check
eAccessNY’s public license result focuses on license information such as name, number, type, current status and expiration. A consumer with a higher-risk transaction may also want to review public Department of State hearing or enforcement information.
Confirm authority first
Use eAccessNY to confirm the person’s official real estate license record and current status.
Review public hearing information separately
The Department of State Office of Administrative Hearings handles proceedings involving licensing discipline. Depending on the case, outcomes can include dismissal, reprimand, fines, suspension or revocation.
Use the Licensing Services complaint route
The Preliminary Statement of Complaint asks for the person or firm involved, the license number if known, a factual description and relevant supporting documents.
A complaint can lead to review, investigation, informal resolution, dismissal or administrative action. Use final official decisions rather than treating an allegation by itself as a disciplinary finding.
Need to Check Many New York Real Estate Licenses?
For one agent or broker, use eAccessNY. For roster reviews, research or bulk compliance work, New York also publishes the Active Real Estate Salespersons and Brokers dataset through NY Open Data.
Use eAccessNY
Best for a current individual lookup when you need the official public license record and detailed license information.
Use NY Open Data
The state dataset contains active real estate salesperson and broker license information and is published on a daily update cycle. It can be browsed, filtered, sorted or exported.
The Open Data dataset is designed around active licenses. If you are investigating a missing, expired or historical record, do not treat absence from the active dataset as a complete licensing-history answer.
New York Real Estate License Renewal: What the Lookup User Should Know
New York real estate salesperson and broker licenses are issued for two-year terms. Renewal is handled online through eAccessNY.
About three months before expiration
The Department sends an email and postcard reminder approximately 90 days before expiration. The eAccessNY renewal application becomes available during the renewal window.
Sponsoring broker is required
A salesperson or associate broker must have a sponsoring broker to be eligible for renewal. Incorrect association information should be fixed before the renewal is submitted.
Expired means stop licensed activity
New York states that there is no grace period allowing a person to continue performing activities requiring a real estate license after expiration.
Two-year renewal access after expiration
The licensee can generally access the renewal process for up to two years after expiration, but that does not authorize licensed activity while the license is expired.
New application route may be required
If the license is not renewed within the two-year post-expiration period, the Department requires the person to pass the state written examination and submit a new salesperson or broker application and fee.
Submission is not approval
After online renewal is submitted, check eAccessNY again. A confirmation page proves submission, not that the Department has approved the renewal.
Continuing Education Required for NY Real Estate Renewal
Most New York real estate licensees must complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year license term before renewal.
| Required topic | Minimum hours | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Fair housing / discrimination | 3 hours | Must address approved fair-housing or discrimination content. |
| Ethical business practices | 2.5 hours | Part of the 22.5-hour total. |
| Recent legal matters | 1 hour | Must be completed within the applicable license term. |
| Implicit bias | 2 hours | Required for salesperson and broker renewals unless an exemption applies. |
| Cultural competency | 2 hours | Included within the total 22.5 hours. |
| Law of agency | 1 hour | For a salesperson’s initial two-year licensing term, 2 hours of agency instruction are required. |
The former 15-year broker continuing-education exemption was removed. Attorneys admitted to the New York State Bar remain exempt from the real estate continuing-education requirement.
The Department advises licensees to contact the approved school if they are unsure whether the 22.5-hour requirement was completed. Schools are required to retain course-completion records for three years.
New York Real Estate License Fees
| Fee | Salesperson | Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Initial application | $65 | $185 |
| Renewal | $65 | $185 |
| Written exam | $15 | $15 |
| Duplicate license / registration | $10 | $10 |
| Personal name / address change | $10 | $10 |
Fees can change. Use the current Department of State salesperson or broker page before submitting an application, exam payment or renewal.
Salesperson vs Broker Licensing Requirements
A license lookup often leads to a second question: what does the credential actually represent? These are the core current New York entry requirements.
| Requirement | Real Estate Salesperson | Real Estate Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 | 20 |
| Qualifying education | 77 hours of approved qualifying education. | 152 hours of approved qualifying education. |
| State exam | Pass NYS Real Estate Salesperson examination. | Pass NYS Real Estate Broker examination. |
| Sponsorship / experience | Must be sponsored by a NYS licensed real estate broker. | At least 2 years as a licensed salesperson or at least 3 years of qualifying general real estate experience, or an accepted combination, plus applicable experience points. |
| NYS photo ID | Current NYS photo driver’s license or non-driver ID. | Current NYS photo driver’s license or non-driver ID. |
1½ hours
The salesperson written exam is multiple choice and based on the 77-hour prelicensing curriculum. Results are reported as pass or fail.
