The NYS Department of State licenses individuals who broker, sell, or appraise real estate transactions. The NYS Real Property Law, Article 12-A regulates licensing of real estate brokers and real estate salespersons. The NYS Executive Law, Article 6-E regulates licensing of state certified and licensed real estate appraisers. Real estate brokers and salespersons are also obligated to follow NYS Real Property Law, Article 14 regarding property condition disclosures.A real estate broker means any person, firm, limited liability company or corporation, who, for another and for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, lists for sale, sells, at auction or otherwise, exchanges, buys or rents, or offers or attempts to negotiate a sale, at auction or otherwise, exchange, purchase or rental of an estate or interest in real estate, or collects or offers or attempts to collect rent for the use of real estate, or negotiates or offers or attempts to negotiate, a loan secured or to be secured by a mortgage, other than a residential mortgage loan, as defined in §590 of the Banking Law, or other incumbrance upon or transfer of real estate, or is engaged in the business of a tenant re-locator, or who, notwithstanding any other provision of law, performs any of the above stated functions with respect to the resale of condominium property originally sold pursuant to the provisions of the General Business Law governing real estate syndication offerings. It is the responsibility of licensees to understand the Real Estate License Law, where a more detailed definition of real estate broker can be found, including information about different types of brokers. In order to qualify for licensure as a real estate broker, an applicant must have at least two years of experience as a licensed real estate salesperson or at least three years of experience in the general real estate field (e.g., buying and selling your own property, managing property owned by your employer), have satisfactorily completed both the qualifying salesperson course of 75 hours and an additional 45-hour real estate broker course as approved by the Secretary of State, and have passed a qualifying examination.Associate real estate broker means a licensed real estate broker who shall by choice elect to work under the name and supervision of another individual broker or another broker who is licensed under a partnership, trade name, limited liability company or corporation. Such individual shall retain his or her license as a real estate broker provided, however, that the practice of real estate sales and brokerage by such individual as an associate broker shall be governed exclusively as they pertain to real estate salespersons. Nothing contained shall preclude an individual who elects to be licensed as an associate broker from also retaining a separate real estate broker's license under an individual, partnership, trade name, limited liability company or corporation. A real estate salesperson is an individual under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker that facilitates the purchase and sale of property on behalf of customers, obtains lists of property for sale with an employing broker, and assists buyers of real estate to locate and purchase property. A real estate salesperson is associated with a real estate broker to list and negotiate the sale, lease, or rental of real property for others for compensation, under the direction and guidance of a licensed real estate broker. A real estate salesperson cannot operate independently. In order to qualify for licensure as a real estate salesperson, an applicant must have satisfactorily completed a 75-hour salesperson qualifying education course in real estate approved by the Secretary of State, and have passed a qualifying examination administered by the Department of State. An applicant who completed the 45-hour salesperson qualifying course prior to July 1, 2008 may complete the 30-hour remedial course in order to qualify for licensure.There are four types of real estate appraiser licenses or certifications in New York State. The NYS Executive Law, Article 6-E does not preclude a person who is not a State certified or licensed real estate appraiser or a licensed real estate appraiser assistant from appraising real estate for compensation. A real estate appraisal is an analysis, opinion or conclusion relating to the nature, quality, value or utility of specified interest in, or aspects of, an identified real estate. An appraisal may be classified by subject matter in either a valuation or an analysis. A certified general real estate appraiser is an individual that is allowed to perform all types of commercial and residential appraisals to real property. The certification allows the individual to use the title 'Certified General Real Estate Appraiser.' A certified residential real estate appraiser is an individual that is allowed, without regard to value or complexity, to perform residential appraisals of one to four family residential units, to perform appraisals of vacant or unimproved land that is to be utilized for an one to four family residential unit, or to perform appraisals of vacant or unimproved land for which the highest and best use is a one to four family residential unit. The certification allows the individual to use the title 'Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser.' A state licensed real estate appraiser is an individual that is allowed to perform noncomplex residential appraisals of one to four family residential units having a transaction value of less than $1,000,000 and complex one to four family residential units having a transaction value of less than $250,000, to perform appraisals of vacant or unimproved land that is to be utilized for a one to four family residential unit of a transaction value of less than $1,000,000, or to perform appraisals of vacant or unimproved land for which the highest and best use is an one to four family residential unit of a transaction value of less than $1,000,000. The certification allows the individual to use the title 'State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser.' A state licensed real estate appraiser assistant is an individual who works and trains under the supervision of a certified real estate appraiser. All education requirements are outlined at the NYS Department State, Division of Licensing Services website.For detailed information on laws and regulations, applications and exam schedules contact the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. For online services, you can go to the eAccessNY secure, password protected occupational licensing management system, through the link below.A trade association is a valuable source for information, services and advice for your business. The 3 associations listed below are for reference purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement., New York’s online business portal, Business Express helps guide you through your business and professional requirements., .