No person, co-partnership, limited liability company or corporation shall engage in or follow the business or occupation of, or hold himself or itself out or act temporarily or otherwise as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson in this State without first procuring a license therefor as provided in this article. No person shall be entitled to a license as a real estate broker under this article, either as an individual or as a member of a co-partnership, or as a member or manager of a limited liability company, or as an officer of a corporation, unless he or she is 19 years of age or over, a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. No person shall be entitled to a license as a real estate salesperson under this article unless he or she is over the age of 18 years. No person shall be entitled to a license as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson under this article who has been convicted in this state or elsewhere of a felony, or who has not subsequent to such conviction received executive pardon therefor or a certificate of good conduct from the parole board, to remove the disability under this section because of such conviction. No person shall be entitled to a license as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson under this article who does not meet the requirements of section 3-503 of the General Obligations Law.

      Notwithstanding the above, tenant associations, and not-for-profit corporations authorized in writing by the commissioner of the department of the City of New York charged with enforcement of the housing maintenance code of such city to manage residential property owned by such city or appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to manage residential property owned by such city shall be exempt from the licensing provisions of this section with respect to the properties so managed.