For NY Agents & Brokers · Updated November 2026

Can You Be a Real Estate Agent in New York Without Joining NAR?

Yes. Your New York license, not a trade association, is what lets you practice real estate. Here's what NAR membership really costs, what you give up without it and how to get MLS access either way.

The Short Answer

You do not need to join the National Association of REALTORS® to work as a real estate salesperson or broker in New York. You need a New York license and, as a salesperson, a sponsoring broker. What you give up is the REALTOR® title. And with MYStateMLS, you can still get MLS access without joining a board.

Licensee vs. REALTOR®: What's the Difference?

Licensed Real Estate Agent

Licensed by the NYS Department of State. Can list, show, negotiate and earn commissions through a sponsoring broker. Membership in any association is optional.

REALTOR®

A licensee who also pays dues to NAR, the state association and a local board. REALTOR® is a registered trademark, not a license.

What NAR Membership Really Costs

NAR membership comes as a three-tier package. When you join a local board, you also pay state and national dues. MLS access is usually another fee on top, often charged by an MLS owned or controlled by the same associations.

TierExample
National (NAR)$156 in dues plus a $45 special assessment (NAR's 2027 schedule)
State (NYSAR)$120 (Hudson Gateway's 2024 published schedule)
Local BoardFrom $260 (Hudson Gateway, 2024) to $596 (Long Island Board, 2027)
MLS AccessA separate fee, such as $175 a year for OneKey MLS access in Hudson Gateway's 2024 schedule

Real example: Hudson Gateway's published 2024 schedule totaled $581 in combined association dues, or $756 with OneKey MLS access. Dues vary by board, so check your local board's current schedule.

What You Give Up Without NAR

No reason to sugarcoat it. Here's what you lose:

  • The REALTOR® title. You can't call yourself a REALTOR® or use the logo.
  • Board-run MLS access in many markets. Many local MLSs require you to join the board first.
  • NAR designations, events and member benefits tied to association membership.
  • Association membership through your brokerage, if your broker requires it. Ask before you sign on.

What You Keep

  • Your license and your career. List, show, negotiate and earn commissions through your sponsoring broker.
  • Your continuing education. Complete your 22.5 hours with any state-approved provider.
  • MLS access. MYStateMLS gives licensees statewide and nationwide exposure with no board required.
  • Your money. The dues you don't pay go back into marketing and growing your business.

There Is Another Option

The 2024 NAR settlement changed how commissions are offered, and many agents are asking what their dues actually buy. For a growing number of New York licensees, the answer is to keep the license, skip the board and choose an MLS that works for them.

MYStateMLS is open to licensed New York salespersons, brokers, appraisers, auctioneers and mobile home dealers. It gives you statewide reach through NYStateMLS plus nationwide exposure, with Syndication of Choice, so you control where your listings appear. No board membership is required.

Compare your options in Top Non-NAR MLS Platforms, or see the NYSAR list of New York boards and MLSs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to join NAR to sell real estate in New York?

No. You need a New York real estate license and, as a salesperson, a sponsoring broker. NAR membership is optional.

Can I get MLS access without being a REALTOR®?

Yes. Many board-run MLSs require association membership, but MYStateMLS gives licensed New York professionals MLS access with no board required.

What's the difference between a real estate agent and a REALTOR®?

Every REALTOR® is a licensed agent, but not every agent is a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® is a licensee who pays dues to NAR and its state and local associations.

How much does it cost to be a REALTOR® in New York?

It depends on your board. One published example, Hudson Gateway's 2024 schedule, totaled $581 in association dues and $756 with MLS access.

Your License. Your Choice.

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Dues shown are examples from published association schedules and change yearly. Check current amounts with your local board.