Can You Become a New York Real Estate Agent Without a High School Diploma?

Yes, you need a high school diploma or equivalent to get a real estate license in New York. The New York Department of State requires all applicants to have completed high school or earned a GED before enrolling in the required 77-hour pre-licensing course.

What qualifies as meeting the education requirement:

• U.S. high school diploma

• GED (General Educational Development) certificate

• Foreign high school diploma with official credential evaluation

• Home school diploma recognized by your state

What does NOT qualify:

• Some high school credits without completion

• Certificate programs that aren't high school equivalents

• Informal education or work experience alone

If you don't have a high school diploma, earning your GED is the fastest path to becoming eligible for real estate licensing in New York.

NY Real Estate License Education Requirements

Requirement	Details	Acceptable Alternatives
High School Diploma	Yes, required	GED, foreign diploma equivalent
Minimum Age	18 years old	No exceptions
77-Hour Pre-Licensing Course	Required by state	Must be from approved provider
State Exam	Pass with 70% or higher	Unlimited retake attempts
Background Check	Fingerprinting required	Criminal history reviewed case-by-case

Getting Your GED in New York

If you don't have a high school diploma, earning your GED qualifies you for real estate licensing. The GED is treated exactly the same as a high school diploma by the New York Department of State.

GED Process and Timeline

Preparation:

• Free GED prep classes available through New York Public Library

• Online study materials at GED.comGed.comGed.com

• Community college adult education programs (free or low-cost)

• Most people prepare in 2-4 months depending on study time

Testing:

• Cost: $120 total ($30 per subject)

• Format: Four subjects (Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts)

• Passing score: 145+ out of 200 per subject

• Schedule: Year-round testing at centers statewide

• Register: ged.comGed.comGed.com

Retakes: You can retake individual subjects if you don't pass all four on the first attempt. Each retake costs $30 per subject.

Timeline: Complete GED preparation and testing within 2-4 months, then proceed with real estate licensing (additional 4-8 weeks).

Foreign High School Diplomas

Foreign diplomas are accepted for New York real estate licensing if properly evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service.

Credential Evaluation Process

Step 1: Choose an evaluation service
Contact a service approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES):

• World Education Services (WES)

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

• International Education Research Foundation (IERF)

Step 2: Submit documents
Provide:

• Original diploma or certified copy

• Academic transcripts

• Translation (if documents aren't in English)

Step 3: Receive evaluation report
The service confirms your foreign diploma is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.

• Cost: $100-$200

• Timeline: 2-4 weeks processing

• Common countries: Diplomas from Canada, UK, Australia, and most European countries are typically accepted with proper evaluation

Submit evaluation with your license application to the New York Department of State along with other required documents.

Home School Diplomas

Home school diplomas are accepted for New York real estate licensing if your home school program was recognized by your state.

Documentation you may need:

• Home school diploma

• Transcript of completed coursework

• Proof that home school program met state requirements

• Letter from supervising parent or administrator

If you're unsure whether your home school diploma meets requirements, contact the NY Department of State Division of Licensing Services at (518) 474-4429 before enrolling in your pre-licensing course.

Complete NY Real Estate License Requirements

Beyond the high school diploma or equivalent, New York requires:

• Age 18 or older: No exceptions to minimum age requirement

• 77-hour pre-licensing course: State-approved education covering real estate principles, law, contracts, and ethics

• Pass state exam: 75 questions, 70% required to pass ($15 per attempt)

• Background check: Fingerprinting through IdentoGO ($35-$56)

• Sponsoring broker: Must affiliate with a licensed brokerage to activate your license

• Total timeline: 4-8 weeks from course start to licensed

• Total cost: $369-$571 (course, exam, application, fingerprinting)

Learn more about how to get your New York real estate licenseNew York How To Get New York Real Estate License Career Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a real estate license without a high school diploma in New York?
No. New York requires all real estate license applicants to have a high school diploma or GED before enrolling in the required 77-hour pre-licensing course.

Does a GED count the same as a high school diploma for real estate licensing?
Yes. New York accepts a GED as fully equivalent to a high school diploma. There is no difference in how they're treated during the application process.

Can I start the real estate course while finishing my GED?
No. You must have your high school diploma or GED certificate before enrolling in the 77-hour pre-licensing course. Complete your GED first, then begin real estate education.

Do I need a college degree to be a real estate agent in New York?
No. A high school diploma or GED is sufficient. College degrees are not required for New York real estate licensing.

What if I dropped out of high school years ago?
You can earn your GED at any age. Many adults return to complete their GED decades after leaving high school. Once you pass the GED, you're immediately eligible to pursue real estate licensing.

How long does it take to get a GED in New York?
Most people complete GED preparation and testing within 2-4 months, depending on study time and readiness. Some finish faster if they study full-time.

Will anyone know I have a GED instead of a diploma?
No. Your real estate license and public records don't specify whether you have a diploma or GED. They're treated identically by the state and employers.

Ready to Get Your Real Estate License?

Whether you have a high school diploma, GED, or foreign credential, you can pursue a New York real estate license once you meet the basic education requirement. The process takes 4-8 weeksNew York How To Get New York Real Estate License Career Center and costs $369-$571 totalNew York Cost Of New York Real Estate License Career Center.

If you need to earn your GED first, most people complete it within 2-4 months and then proceed directly to real estate licensing. AceableAgent's course prepares you to pass with mobile-friendly lessons, unlimited practice tests, and a money-back guarantee.

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