Continuing Education Requirements

The landscape of New York real estate has transformed over the years, and having a firm grip on current continuing education requirements is fundamental for professionals in the industry. The events of the past two years have amplified these regulations, with Governor Kathy Hochul recently signing a series of new Fair Housing bills into law on December 21st, 2022 expanding required continuing education topics for real estate salespeople and broker licensees.

This article will provide a comprehensive look into the exact continuing education requirements, the consequences of not renewing licenses, and methods of renewing licenses to ensure you stay ahead of the curve in your ever-evolving real estate career.

Pinpointing the Current Continuing Education Requirements

As of July 1, 2021, all real estate professionals must complete a total of 22.5 hours of approved continuing education, including the following specific requirements:

• 2.5 hours covering ethical business practices or the NAR Code of Ethics
• At least 1 hour involving recent legal matters
• A minimum of 3 hours pertaining to fair housing and/or discrimination in the sale or rental of real property or an interest in real property
• 1-hour of content addressing the law of agency, except during the initial two-year licensing term for real estate salespeople

For first-time renewal cycles, two hours surrounding the law of agency must be completed.

New Continuing Education Requirements Effective September 21, 2022

To stay updated and compliant, real estate professionals must grasp New York’s new continuing education requirements effective September 21, 2022:

• Completing 22.5 hours of approved continuing education
• Devoting 2 hours to cultural competency and 2 hours to implicit bias
• Attending 2.5 hours of ethical business practices or NAR Code of Ethics training
• Engaging in 1 hour of recent legal matters
• Covering 3 hours of fair housing and/or discrimination in the sale or rental of real property or an interest in real property
• Addressing 1 hour of law agency, except during the initial two-year licensing term for real estate salespeople

Again, for those in their first renewal cycle, a requirement of 2 hours focusing on the law of agency should be met.

Consequences of Neglecting License Renewal

Failure to renew your license in a timely manner may have significant professional ramifications. Without an up-to-date license, real estate practitioners will be unable to perform activities that require a New York State real estate license in accordance with Article 12-A of the Real Property Law. No grace period exists, and working without a current license is strictly prohibited. However, you do have up to two years from your license’s expiration date to renew it.

Steps to Renew Your Real Estate License

Real Estate Salesperson licenses are valid for two years, with the expiration date and unique ID Number printed on the license pocket card. The State will issue an email reminder and a postcard approximately three months before your license expires. These reminders will contain detailed instructions on renewing your license online through your eAccessNY account. Remember, a sponsoring broker is necessary to be eligible for license renewal.

How to Fulfill Continuing Education Requirements

New regulations effective December 7, 2021, allow Department of State-approved real estate schools to offer qualifying and continuing education courses through virtual live remote programs. Providers can now choose to deliver live distance education courses, subject to acceptable limitations.

At Manfred Real Estate Learning Center, we strive to provide comprehensive and readily available live continuing education courses for real estate salespeople, brokers, appraisers, and home inspectors. Our goal is to equip industry professionals with the essential information and insights to excel and thrive in the ever-evolving real estate landscape.

In conclusion

Staying updated on New York’s continuing education requirements, particularly amid the ongoing changes in the real estate industry, is vitally important for professionals who aim to make a significant impact. By staying informed, complying with regulations, and engaging in applicable coursework, New York’s real estate professionals can secure their future success in the industry.