New Jersey Real Estate License Quick Info
Core New Jersey Real Estate Licenses
- Real Estate Salesperson: This license allows individuals to engage in real estate transactions under the supervision of a broker. It is the entry-level license for most real estate professionals in New Jersey.
- Real Estate Broker: This advanced license enables holders to operate their own real estate business and manage other agents. It requires additional experience and education compared to the salesperson license.
- Broker-Salesperson: For individuals who have met a broker’s qualifications but choose to work under the supervision of another broker. They have the same level of education as a broker but do not manage a brokerage.
Prerequisites for Real Estate Licensing
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid US Social Security number
- Graduate from high school or earn a GED
- Complete 75 hours of approved pre-licensing education
- Pass the real estate licensing examination
- Be sponsored by a Real Estate Broker
- Pass a background check
- Apply for the license
The New Jersey Real Estate Exam
- Questions: 110 total multiple-choice questions
- Passing Score: A passing score of 70% is required
- Time to Complete: 4 hours to complete
License Fees
- Fingerprinting: $66.05
- Application Fee: $160
- Examination Fee: $38
Becoming a New Jersey Real Estate Agent
Jersey Shore to Newark offers tremendous opportunities to build a real estate career.
I love selling real estate this time of year! [insert Pauly D meme here]
To profit from the exciting Jersey market, agents must tackle hours of education and pass a big exam. This step-by-step guide simplifies the process so you can focus on studying and building your career.
Table of Contents
New Jersey Real Estate Licensing Requirements
The New Jersey Real Estate Commission (REC) licenses, registers, and regulates real estate salespersons and brokers.
Additionally, the NJ REC forms the regulations that govern professional behavior and standards within the New Jersey real estate industry, including the extensive licensing process.
The New Jersey real estate licensing process ensures prospective agents are knowledgeable, trustworthy, and have the skills to assist New Jerseyans with their most valued investments: Their homes.
Before starting, New Jersey has prerequisites all applicants must meet, including:
- At least 18 years of age
- High School Diploma or GED
- Possess a Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN)
- Have a background clear of criminal convictions
With the basic requirements met, it’s time to tackle the complicated steps.
Pre-Licensing Education
Step one to become a real estate agent is completing pre-licensing education. The NJ REC requires a real estate salesperson to complete 75 hours of pre-licensing education from approved education providers. Topics include:
- Real estate principles and practices
- Agency relationships and disclosures
- Fair housing laws and regulations
- Residential and commercial property types
- Financing and valuation of real estate
- Real estate contracts and documents
- Ethics and professionalism
- Marketing and property management
Education can be completed online or in a traditional classroom setting.
The New Jersey Real Estate Exam
With 75 hours of pre-licensing education complete and valuable information fresh on your mind, it’s time to pass the real estate exam.
The New Jersey real estate exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions with a minimum passing score of 70%.
PSI Exams is the testing administrator for New Jersey. Exams are scheduled online and completed in person or online in a live environment.
New Jersey Real Estate Exam details:
- Number of Questions: 110 multiple-choice questions
- Passing Scores: A minimum score of 70%
- Question Types: multiple-choice, testing your understanding of real estate principles, laws, ethics, and finance
- Duration: 4 hours total
- Cost: $38
- New Jersey Exam Booklet
The New Jersey real estate exam is challenging but well within reach of passing.
Fingerprinting For a Background Check
You passed the real estate exam because of your deep understanding of real estate ethics and principles. But demonstrating you’ve upheld these standards in life is required—which involves obtaining fingerprints for a background check.
Applicants must complete the New Jersey Universal Fingerprint Form before scheduling an appointment at IdentoGO. Applicants must pay the $66.05 fee during scheduling.
Addressing Concerns (If Needed)
A criminal background check is completed through the FBI using your fingerprints. Criminal convictions may disqualify applicants. If you have criminal background concerns, call the NJ REC at 609-292-7272 before starting your education.
Find a Sponsor Brokerage
You passed the exam, completed your fingerprints, and are ready for the final steps. Applicants must find a sponsoring broker to secure their business home before applying.
If you have yet to think about it, this is the time to consider your future career goals and path.
Choosing Your Specialty
Real Estate is a field with diverse possibilities. Reflect on whether your passion lies in helping families find their dream homes, assisting businesses in securing the perfect commercial space, or managing properties for investors.
Each specialty has its own set of demands and skills:
- Residential Real Estate: Focus on individual or family dwellings, selling single-family homes, condominiums, and townhouses.
- Commercial Real Estate: Specialize in business properties, including leasing and selling office spaces, retail locations, and more.
- Property Management: Manage the leasing of residential, commercial, or industrial properties for investors.
Real estate agents have the added decision of becoming a REALTOR®. Agents are not REALTORS® until joining the National Association of REALTORS®, a membership most prevalent in the residential industry that provides access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)® and benefits like discounted healthcare and legal support.
Finding the Right Brokerage Fit
Choosing a brokerage can significantly influence your career direction and growth. New agents should interview several realty firms and speak with local brokers for market intel.
Take advantage of platforms like Agent Nook to delve into the cultures and strengths of different brokerages. Finding a brokerage that complements your chosen specialty and supports your career goals and development will provide a better path to success.
Applying For a NJ Real Estate License
With long hours of education, a stressful exam, and career preparedness behind you, it’s time to submit the real estate application. Applications can be completed online through the NJ Real Estate Online Licensing Service.
New Jersey allows brokers of record to submit and pay for a salesperson or broker salesperson application. Ask your sponsoring broker about their application protocols.
Be prepared with the following information or documents:
- Pre-licensing education certificates
- Verification of a passing exam score
- Government-issued identification
- Sponsoring broker information
- Application fee payment of $160
Applicants are asked various questions through the online process. Be prepared to disclose and provide detailed records of the following:
- Denial of a professional license or permit
- Professional disciplinary actions
- Criminal history
- Child support delinquency
- Financial default on taxes or student loans
- Military service dishonorable discharge
Applicants and the broker of record receive an email confirmation once an application is approved or denied.
Post-Licensing Education
The renewal period in New Jersey is every two years, with the next renewal on July 1, 2025. Agents licensed after July 1, 2024, are exempt from the 2025 renewal cycle.
Agents complete 12 credit hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal cycle. Six hours of core topics are required, including:
- Ethics (Mandatory 2 hours)
- Fair Housing & NJ Law Against Discrimination (Mandatory 1 hour)
- Agency
- Disclosure
- Legal Issues
- NJ Statues and Regulations
- Real Estate Environmental Laws/Regulations
- Escrow and Financial Recordkeeping
- Licensee Safety
- Financial Literacy and Planning
Salespersons can complete six elective credits in:
- Commercial Real Estate
- Property Management
- Finance
- Land Use
- Real Estate Transactions
- Foreclosure and Short-Sale
- Sales Disclosure and Timeshare Act
- Seasonal Rentals
PSI, the real estate exam administrator, provides continuing education transcripts and providers.
Final Thoughts
New Jersey is home to beautiful real estate and incredible career opportunities. Earning your real estate license takes work and determination, but the hard workers who power through enjoy a unique career in a special industry.
When selling real estate, each day is new, and each deal builds potential lifelong relationships. Plus, the earnings potential is limitless.
Find a real estate school and take the first step. Once locked in, share it with the world. Let everyone know who their new real estate agent is, and never stop reminding them.
Good luck, and welcome to the real estate industry.

Author: Agent Nook Team
Sometimes, it takes a team. Agent Nook always brings an experienced perspective—or several—into each post. This ensures our readers always have the most up-to-date and relevant information.