Best Online Real Estate Schools in New York (2026)
Compare 10 New York DOS-approved schools. Find the best price with exclusive CertLaunch discounts and get your real estate license faster.
Course Cost
$99 – $689
Time to License
2 – 12 weeks
Avg Salary
$95,000/yr
Required Hours
77 hours
Top 3 New York Real Estate Schools at a Glance
1. AYPO Real Estate
Most affordable option for the 77-hour NY course.
$89
2. RealEstateU
Audio-based self-paced learning with great value.
$79
with code CERTLAUNCH
3. Corofy
Modern platform built specifically for New York licensing.
$99
Best Real Estate Schools in New York
All 10 schools are New York DOS-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
RealEstateU
Best ValueStarting at
$99
$79
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Audio course included
- Video lessons
Available Packages (3)
License Essentials
- 77-hour NY pre-license course
- On-demand video lessons
- Audio course
- 30-day money-back guarantee
AYPO Real Estate
Starting at
$89
- Pass or don't pay guarantee
- Unlimited practice exams
Available Packages (2)
Standard 77-Hr Course
- 77-hour pre-license course
- Review questions
- Unlimited practice exam attempts
- Certificate of completion
Corofy
Starting at
$99
- 95% pass rate
- Lifetime job placement assistance
- NY-focused school
Available Packages (2)
77-Hour Pre-Licensing Course
- 77-hour DOS-approved course
- Certificate of completion
- 24/7 customer support
- Lifetime job placement assistance
MLS Campus
Starting at
$99
- AI virtual instructor
- Audio learning
- Mobile & desktop
Available Packages (2)
Basic
- 77-hour pre-license course
- Practice exams
- Instructor support
Aceable Agent
Top RatedStarting at
$239
- Ace or Don't Pay guarantee
- Native iOS & Android app
- 94% national pass rate
Available Packages (3)
Basic
- 77-hour pre-license course
- Interactive learning
- Mastery tracking
- Mobile app
- Audio narration
- Instructor support
VanEd / 360training
Starting at
$269
- National provider
- Self-paced format
Available Packages (3)
Standard Package
- 77-hour NY pre-license course
- Real estate math course
- Live customer service support
Colibri Real Estate
Starting at
$329
- Pass or Don't Pay guarantee
- 1.5M+ students nationwide
- Audio narration included
Available Packages (4)
The Basics
- 77-hour pre-license course
- Instructor support
- 3 study guides
- Audio narration
The CE Shop
Starting at
$339
- 5-day free trial
- 96% student satisfaction
- Interactive LEAP platform
Available Packages (4)
Courses Only
- 77-hour pre-license course
- Business e-books
- Digital flashcards
- RE glossary
- Study schedule
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Starting at
$379
- Kaplan Commitment (extended support)
- Live Online Learning Hub
- Well-known national brand
Available Packages (3)
Qualifying Course
- 77-hour pre-license course
- 24/7 Student Community
NYREI (New York Real Estate Institute)
Starting at
$495
- 95% pass rate
- 200,000+ graduates
- Lifetime job placement
- Daily brokerage recruiting
Available Packages (2)
Online Self-Paced
- 77-hour course
- Online self-paced
- 20 modules
- 4-month access
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in New York?
Average Annual Income
$85,000 – $107,000
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024
Top Earners
$150,000 – $300,000+
Experienced agents in top markets
Commission Structure
New York real estate agents typically earn 2.5%–3% commission per transaction. On a $450,000 home (New York median), that's approximately $11,250–$13,500 per sale. New agents on a 50/50 to 70/30 split with their brokerage would keep $5,625–$9,450. Closing 4–8 deals your first year is a common benchmark, putting first-year earnings at $22,500–$75,600.
Top-Earning New York Markets
Is a New York Real Estate License Worth It?
👍 Pros
- + High Property Values: NYC and surrounding areas have some of the highest home prices in the nation, meaning larger commissions.
- + Low Exam Fee: At just $15, New York has one of the cheapest state exam fees in the country.
- + Diverse Markets: From Manhattan luxury to upstate suburban — there's a niche for every agent.
👎 Cons
- - Intense Competition: NYC is one of the most competitive real estate markets in the world.
- - High Cost of Living: Your commissions may be high, but so are your personal expenses in metro areas.
- - Commission-Only: No base salary — it can take months to close your first deal.
How to Get a Real Estate License in New York
Complete 77 Hours of Pre-License Education
Enroll in a New York DOS-approved 77-hour salesperson qualifying course. All schools listed above are approved. Courses can be completed online at your own pace or in a classroom.
Pass the Course Final Exam
Each school requires you to pass a proctored final exam at the end of the course. This is separate from the state exam.
