NYS REAL ESTATE EXAM 2026/2027
125 Practice Questions & Answers
with Detailed Explanations
EXAM INFORMATION
Licensing Authority: New York State Department of State (NYDOS), Division of Licensing
Services
Exam Format: 75 multiple-choice questions, 90-minute time limit
Passing Score: 70% (approximately 53 correct answers out of 75)
Pre-licensing Requirement: 77-hour mandatory pre-licensing curriculum
Reference Materials: New York Real Property Law Article 12-A, NYDOS Regulations, Fair
Housing Laws
Number of Questions: 125 Practice Questions
Answer Format: Correct answer indicated with detailed rationale
Exam Year: 2026/2027 Updated Standards
SECTION 1: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & LEGAL CAPACITY (Questions 1–15)
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum age required to obtain a real estate salesperson license in New York
State?
A) 16 years
B) 17 years
C) 18 years
D) 21 years
Answer: C) 18 years
,Explanation: Under New York State law, the minimum age to become a licensed real estate
salesperson is 18 years. This is the same as the legal age of majority for entering into contracts
in New York.
QUESTION 2
What is the minimum age required to obtain a real estate broker's license in New York State?
A) 18 years
B) 19 years
C) 20 years
D) 21 years
Answer: C) 20 years
Explanation: As of July 1, 2008, the minimum age to become a real estate broker in New York is
20 years. This is higher than the salesperson requirement of 18.
QUESTION 3
Which agency issues real estate licenses in New York State?
A) New York State Department of Financial Services
B) New York State Department of State (NYDOS), Division of Licensing Services
C) New York State Department of Law
D) New York State Real Estate Board
Answer: B) New York State Department of State (NYDOS), Division of Licensing Services
Explanation: The New York State Department of State, through its Division of Licensing
Services, is responsible for issuing real estate licenses, pocket cards, and handling disciplinary
actions.
QUESTION 4
What is the minimum age required to enter into a legally binding contract in New York State?
A) 16 years
B) 17 years
C) 18 years
,D) 21 years
Answer: C) 18 years
Explanation: Under New York State law, the legal age of majority is 18 years. Individuals who
have reached this age are presumed to have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.
QUESTION 5
Beyond chronological age, what additional capability must a party possess to enter into a valid
contract?
A) Financial capability and business experience
B) Mental and emotional capability
C) Professional certification and licensing
D) Educational qualifications
Answer: B) Mental and emotional capability
Explanation: For a contract to be legally enforceable, all parties must possess the requisite
mental capacity to understand the nature and consequences of the agreement. Individuals who
lack this capacity—due to mental illness, cognitive impairment, or severe emotional
disturbance—may not form binding contracts.
QUESTION 6
A salesperson leaves ABC Realty and goes to work with XYZ Realtors. What happens to the
salesperson's listings?
A) They become null and void
B) They remain with ABC Realty
C) They transfer to XYZ Realtors
D) The salesperson keeps them personally
Answer: B) They remain with ABC Realty
Explanation: Listings belong to the brokerage, not the individual salesperson. When a
salesperson leaves a brokerage, the listings remain with the original brokerage.
QUESTION 7
, Which of the following individuals is exempt from real estate licensure in New York?
A) A property manager managing property for multiple owners
B) An attorney admitted to practice in New York courts
C) An individual who only lists property for sale
D) An auctioneer who auctions commercial real estate
Answer: B) An attorney admitted to practice in New York courts
Explanation: Attorneys admitted to practice in New York courts are exempt from real estate
licensure requirements. Other exemptions include certain court-appointed officials and public
officers performing official duties.
QUESTION 8
A violation of New York license law is classified as a:
A) Felony
B) Misdemeanor
C) Civil infraction
D) Summary offense
Answer: B) Misdemeanor
Explanation: Violation of New York license law is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year
in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
QUESTION 9
What is the maximum fine the Department of State may impose for a license law violation?
A) $500
B) $1,000
C) $1,500
D) $2,000
Answer: B) $1,000
Explanation: The Department of State may impose a fine not to exceed $1,000 for violations of
license law.
