State Licensing Requirements

The law in New Jersey requires all applicants for licensure as a real estate salesperson or broker to possess good character, trustworthiness, honesty and integrity. To enforce this requirement, all applicants for licensure must submit to a criminal history record check. The statutory qualifications also include the absence of any conviction for forgery, burglary, robbery, any theft offense other than shoplifting, criminal conspiracy to defraud, or other like offenses within the five years preceding the application for licensure.

Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Requirements:

Applicant must be 18 years of age or older
Have a high school education or equivalency
Be a legal resident of the USA (citizen or other legal residency)
Successfully complete a 75-hour prelicensure course at a licensed school
Pass the state license examination.

After successfully completing the course and passing the examination the applicant must apply for a license through a sponsoring real estate broker. Application for a real estate license must be submitted to the Commission within one year of the date when the candidate successfully completes the 75-hour pre-licensure course…otherwise, the course must be taken again.

Real Estate Broker Licensing Requirements:

Applicant must have a high school education or equivalency
Must successfully complete 150 hours of prelicensure education. Applicants must first complete a 90-hour general real estate course, and then two 30-hour courses on Agency/Ethics and Office Management and related topics
Applicant must have been continually licensed and employed on a full-time basis as a New Jersey real estate salesperson for the three years immediately preceding application
Applicant must pass the state broker license examination

Applicant must apply for, and request, the issuance of a license as a broker or broker-salesperson not later than one year after their successful completion of the broker prelicensure education requirements. After completion of all three courses applicants must submit to the Education Qualification Section of the Commission their completed school certificate and a completed Experience Report For Broker Applicant form. Following review and approval, the applicant will be mailed a Certificate of Examination Eligibility, which may be used to make a reservation to take the Broker license examination. If an applicant has ever been convicted of a crime, or is currently on parole or probation their application for a real estate license may be denied.

Additional Information: If you are a disabled United States Veteran and a citizen of New Jersey, it may be possible to secure waivers of the education and experience requirements for licensure. Please contact the New Jersey Commission's Education Waiver Section at 609-292-7272 Ext. 50137 for details. New Jersey does not have licensure reciprocity with any other state; however courses and experience taken in other states may qualify for waivers of the education and experience requirements in New Jersey: