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How to get a real estate license in New Jersey. 75 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $271.05. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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30% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$271.05
Total Gov Fees
110
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in New Jersey
Enroll in an NJREC-approved 75-hour salesperson pre-licensing course (online or in-person).
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Register via PSI website or call 855-579-4624. Pay $45 exam fee. Pass combined exam with 70% overall (77/110 correct).
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Schedule at an IDEMIA/IdentoGO location. Cost: $66.05. Must be done in NJ if you live/work/attend school there.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Secure affiliation with a licensed NJ broker who will submit your application.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Broker submits application to NJREC with $160 fee. Processing: ~10 business days.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks processing
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents may obtain a license. |
| Citizenship | Not required Must have legal presence (green card, appropriate visa, or work authorization). |
| Background Check | Required FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check through IDEMIA/IdentoGO ($66.05). |
| Character | Required Must demonstrate 'good character, trustworthiness, honesty, and integrity.' |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Broker submits the license application on candidate's behalf. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
NJREC-approved schools (~200+) including online, self-paced, Zoom, and classroom formats
Required Courses
Course cost typically $200–$500 depending on provider and format.
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
110
Total Time
240 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. COMBINED exam — national and state questions are INTERMIXED (not separated into distinct sections). Available in-person at 10 PSI test centers across NJ or via online live remote proctoring.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined (National + State, intermixed) | 110 | 240 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
Unlimited retakes within 1-year eligibility window. Must wait at least 1 business day between attempts. $45 per attempt. Must retake entire exam on failure.
110 scored questions + 5–10 unscored pretest questions. SINGLE passing threshold: 70% overall (77/110 correct). Questions are NOT separated into distinct national/state sections. 10 NJ test centers: Brick, Cherry Hill, Hamilton Square, Linwood, New Brunswick, New Providence, North Brunswick, Northfield, Rochelle Park, Secaucus. Remote proctoring available via PSI. Must apply within 1 year of completing pre-license course.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee (initial) Paid to: NJREC | |
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: PSI Services ⚠ Conflict: Some educational websites reports $45. Current PSI fee is $45 per attempt. Some older sources cited $38. | |
Fingerprinting / Background Check (IDEMIA LiveScan) Paid to: IDEMIA (IdentoGO) | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $271.05 |
Ready to get started in New Jersey?
Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in New Jersey with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
June 30 of odd-numbered years. CE deadline: April 30 of renewal year (late = $200 fee).
First Renewal Notes
Licensees obtaining their license in the second year of the term are exempt from CE for that term.
NJ is a 'turf state' — out-of-state licensees cannot practice in NJ without a NJ license.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
No
Type: Education Waivers Only
No formal reciprocity. Education waivers available for licensees from specific states: FL (need 15 additional hrs + pass NJ exam), NY (0–35 additional hrs depending on when licensed + pass NJ exam), PA (need 15 additional hrs for pre-2018 licensees + pass NJ exam). All waiver applicants: $25 fee, must pass NJ exam, meet all other NJ requirements.
4–16 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive online course and quick processing. Typical: 6–10 weeks.
2024-08-01
Real Estate Consumer Protection Enhancement Act (P.L. 2024, c.32): Written Brokerage Service Agreements mandatory, Designated Agency introduced, commission negotiability disclosure required, seller property condition disclosures mandatory, open house agent representation signage required.
2025-01-01
Agency CE topic now a mandatory core requirement for 2025-2027 renewal cycle (1 hour minimum).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Jersey.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#7 of 49
Cost
#27 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$49,230
25th percentile
Median
$66,680
+18% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$101,000
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
950 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+35% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$66,680
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$66,680
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$92,890
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$89,890
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: NJREC — Official Website
Estimated total: 4–16 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: NJREC — Official Website
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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