Can I get a New York real estate license despite not living over there?

Then...move to NY, take the courses and pass the test...doesn't mean you will get hired anywhere...

You will first have to find a licensed New York broker who will agree to sponsor you. That is the person that holds your license and is ultimately responsible for what you do. Why any New York broker would sponsor a Californian who will not be physically present in New York to conduct business is beyond me. Someone in a bordering state who travels often between states might have licenses in several states. Someone who spends a good part of the year in New York and the rest of the year in New York or Texas or Arizona or Colorado or California might be licensed in New York and that other state. If you're thinking about doing all your New York business from California over the internet, forget it.

To the OP's comment: Wait until you get to New York. The state doesn't care where you used to live. Brokers you speak with probably won't, either. They may just make it clear that the various markets in the state (they will differ) won't be anything like California.

Not sure, but a realtor needs to be available to their clients pretty much 24/7. No buyer is going to want a realtor who isn't right there at their beck & call.

Have you looked at the requirements? Is one of them that you have to be a resident of NYS?

Why would you want it?