125 Practice Questions & Answers
with Detailed Explanations
EXAM INFORMATION
Licensing Authority: New York State Department of State (NYDOS), Division of Licensing
Services
Exam Format: 75 multiple-choice questions, 90-minute time limit
Passing Score: 70% (approximately 53 correct answers out of 75)
Pre-licensing Requirement: 77-hour mandatory pre-licensing curriculum
Reference Materials: New York Real Property Law Article 12-A, NYDOS Regulations, Fair
Housing Laws
Number of Questions: 125 Practice Questions
Answer Format: Correct answer indicated with detailed rationale
Exam Year: 2026/2027 Updated Standards
SECTION 1: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & LEGAL CAPACITY (Questions 1–15)
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum age required to obtain a real estate salesperson license in New York
State?
A) 16 years
B) 17 years
C) 18 years
D) 21 years
Answer: C) 18 years
,Explanation: Under New York State law, the minimum age to become a licensed real estate
salesperson is 18 years. This is the same as the legal age of majority for entering into contracts
in New York.
QUESTION 2
What is the minimum age required to obtain a real estate broker's license in New York State?
A) 18 years
B) 19 years
C) 20 years
D) 21 years
Answer: C) 20 years
Explanation: As of July 1, 2008, the minimum age to become a real estate broker in New York is
20 years. This is higher than the salesperson requirement of 18.
QUESTION 3
Which agency issues real estate licenses in New York State?
A) New York State Department of Financial Services
B) New York State Department of State (NYDOS), Division of Licensing Services
C) New York State Department of Law
D) New York State Real Estate Board
Answer: B) New York State Department of State (NYDOS), Division of Licensing Services
Explanation: The New York State Department of State, through its Division of Licensing
Services, is responsible for issuing real estate licenses, pocket cards, and handling disciplinary
actions.
QUESTION 4
What is the minimum age required to enter into a legally binding contract in New York State?
A) 16 years
B) 17 years
C) 18 years
,D) 21 years
Answer: C) 18 years
Explanation: Under New York State law, the legal age of majority is 18 years. Individuals who
have reached this age are presumed to have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.
QUESTION 5
Beyond chronological age, what additional capability must a party possess to enter into a valid
contract?
A) Financial capability and business experience
B) Mental and emotional capability
C) Professional certification and licensing
D) Educational qualifications
Answer: B) Mental and emotional capability
Explanation: For a contract to be legally enforceable, all parties must possess the requisite
mental capacity to understand the nature and consequences of the agreement. Individuals who
lack this capacity—due to mental illness, cognitive impairment, or severe emotional
disturbance—may not form binding contracts.
QUESTION 6
A salesperson leaves ABC Realty and goes to work with XYZ Realtors. What happens to the
salesperson's listings?
A) They become null and void
B) They remain with ABC Realty
C) They transfer to XYZ Realtors
D) The salesperson keeps them personally
Answer: B) They remain with ABC Realty
Explanation: Listings belong to the brokerage, not the individual salesperson. When a
salesperson leaves a brokerage, the listings remain with the original brokerage.
QUESTION 7
, Which of the following individuals is exempt from real estate licensure in New York?
A) A property manager managing property for multiple owners
B) An attorney admitted to practice in New York courts
C) An individual who only lists property for sale
D) An auctioneer who auctions commercial real estate
Answer: B) An attorney admitted to practice in New York courts
Explanation: Attorneys admitted to practice in New York courts are exempt from real estate
licensure requirements. Other exemptions include certain court-appointed officials and public
officers performing official duties.
QUESTION 8
A violation of New York license law is classified as a:
A) Felony
B) Misdemeanor
C) Civil infraction
D) Summary offense
Answer: B) Misdemeanor
Explanation: Violation of New York license law is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year
in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
QUESTION 9
What is the maximum fine the Department of State may impose for a license law violation?
A) $500
B) $1,000
C) $1,500
D) $2,000
Answer: B) $1,000
Explanation: The Department of State may impose a fine not to exceed $1,000 for violations of
license law.
