New York Assembly Bill A09518

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/26
• Refer: 1/14/26

Caption

Increases the period of supervision to four years for real estate brokers applying for a license.

Summary

This bill amends the Real Property Law to increase the experience requirement for certain real estate broker license applicants in New York. Under current law, an applicant may qualify by having actively participated in the real estate brokerage business as a licensed salesperson under a broker’s supervision for at least two consecutive years; the bill changes that period to four consecutive years. The bill retains the alternative qualification path for applicants with equivalent real estate business experience for at least three years. The measure also preserves the existing education, examination, and competency requirements for broker licensure, including proof of a 152-hour approved real estate course, knowledge of English, deeds, mortgages, land contracts, leases, agency obligations, fair housing, discrimination laws, and cultural competency training. It continues to allow computer-based and distance-learning courses if participation can be verified, while permitting the Department of State to require some subjects to be taught in a classroom setting. The bill would take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Impact

The bill would amend section 441 of the Real Property Law, tightening the practical experience threshold for broker license applicants who qualify through supervised salesperson work. Its main effect is to delay eligibility for some applicants by requiring four years of supervised brokerage experience instead of two, while leaving the alternative three-year equivalent-experience route intact. The Department of State would continue to oversee course approval, applicant competency, and supervision standards for broker licensure.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or recorded vote is provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears aimed at strengthening professional standards for real estate brokers, suggesting a regulatory and consumer-protection rationale. The absence of discussion or voting history means overall sentiment cannot be reliably assessed beyond the bill’s apparent intent.

Contention

The likely point of contention is whether increasing the supervised experience requirement from two years to four years is necessary to improve broker competency and public protection, or whether it creates an unnecessary barrier to entry for aspiring brokers. Supporters would likely emphasize stronger training, professionalism, and consumer safeguards, while opponents may argue that the change could reduce access to the profession, slow career advancement for salespersons, and impose additional burdens on applicants and the industry. No specific stakeholders are identified in the available record, but the affected parties would include real estate salespersons, broker applicants, brokerage firms, and the Department of State.