How to Get a New Jersey Real Estate License
Jay Gallagher
Real Estate Broker (Advice from an agent like you, not some tech nerd who never sold a home!)
This is a Step by Step Guide on how to get your New Jersey Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from Newark to Trenton or Toms River to my favorite town, Cape May, or anywhere in between, becoming a real estate agent may be the best decision you ever make.
All the information, documents and links you’ll need to get your New Jersey real estate salesperson license are below.
I also answer all the most common questions at the bottom of the page.
Click on a question to see the answers:
- How much does a New Jersey realtor make?
- How long is Real Estate School in New Jersey ?
- How hard is the New Jersey Real Estate Exam?
- What’s the best New Jersey real estate brokerage to join?
- How much does it cost to get a New Jersey real estate license?
Meet the State Requirements
Learn exactly what the State of New Jersey requires before you can get a Real Estate Salesperson License.
Complete Licensing Education
New Jersey requires only 75 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Pass the State Exam
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the New Jersey Real Estate Salesperson License Exam the very first time.
Submit Fingerprints
New Jersey uses IdentoGo, a third party private company with locations nationwide to obtain fingerprints.
Pick an Employing Broker
Meet the new boss! The good news is you get to pick the broker you want to work with. Learn how to pick the best.
Submit the Application
Make sure you get it right the first time. Check the list, make sure you jumped through all the right hoops and hit send.
Pass Background Check
It takes a few weeks to process your background check once you submit your fingerprints for review.
Launch Your New Career
Now the fun begins. Learn how to get your new Real Estate Career off on the right foot by doing the right things to get business.
So, How Do You Get a New Jersey Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Requirements
To get your New Jersey Real Estate Salesperson License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have a Social Security Number.
- Have proof of legal presence and legal name in the United States.
- Must pass state and FBI background checks.
- Take and Pass a New Jersey approved Pre-Licensing Education Course.
- Pass the National Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
- Pass the New Jersey State Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
2. Complete Pre-Licensing Education
New Jersey has one course with a minimum of 75 hours of coursework that must be completed before you can apply for your New Jersey Real Estate License:
- New Jersey Real Estate Salesperson Course – 75 Hours of Coursework
These practice tests actually guarantee you’ll pass the Real Estate Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the New Jersey Real Estate Exam on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
Remember, you only have one year from the date of completion of your Pre-Licensing Education to submit your real estate agent application to the NJREC or your education certificate will expire and you’ll have to retake the course again.
3. Pick an Employing Broker
New Jersey has two exams you must be pass before you can apply for your New Jersey Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson National Exam
- Real Estate Salesperson New Jersey State Exam
The New Jersey Real Estate Commission has contracted with PSI Services, (PSI) to conduct the examination testing. You can go to the PSI website here to create an account and schedule a time and place to take the New Jersey Real Estate Exams. You can also schedule an exam time and location by calling PSI at 855 579-4634.
You can download the NJREC Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Information Bulletin here with all the details on the testing process and protocols.
PSI provides examinations through a network of computer examination centers nationwide so you can take the exams even if you are applying from another location out of state. PSI even offers Remote Online Proctored Exams that allows you to take the exams anywhere you have a computer. Personally I think it’s easier to just go to one of their testing centers. Make sure you follow all of the PSI security protocols. PSI takes testing procedures very seriously.
When you pass the Real Estate Salesperson Exams, PSI will give you a Real Estate Examination Passing Score Report certifying that you did pass. Don’t lose it. You’ll need it for the next few steps.
The biggest concern that most people have about the entire real estate licensing process is about passing the test. People worry that they will have to take the test more than once. You really don’t have to worry.
If you followed my advice and chose a Pre-Licensing Education course that included the Online Practice Tests and you’ve taken those practice tests again and again until you consistently score 90 or above then you’ll be just fine.
With the Practice Tests, it’s actually guaranteed you’ll pass, so please, don’t worry about the exam. You’re gonna do great!
4. Pass the Real Estate Exams
New Jersey requires all real estate agent applicants to be fingerprinted for the background checks. The NJREC makes it easy to get fingerprinted by using IdentoGo, a private third party company to collect your fingerprints.
The first step is to download the New Jersey Universal Fingerprint Form here.
Once you fill out the fingerprinting form you can make an appointment to get fingerprinted by going to the IdentoGo website here. IdentoGo has locations nationwide so you should be able to find a convenient place near you.
Make sure you bring the completed form and acceptable ID to your appointment.
Make sure you keep your copy of the completed Universal Form and a copy of the payment receipt issued by the Live Scan fingerprint vendor when you were fingerprinting. You’ll need both of these documents when submitting your final Real Estate Salesperson License Application.
5. Submit Fingerprint Cards
All Realtors must work under the supervision of an Employing Broker who’s responsible for training and monitoring their activities. The good news is that you get to pick a broker to place your real estate salesperson license under.
