Licensing & state law

How to become a real estate agent in New Jersey

To get a New Jersey real estate salesperson license you complete 75 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the PSI-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC) sets the rules and issues the license.

What are the requirements for a New Jersey real estate license?

New Jersey requires 75 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the PSI salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.

New Jersey real estate license facts
RequirementNew Jersey
Pre-license education75 hours
Exam administratorPSI
License / application feen/a
Exam feen/a
RegulatorNew Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC)
Payroll-employed agents (BLS)n/a
Agent median pay (BLS May 2025)$99,990

What are the steps to get licensed in New Jersey?

Getting licensed in New Jersey takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 75 hours of pre-license education, pass the PSI exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC).

1/ 6

Meet the basic eligibility

Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC) lists any residency or other conditions.

2/ 6

Complete 75 hours of pre-license education

New Jersey requires 75 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.

3/ 6

Pass the New Jersey salesperson exam

The exam is administered by PSI and covers national real estate principles plus New Jersey law.

4/ 6

Clear the background check

Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC).

5/ 6

Affiliate with a sponsoring broker

A new New Jersey salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.

6/ 6

Apply and activate the license

File the application and pay the license fee to the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC), then activate under your broker.

How much does a New Jersey real estate license cost?

New Jersey's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC) before applying.

How much do licensed agents earn in New Jersey?

Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in New Jersey earned a median of $99,990 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $47,130. See the full New Jersey agent salary breakdown.

What are New Jersey’s housing markets like for new agents?

WealthyBud tracks 4 New Jersey housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $497,175 as of September 2026, from $299,950 in Vineland to $742,000 in Newark; 2 of 4 are below last year's asking price.

Largest tracked New Jersey housing markets by active listings — September 2026
MarketMedian list priceYoYDays on marketActive listings
Newark, NJ$742,000-2.3%5638,158
Atlantic City, NJ$544,450+0.4%612,162
Trenton, NJ$449,900+0.5%52842
Vineland, NJ$299,950-4.0%50365

All tracked markets: New Jersey housing market hub.

New Jersey real estate license FAQ

How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires 75 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC) requirements.
How much does a New Jersey real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Course tuition varies by school. The New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC) publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the New Jersey real estate exam?
PSI administers the New Jersey salesperson exam.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in New Jersey?
No. New Jersey requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC) licenses and regulates New Jersey real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC) before enrolling.

Renata Kowalski Metro Housing Analyst

Renata Kowalski is a metro housing analyst who reviews WealthyBud's city and metro market guides, verifying figures against county and state housing records. She focuses on cross-checking price and inventory claims before they go live.

Editorial persona: WealthyBud bylines are editorial personas, not real individuals. Pages are produced by the WealthyBud research team from the public data cited on each page.