Real Estate License from New York to Montana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) ↗
A real estate license transfers from New York to Montana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry), verify your New York license, and meet Montana's endorsement requirements. National portion waived under the Out-of-State Licensee/Waiver Process: the applicant passes only the Montana STATE portion of the salesperson examination; the 70-hour pre-licensing education required of new applicants is not required.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Montana publishes no agreement covering New York, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Montana's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, New York → Montana
| New York (current) | Montana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 77 | 70 |
| Application fee | $65 (Initial salesperson application/license fee. Separate: $15 written exam scheduling fee via eAccessNY.) | $80 ($80 application fee; separate Pearson VUE examination fee paid to the test vendor) |
| Processing time | NYDOS does not publish an application processing-time range. | Board of Realty Regulation does not publish a processing-time range |
| Licensing authority | New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services | Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Montana sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Montana's current requirements on the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Pass the Montana STATE portion of the salesperson examination (taken via Pearson VUE).
- Provide official license verification from every state/jurisdiction in which the applicant holds or has ever held any professional license.
- Be employed by or under contract with a Montana broker who holds a Supervising Broker Endorsement.
- Provide proof of Professional Liability / Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance (MCA 37-51-325).
- Disclose and document any prior discipline.
- Pay the fees ($80 ($80 application fee; separate Pearson VUE examination fee paid to the test vendor)) and allow Board of Realty Regulation does not publish a processing-time range.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Montana accept a New York real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from New York to Montana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry), verify your New York license, and meet Montana's endorsement requirements. National portion waived under the Out-of-State Licensee/Waiver Process: the applicant passes only the Montana STATE portion of the salesperson examination; the 70-hour pre-licensing education required of new applicants is not required.
Which exams will I take moving from New York to Montana?
National portion waived under the Out-of-State Licensee/Waiver Process: the applicant passes only the Montana STATE portion of the salesperson examination; the 70-hour pre-licensing education required of new applicants is not required.
What does the move cost?
$80 ($80 application fee; separate Pearson VUE examination fee paid to the test vendor) ($80 application fee; separate Pearson VUE examination fee paid to the test vendor).
Can I keep selling in New York after I'm licensed in Montana?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the New York 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.
- MT Board of Realty Regulation — Real Estate Salesperson license information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MT Board of Realty Regulation — Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Requirements & Application Checklist (Updated 11/2025; Out-of-State Licensee/Waiver Process; $80 fee; 70-hour pre-licensing) ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]