What is the New York State Board of Real Estate?

Quick answer: The New York State Board of Real Estate is a 15-member regulatory body established in 1996 under Article 12-A of the Real Property Law. The board sets rules and regulations for real estate licensing, approves education providers and curricula, and advises the Secretary of State on industry standards. While you won't interact with the board directly, its decisions shape everything from your pre-licensing course to your continuing education requirements.

What the Board Does

Function	Description
Rulemaking	Creates rules and regulations for brokers and salespersons
Education standards	Approves schools, courses, and curricula for pre-licensing and continuing education
Exam oversight	Advises on policies governing licensing examinations
Public input	Holds annual public hearings in NYC, Buffalo, and Albany
Industry review	Studies real estate laws and recommends legislative changes
Enforcement support	Assists the Secretary of State in enforcing Article 12-A

Source: NY Department of State – NYS Board of Real EstateNys Board Real Estate Dos.ny.gov

The board works alongside the Division of Licensing Services, which handles the day-to-day processing of license applications, exam scheduling, and renewals. The Secretary of State has direct authority to approve or deny licenses, investigate complaints, and take disciplinary action—but the board shapes the broader policies that govern the industry.

Who Sits on the Board

The board has 15 members—a mix of real estate professionals and public representatives. At least five must be licensed real estate brokers with 10+ years of experience in New York.

Here's how appointments break down:

• Secretary of State (serves as chairperson)
• Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services
• 3 real estate brokers appointed by the Governor
• 4 public members appointed by the Governor
• 1 real estate broker appointed by the Temporary President of the Senate
• 1 public member appointed by the Temporary President of the Senate
• 1 real estate broker appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly
• 1 public member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly
• 2 additional members (broker or public) appointed by Senate and Assembly minority leaders

Board members serve two-year terms and may be reappointed, but no member can serve more than 10 years total. If a member misses three consecutive meetings without an excused absence, they forfeit their seat.

How the Board Affects Your Career

You probably won't ever sit in a board meeting, but the board's decisions directly impact your path to licensure and your ongoing requirements as an agent.

Pre-licensing education: The board establishes standards for the 77-hour salesperson courseNew York How Long Does It Take To Get Your Real Estate License In New York Career CenterNew York How Long Does It Take To Get Your Real Estate License In New York Career Center and approves the schools that can offer it. When the curriculum changes—like the expansion of fair housing training in recent years—that change comes through the board.

Continuing education: The board sets requirements for the 22.5 hours of CE you'll need every two years to renew your license. This includes mandatory topics like fair housing, agency law, and ethical business practices.

Licensing exams: While the Secretary of State administers the state licensing examNew York New York Real Estate Exam Career Center, the board advises on exam policies and content standards.

Industry regulations: Rules about agency disclosure, advertising, escrow handling, and broker supervision all fall under the board's authority. When regulations change, it's usually because the board studied the issue and recommended action.

The Division of Licensing Services

It's easy to confuse the State Board of Real Estate with the Division of Licensing Services—they work together, but they're not the same thing.

The Division of Licensing Services (part of the Department of State) handles the operational side: processing your license application, scheduling your exam, issuing your license, and managing renewals through the eAccessNY systemNydos SelSearchType.do Appext20.dos.ny.gov.

The State Board of Real Estate focuses on policy: setting education standards, establishing rules, and gathering public input on industry practices.

If you need to check your license status, schedule an exam, or submit an application, you'll work with the Division of Licensing Services. If you want to attend a public hearing about proposed rule changes, that's a board function.

Division of Licensing Services Contact:

• Website: dos.ny.gov/licensing-servicesLicensing Services Dos.ny.gov
• Phone: (518) 474-4429
• Address: NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, PO Box 22001, Albany, NY 12201-2001

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to contact the Board of Real Estate to get my license?
No. Your license application, exam scheduling, and renewals are handled by the Division of Licensing Services, not the board directly.

Can I attend board meetings?
Yes. The board holds at least three meetings per year, plus annual public hearings in New York City, Buffalo, and Albany. These are open to the public, and you can provide comments on real estate practices in the state.

What's the difference between the board and NYSAR?
The State Board of Real Estate is a government regulatory body that sets licensing rules. The New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) is a private trade organization that provides advocacy, education, and resources for its members. You don't have to join NYSAR to be a licensed agent, but many agents do for the professional benefits.

How does the board handle complaints against agents?
The board doesn't investigate individual complaints—that's the Secretary of State's authority. However, the board reviews complaint data in annual reports and may recommend rule changes based on patterns of violations.

When was the board established?
January 1, 1996, under Section 442-i of the Real Property Law (Article 12-A).

Start Your New York Real Estate Career

The State Board of Real Estate sets the standards—now it's your job to meet them. The first step is completing your 77-hour pre-licensing courseNew York How Long Does It Take To Get Your Real Estate License In New York Career CenterNew York How Long Does It Take To Get Your Real Estate License In New York Career Center from a state-approved provider.

AceableAgent's online course follows the exact curriculum established by the board and is fully approved by the New York Department of State. Study at your own pace, pass your exams, and launch your real estate career.

Start your New York pre-licensing course todayNew York Real Estate License.