New York Real Estate CE Requirements, Explained
Last reviewed June 2026 against the official sources linked below. Requirements change — always confirm with your board before relying on them.
Total hours
22.5 hrs / 2 years
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Mandatory topics
Fair housing, implicit bias, ethics, agency
Issued by
New York Department of State (DOS)
New York keeps the headline number modest - 22.5 hours every two years - but loads it with required topic buckets. Fair housing, implicit bias, cultural competency, ethics, recent legal matters, and agency each carry their own minimum, so the real work is making the pieces add up, not just hitting 22.5.
Here is the full topic breakdown for salespersons, including the one rule that differs on your first license term.
The base requirement: 22.5 hours, by topic
The New York Department of State requires salespersons to complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education each two-year licensing term. Unlike states that let you fill most hours with anything, New York reserves a specific number of hours for named topics - so you cannot satisfy it with general electives alone.
The required topic buckets
- At least 3 hours of fair housing and/or discrimination instruction.
- At least 2 hours of implicit bias training.
- At least 2 hours of cultural competency.
- At least 2.5 hours of ethical business practices.
- At least 1 hour of recent legal matters.
- Agency: at least 2 hours during your initial (first) two-year term, then at least 1 hour for each renewal after that.
- The remaining hours can be approved electives to reach 22.5.
Stop tracking this in a spreadsheet
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — freeWhen is your deadline?
New York salesperson licenses renew every two years on the expiration date in your eAccessNY record, and all 22.5 hours must be completed before you renew. Attorneys admitted to the New York State bar are exempt from the CE requirement. Keep your certificates - the Department of State can ask you to prove the topic-by-topic breakdown, not just the total.
How CredTally keeps this on autopilot
- Track 22.5 hours with a separate ring for each required topic - fair housing, implicit bias, cultural competency, ethics, legal matters, and agency - so you see exactly which bucket is still short.
- Store each certificate as you finish, filed with the credit and topic it proves.
- Reminders at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before your two-year expiration date.
- Licensed in New York plus another state, or also an appraiser or MLO? Every license sits on its own card with its own deadline in one dashboard.
- One-click dated packet for any audit or broker review.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do New York real estate agents need?
22.5 hours of approved continuing education every two years, including specific minimums for fair housing, implicit bias, cultural competency, ethics, legal matters, and agency.
How much fair housing CE does New York require?
At least 3 hours of fair housing and/or discrimination instruction within each two-year term, plus 2 hours of implicit bias and 2 hours of cultural competency.
Is the agency requirement different for new licensees?
Yes. During your initial two-year term you need at least 2 hours of agency instruction; for each renewal after that, at least 1 hour.
Are any New York agents exempt from CE?
Attorneys admitted to the New York State bar are exempt from the continuing education requirement for their real estate license.
Official sources
CredTally is a record-keeping tool and is not affiliated with any licensing board. This guide is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
CredTally tracks all of this for you
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
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