Real Estate License from District of Columbia to New York: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services ↗
No — New York has no reciprocity or endorsement path for District of Columbia real estate license holders. You must apply to the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services as a new applicant and meet New York's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Full re-application
There is no transfer mechanism from District of Columbia into New York — not because of anything about District of Columbia; New York recognizes no state's licenses. The path is the new-applicant track with your experience as an accelerant: the pre-license education can usually be completed online before you move, the exam draws on knowledge you use daily, and your transaction history means the coursework reads as review. Budget months, not weeks, and start the education first.
What changes, District of Columbia → New York
| District of Columbia (current) | New York (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 60 | 77 |
| Application fee | $65–$195 ($65 application fee plus $130 salesperson license fee (=$195 total); the PSI exam fee and the two required 3-hour DC courses are additional) | $65 (Initial salesperson application/license fee. Separate: $15 written exam scheduling fee via eAccessNY.) |
| Processing time | No board-stated timeframe; applications are filed through the DLCP OPLA online portal | NYDOS does not publish an application processing-time range. |
| Licensing authority | District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (DCREC) — Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) | New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New York sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review New York's initial-licensure requirements on the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services website (linked below).
- Expect to meet New York's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees ($65 (Initial salesperson application/license fee. Separate: $15 written exam scheduling fee via eAccessNY.)).
- Allow NYDOS does not publish an application processing-time range..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New York accept a District of Columbia real estate license?
No — New York has no reciprocity or endorsement path for District of Columbia real estate license holders. You must apply to the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services as a new applicant and meet New York's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Which exams will I take moving from District of Columbia to New York?
None — no current reciprocity. All applicants, including out-of-state licensees, must pass the New York State salesperson examination. An education waiver of the 77-hour course may be granted on written request, but the state exam is never waived..
What does the move cost?
$65 (Initial salesperson application/license fee. Separate: $15 written exam scheduling fee via eAccessNY.) (Initial salesperson application/license fee. Separate: $15 written exam scheduling fee via eAccessNY.), plus the cost of the required pre-license education.
Can I keep selling in District of Columbia after I'm licensed in New York?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the District of Columbia license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NYDOS — Real Estate Salesperson FAQ ('The Department of State does not currently have reciprocity with any other state'; education waiver, exam still required) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYDOS — Become a Real Estate Salesperson (77 qualifying hours; $65 application + $15 exam; eAccessNY) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYDOS — Real Estate Salesperson (2-year term; must work under a sponsoring broker) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYDOS — Real Estate Broker FAQ (identical 'does not currently have reciprocity' statement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- DC DLCP — Real Estate Commission (Salesperson Endorsement/Reciprocity requirements and fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]