Real Estate Broker Application – Instructions
Read the instructions carefully before completing the
application. Incomplete applications will be returned, delaying
licensure. Any omission, inaccuracy or failure to make full
disclosure in an application or supporting documentation may
be deemed sufficient reason to deny a license, or, if a license
is issued could result in the suspension or revocation of a
license.
Is there an age requirement to become a licensed Real Estate
Broker? Yes. Real Estate Broker applicants must be 20 years of
age or older.
Business Name Availability: Prior to filing this application, all
proposed names must be submitted, in writing, to the Division of
Licensing Services for approval. Upon approval of the name you
wish to use, you must then file the appropriate document with either
the respective County Clerk’s office or the NYS Department of
State, Division of Corporations. You may submit your request by
emailing eAccessNY@dos.ny.gov (mark “Name Availability” as the
subject line); or, mail to the address listed on the application, Attn:
Real Estate Unit. You will receive a response in the same manner
the request was submitted. You may list up to three unique names
in order of preference. All variations of a business name are subject
to our regulations (19 New York Codes Rules and Regulations).
Note: This Division does not “hold” or “reserve” names once they
have been approved for use. All applications are subject to review
when they are received.
Business Address: All applicants must list the address at which
they will be conducting business as a real estate broker. Sole use
of a post office box number as a business address is prohibited.
(For additional office locations, please refer to Branch Office
instructions on our website.)
What are the application fees, terms of licensure?
The nonrefundable application fee for a real estate broker license is
$155; the license will be effective for two years.
What forms of payment do you accept?
You may pay by check or money order made payable to the
Department of State or by MasterCard or Visa, using a credit card
authorization form. Do not send cash. Application fees are
nonrefundable. A $20 fee will be charged for any check returned by
your bank.
Where do I get the office license number requested on the
application?
With the implementation of our new real estate system, a number
has been assigned to the principal office location. The branch office
location is an actual license and has always been assigned a
license number. To obtain either the principal office license number
or the branch office license number, it can be located on the
Department’s website by using the public search function on the
new online system located at www.dos.ny.gov. It is important for
the processing of your application that you fill in the office license
number.
Why do I need to provide my email address on the
application?
In order to perform online transactions, you MUST provide
your current email address on page 3 of the application. Your email
DOS-0036-f-a (Rev. 08/19)
address will be used by our office to establish your online account.
If you have already established an online account by signing up to
take the state examination, it is important that you utilize the same
email address. If you change your email address in the future, you
should log in to your online account and update it with the new
email address. If you are submitting an application to our office, you
should indicate if your email address has changed since taking the
examination.
What types of Real Estate Broker licenses can I apply for?
Individual Broker: An individual broker is issued a license to do
business using his/her personal name only.
Associate Broker: An associate broker is a licensed broker who
shall by choice elect to work under the name and supervision of
another broker who is licensed to do business as an individual,
partnership, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability
partnership or trade name. Associate Broker applicants must have
the sponsoring broker sign the association statement which is
located beneath the “For Associate Broker Applicant’s Only”
portion of this application.
Trade Name Broker: A trade name broker conducts business as a
sole proprietorship, doing business as a name other than his/her
personal name. A business certificate must be filed with the
Office of the County Clerk where the business is located. By
signing the attached application, you are certifying compliance
with this requirement.
Partnership Broker: A partner or partners in a partnership may
apply for a real estate broker license to conduct business under the
partnership name. Any partner who wishes to engage in the
business of a real estate brokerage must be licensed as a real
estate broker. Each partner who wishes to be licensed as a real
estate broker must file an application and fee. A partnership
certificate must be filed in the Office of the County Clerk in the
county where the business is located. By signing the attached
application, you are certifying compliance with this
requirement.
Corporate Broker: An officer of a corporation may apply for a real
estate broker license to conduct business as a real estate
brokerage under the corporate or assumed name. Applicants must
be an officer prior to licensing. A Certificate of Incorporation,
Assumed Name or Application for Authority must be filed with
the NYS Department of State, Division of Corporations. By
signing the attached application, you are certifying compliance
with this requirement.
Limited Liability Company or Limited Liability Partnership: A
member or manager of the limited liability company or limited
liability partnership, who meets the qualifications for licensure, may
apply for a real estate license to conduct business as a real estate
brokerage under the limited liability company, assumed name or
limited liability partnership name. Applicants must be a member or
manager prior to licensing.
The Articles of Organization, Application for Authority,
Certificate of Assumed Name or Certificate of Registration
must be filed with the NYS Department of State, Division of
Corporations. By signing the attached application, you are
certifying compliance with this requirement.
Limited Partnership Broker: A partner or partners in a limited
partnership may apply for a real estate broker license to conduct
business under a limited partnership or assumed name. Any
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