Schedule and Pass the State Exam
Register through eAccessNY to take the NY real estate salesperson exam. The exam has 75 multiple-choice questions and requires a 70% score to pass. Exam fee: $15.
Find a Sponsoring Broker
New York requires you to work under a licensed broker. Research brokerages in your area — many schools like NYREI offer job placement assistance.
Apply for Your License
Submit your license application through eAccessNY. Application fee: $65. Your sponsoring broker must sign off on your application before it can be processed.
Start Your Career
Once your license is approved and activated under your broker, you can legally practice real estate in New York.
New York Real Estate License Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
- No college degree required
- Must pass background check (via eAccessNY)
Education & Exam Requirements
- 77 hours of approved pre-license education
- Pass school proctored final exam
- Pass NY state exam (75 questions, 70% to pass)
- Exam administered by NY Department of State
New York Real Estate License Cost
Here's the complete breakdown of what it costs to get your New York real estate license in 2026:
| Pre-License Course (77 hours) | $99 – $689 | Use CertLaunch discount |
| State Exam Fee | $15 – $15 | eAccessNY |
| License Application | $65 – $65 | NY DOS |
| Fingerprinting | $75 – $100 | IdentoGO |
| Background Check | Included – Included | Part of application |
| Estimated Total | $254 – $870+ | Save up to 20% with CertLaunch |
The New York Real Estate Exam
Exam Details
- Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
- Passing score: 70% (53 correct answers)
- Time limit: 1.5 hours
- Provider: NY Department of State (eAccessNY)
- Cost: $15
Exam Topics
- License law and regulations
- Agency and fiduciary responsibilities
- Contracts and legal aspects
- Property ownership and land use
- Real estate math and calculations
💡 Exam Prep Tip
The NY real estate exam has a ~50-60% first-time pass rate. The exam is administered by the NY DOS (not Pearson VUE like most states). Schools that include exam prep packages (practice tests, flashcards, simulated exams) significantly improve your chances of passing on the first try. Consider the Deluxe or Premium packages from Aceable, CE Shop, or Colibri if exam prep is important to you.
How Long Does It Take?
2–3 weeks
Full-time
Studying 4–6 hours/day
4–8 weeks
Part-time
Studying 1–2 hours/day
3–6 months
Casual pace
A few hours per week
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Compare Real Estate Licensing in Other States
New York has unique licensing rules (DOS-administered exam, no Pearson VUE). See how it compares to other top states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in New York?
Total costs range from $254 to $870+. This includes the 77-hour pre-license course ($99–$689), state exam fee ($15), license application ($65), and fingerprinting ($75–$100). Using a CertLaunch discount code can save you up to 20% on your course.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in New York?
Most students complete the process in 2–12 weeks. The 77-hour pre-license course can be finished in as little as 2 weeks studying full-time. After passing the course, you can schedule your state exam within days through eAccessNY.
What are the requirements to get a real estate license in New York?
You must be at least 18 years old, complete 77 hours of approved pre-license education, pass the school final exam, pass the NY state exam with a score of 70% or higher, find a sponsoring broker, and apply through eAccessNY.
Is the New York real estate exam hard?
The NY real estate exam has a first-time pass rate of approximately 50–60%. It consists of 75 multiple-choice questions, and you need 70% (53 correct) to pass. Proper preparation with exam prep tools significantly improves your chances.
Can I take the New York real estate course online?
Yes. Most schools listed on CertLaunch offer online, state-approved 77-hour pre-license courses. Online courses are self-paced, meaning you can study on your own schedule from anywhere.
How much do real estate agents make in New York?
New York real estate agents earn an average of $85,000–$107,000 per year statewide. In New York City, top agents earn $150,000–$300,000+. First-year agents typically earn $22,000–$75,000 depending on market and effort.
Do I need a college degree to become a real estate agent in New York?
No. New York does not require a college degree to obtain a real estate license. You only need to complete the 77-hour pre-license course, pass the state exam, and meet the basic application requirements.
What is the best real estate school in New York?
The best school depends on your budget and learning style. RealEstateU offers the best value starting at $99 with CertLaunch discount. Aceable Agent is top-rated for mobile learning. NYREI offers in-person classes with lifetime job placement. Compare all options above to find your best fit.
How do I choose between online and in-person real estate classes in New York?
Online courses offer flexibility and are typically cheaper ($99–$339). In-person classes provide structured schedules and networking opportunities. If you prefer classroom learning with job placement support, consider NYREI. If you want self-paced study, RealEstateU or Aceable are great options.
Can I get my New York real estate license if I have a criminal record?
It depends on the offense. The NY DOS reviews each application individually. Under Article 23-A, a conviction does not automatically disqualify you. The state considers factors like rehabilitation and time elapsed. You may want to consult with the DOS before enrolling.