You’ll need to take the original Real Estate Examination Passing Score Report that you received from PSI with you when you meet with your broker. The Employing Broker you choose must complete, sign, and date the Score Report (Copies are not accepted.) You’ll need to submit this form with your Real Estate Salesperson Application.
If you’re a new agent, I recommend you go with one of the big box real estate brokerages. ReMax, Keller Williams and Century 21 are a good place to start. The reason I recommend these brokerages for new agents is because the big box brokerages have training programs in place to help you make the transition from Rookie Agent to seasoned pro.
6. Submit An Application
Now that you’ve passed the exams, picked a broker and gotten fingerprinted, you can apply for a New Jersey Real Estate Salesperson License. You can apply either online or go old school and apply through the mail using a paper application.
You can download a paper application here.
You can apply online by creating an account at the NJREC website here.
To get your New Jersey real estate license, the following items need to be submitted to the New Jersey Real Estate Commission:
- Completed New Jersey Real Estate Salesperson Application.
- PSI passing score report, completed by your employing broker (Copies are not accepted.)
- Completed Universal Fingerprinting Form.
- Fingerprint receipt provided upon completion of the fingerprint process.
Once your application is complete, the NJREC will now order the background checks and review your application. Almost done.
7. Pass Background Check
The NJREC requires all applicants for licensure to submit to a criminal history record check so they can make a determination of your eligibility to be licensed. After you submit your application, including the proof of fingerprinting, the NJREC will run two background checks, a state check and an FBI background check.
New Jersey law specifically prohibits licensure to anyone that’s been convicted of forgery, burglary, robbery, criminal conspiracy to defraud or other like offenses within the past 5 years. Convictions for shoplifting or other offenses which occurred more than 5 years ago or the loss of a real estate or other professional license for cause, may constitute grounds for the denial of a license.
The Commission considers the date and nature of all convictions and other indications of the applicant’s character, honesty, trustworthiness and integrity when evaluating an applicant’s qualifications for licensure.
Once your background check is complete, the NJREC will review your application and once approved, they will send an email to you and your employing broker.
8. Launch Your New Real Estate Career!
Now the real fun (and work) begins. The best thing about being a Real Estate Agent is the freedom it gives you. You’re your own boss and you get to decide how to move your real estate career forward.
Books
Continuous learning is the hallmark of all successful agents. Here are some resources to get you going in the right direction.
Below are my best suggestions:
- Best Books to Learn Principles of Success.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agents.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agent Social Media Marketing
Tools
You’ll need some tools to get the job done. At the very least, you’ll need a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and a Real Estate Agent Website.
9. Jay Answers Your Questions...
The best (and worst) thing about being a realtor is the freedom you have. Many agents just work part-time and only do 1-3 transactions a year. Other agents work 60+ hours a week and sell hundreds of homes a year.
The best way to answer the question of how much a New Jersey realtor makes is to show how much you are likely to make per transaction.
The average price of a home in New Jersey is $425,000. Say the average commission per side of the transaction is 5.5% and the average broker/agent split is 15/85. That means you will earn, on average, about $9000 per transaction. Not bad.
Of course this number will vary based on the average cost of real estate in your area, your commission rate and your broker split but that’s a good number to start with. Now you can dial up your income based on how hard and how effectively you work.
New Jersey requires 75 hours of coursework. If you elect to take these courses in a classroom setting, you’ll have to go to a designated place and sit for the entire time.
For this reason, most people take the courses online so they can take the courses at their own pace and any time they wish.
Most people find they can complete the online coursework in a fraction of the 75 hours. A motivated person can complete it in as little as two weeks but most people will take a month or more if they do a little bit every day.
The New Jersey Real Estate Exam is not difficult IF you buy a test prep course.
The best test prep courses include practice tests that you can take over and over again until you know the material. If you can consistently take a practice test and score a 90 or higher, then you are practically guaranteed to pass the actual exam.
If you’re someone who gets nervous and their mind goes blank during testing, then maybe you should wait until your score on the practice tests is consistently 95 or better.
The best brokerage is the one that’s the best fit for you.
Call up a few local brokerages and schedule a time to sit down and talk to them. Discuss things like E&O insurance, commission splits, leads and don’t forget to find out about any desk fees, tech fees or insurance fees.
Remember, if you don’t like the brokerage, you can easily change brokers.
I don’t recommend that you use any brokers CRM or email address because those things are the heart of YOUR real estate business and if your clients information is locked into your broker’s CRM, then it will be harder to make the move. That’s why the tools are “free” or included in a tech fee, to make it difficult for you to leave.
Let’s break it all down.
- Fingerprint/Background check – $66.00
- Pre-licensing Educational courses – $300.00 – $545.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $0.00 – $99.00 – (Some Pre-Licensing Includes Exam Prep)
- Exam costs – $38.00
- New Jersey State – Fees
- License Fee – $100.00
- Application Fee – $50.00
- Guaranty Fund – $10.00
- Total State Fees – $160.00
The cost of getting your New Jersey real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs. The cost for most agents will be as low as $560.00 to as high as $809.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $564.00.
