The Department of State continues to conduct random audits of licensees to verify compliance with the education requirements. The
course certificates received upon completion of a course should be maintained by the licensee in the event the individual is audited. Failure to prove completion of the requisite education could
result in a fine, suspension, or revocation of a license. To ensure compliance it is important that licensees understand the required number of hours of education and the time frame within which it
must be completed.
Real Estate Continuing Education
Real estate licensees are required to complete 22½ hours of Department of State approved continuing education every two years within
their license renewal period. Continuing education credits can be earned via in-classroom instruction or through approved distance learning courses.
Courses cannot be repeated within the same license period.
Effective July 1, 2008, there was an important change to the continuing education requirement for salespersons and brokers.
This law mandates that any real estate licensee who is not grandfathered from education and renews their license on or after July 1, 2008, and every license cycle thereafter, is required to have at
least 3 hours of fair housing related instruction in the 22.5 hours of approved continuing education. This new requirement will ensure that REALTORS® are well prepared to meet the diverse housing
needs of clients and customers. Click here for the full text of the bill.
Exemptions to Real Estate Continuing Education
Attorneys admitted to the New York State bar who hold a real estate broker license, and licensed brokers who have fifteen consecutive years of combined licensure as a salesperson and a broker and who
are actively engaged in the real estate business as a real estate broker at the time of renewal, are exempted. The burden of proof of fifteen years of licensure lies with the broker. Please note that
the failure to renew a license on time will be considered a break in service and the "consecutive years" will begin again with the new license date. This means that the licensee will have to resume
taking continuing education for another fifteen years.
Appraisal Continuing Education
Effective January 1, 2000, any appraisal license that expires on or after January 1, 2000 requires twenty-eight (28) hours of continuing education credit to renew the license. Courses
cannot be repeated within the same license period. In order to obtain a certificate of completion for Continuing Education, appraisers must attend 100% of any course or program that is 2 to 7
hours in length. Courses or programs that are 8 to 20 hours in length require 80% attendance. Additionally, all licensed or certified real estate appraisers must successfully complete the 7 hour
Ethics & Standards of Professional Practice program every two years. Appraisers may only receive 7 hours of CE credit for the Ethics & Standards of Professional Practice course once during
the 2 year period.
For more information, please contact the GRAR Education Department at (585) 341-2150 or GRAReducation@grar.net.