2½ hours
The broker written exam is multiple choice and based on the 152-hour prelicensing curriculum.
The Department states that passed real estate examination results are valid for two years. Applicants should complete the appropriate application within the required period.
Can’t Find a New York Real Estate License? Try These Fixes
| Problem | Likely reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No agent result | You used the general DOS licensee search. | Switch to eAccessNY Public License Search. |
| Name not found | Spelling, punctuation or former name. | Use fewer starting letters and remove apostrophes or hyphens. |
| Too many matches | Common name. | Use specified license type, city, county or full UID. |
| License number rejected | Incomplete UID or lowercase letters. | Enter the entire license number and capitalize any letters. |
| Brokerage not found | Organization search requires enough characters. | Choose Search by Name, select Organization and enter at least four characters of the organization name. |
| Previously licensed person is missing | License may have expired or the search criteria may not match the current record. | Use the licensee’s eAccessNY account for their own status or contact Licensing Services when a public search cannot resolve the issue. |
| Renewal says “in progress” | Application is eligible, submitted or still awaiting Department review. | Use Application Status Display in the licensee account and wait for Department review or a request for additional information. |
NYS Division of Licensing Services Contact Information
Use the public search first. Contact the Division when you cannot resolve a license, renewal, association, account or application issue through eAccessNY.
| Contact item | Current official information |
|---|---|
| Agency | New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services |
| General phone | (518) 474-4429 |
| Call center hours | Monday–Friday, 8:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except legal holidays |
| Albany physical address | 1 Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor, Albany, NY 12231 |
| Albany customer service hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Mailing address | NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services, PO Box 22001, Albany, NY 12201-2001 |
| Accessibility phone route | Deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-disabled callers may use 7-1-1. |
The Department advises visitors to monitor its current licensing page for office-hour updates, closures and service changes before traveling.
Official New York Real Estate License Resources
Use these official sources after you identify the task you need to complete.
New York Real Estate License Lookup FAQs
How do I verify a New York real estate agent or broker license?
Use the New York Department of State eAccessNY Public License Search. Search by full license number when available, or use the person’s name, specified license type, city or county. Open the matching record and confirm license type, status, expiration, practice location and business affiliation.
Why can’t I find a real estate agent in the general NYS license search?
The general Department of State licensing-status search does not handle real estate brokers and salespersons. It directs users to eAccessNY for those real estate licenses. Switch to the eAccessNY Public License Search before assuming no license exists.
Can I search a New York real estate license by license number?
Yes. Use Search by License Number in eAccessNY and enter the complete Unique Identification Number. If the UID contains letters, the Department instructs users to enter those letters in uppercase.
Can I search a New York brokerage by company name?
Yes. Choose Search by Name, select the organization option and enter at least four characters of the organization name. Open the correct result and compare the business name, location and related license information.
What information does eAccessNY show in a real estate license result?
The initial search results include the name, license number, license type, status of the current license and expiration date. Opening the licensee’s name can provide more detail such as practice location, business name and related license information.
How long is a New York real estate license valid?
New York real estate salesperson and broker licenses are issued for two-year terms. Check the exact expiration date in eAccessNY because each licensee’s current term is based on the individual record.
How much does it cost to renew a New York real estate license?
The Department of State currently lists a $65 renewal fee for a real estate salesperson and a $185 renewal fee for a real estate broker. Verify the current official fee before submitting payment because fees can change.
How many continuing education hours are required for New York real estate renewal?
Most licensees must complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education during the two-year license term. Required topics include fair housing, ethical business practices, recent legal matters, implicit bias, cultural competency and law of agency. Attorneys admitted to the New York State Bar remain exempt from the continuing-education requirement.
Can I keep working if my New York real estate license expires?
No. The Department of State states that there is no grace period allowing a person to continue performing activities that require a New York real estate license while the license is expired. An eligible licensee may still have a renewal route for up to two years after expiration, but the expired license does not authorize licensed activity during that period.
Does an active eAccessNY license result prove there is no disciplinary history?
No. The eAccessNY license result confirms licensing information such as name, number, type, status and expiration. If disciplinary history matters for a transaction, hiring or compliance decision, review the Department of State’s separate administrative-hearing and enforcement resources as well.
Verify the New York Real Estate Record Before You Rely on It
Start with eAccessNY, use the full UID whenever possible, confirm the exact license type, read the current status and expiration date, and open the detailed record to verify the brokerage or practice location. If the license is expired, renewal is pending or a disciplinary concern exists, resolve that issue through the appropriate Department of State route before treating the person as currently authorized.