License Requirements
The NJ Real Estate Commission issues licenses to Salespersons, Brokers, Instructors and real estate schools. The Commission also regulates the profession and establishes standards of practice. All applicants for real estate licensing must meet educational requirements; prove US citizenship or legal basis for residency; pass a State examination; and possess good character.
To Obtain a Salesperson's License
1. Must be at least 18 years old
2. Possess a high school diploma or equivalency
3. Successfully complete a 75-hour pre-licensing course
4. Pass a State licensing examination
5. Demonstrate good character, integrity and honesty
6. Complete fingerprinting and background check and respond to the 8 Screening Questions (see below).
-Once applicants for a Salesperson’s license have met these requirements, they apply for a license through a sponsoring Broker.
To Obtain a Broker's License
1. Must be licensed as a Salesperson and employed full-time in the profession for a minimum of three (3) years
2. Successfully complete a150-hour licensing course
3. Pass a State licensing examination
4. Demonstrate good character, integrity and honesty
-Applicants have one year after successfully completing the State examination to apply for a license.
-New Jersey does not have reciprocal licensing agreements with any other state.
Screening Questions
1. With the exception of motor vehicle violations, have you ever been convicted of a crime, misdemeanor, or disorderly person’s offense in the State of New Jersey or any other state, or by the federal government, or are you presently on probation or parole?
2. Is there any criminal complaint, disorderly persons charge, a criminal accusation or criminal information presently pending against you or are you presently under indictment in New Jersey, any other state or by the federal government, or are you presently enrolled in New Jersey’s Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program or any similar State or Federal program involving the deferral of the disposition or sentencing in a criminal matter?
3. Have you ever had a real estate or other professional license, certification or similar credential revoked, suspended, surrendered in lieu of formal prosecution, or denied in New Jersey or any other State?
4. Do you have a child support obligation on which there is an arrangement due that is equal or exceeds the amount of child support payable for six months, or are you the subject of a child support related warrant, or during the past 6 months have you failed to provide any court-ordered health care coverage, or have you failed to respond to a subpoena relating to a paternity or child support proceeding?
5. Are you UNDER the age of 18 at the time of taking this examination?
6. Do you hold, or have you ever held, ANY license issued by the New Jersey Real Estate Commission?
7. Are you a high school graduate or the holder of a G.E.D?
8. Do you currently hold a real estate license issued by another state?
Effective Immediately
The New Jersey Real Estate Commission’s Education Bureau will no longer be able to verify the license history for broker candidates while they are attending broker classes.
This service has been complimentary in the past and oftentimes broker classes are already underway before we get a list of attendees to verify that they qualify with three years of consecutive, active and full time status which would allow them to sit for the broker exam after completing the course.
The Department has always had forms online for licensees to check their license history and to request a certification of Iicensure. Effective immediately, licensees who wish to verify their license history will need to complete the form and submit it to the Real Estate Licensing Unit for processing. This should be done prior to enrollment into broker classes as there is a processing time of approximately two weeks.
All school directors and instructors should make candidates aware that they are responsible for verifying their own status via this method if they are not sure what their history reflects.
Attached is a copy of that form and provided below is the link to the page on the website that holds the form.
http://www.state.nj.us/dobi/division_rec/licensing/forms/reccertreq.pdf
If you have any questions, please fee free to contact me.
Thank you,
Gwendolyn Cobb
Name of School: ________________________________ Name of Instructor: _____________________________
By signing this document I am certifying that I have been informed by the School/Instructor indicated above of the importance of immediately completing the steps required for licensure. I have been encouraged to test early and schedule the fingerprint process.
I am aware that I must complete the following steps before my Eligibility Expiration Date or within 1 YEAR OF COURSE COMPLETION DATE:
Pass the state examination
Submit to the fingerprint process
Meet with my employing broker
Make application to the Real Estate Commission
I have been informed that I may have difficulty in scheduling the fingerprint process, especially during peak times of the year, and have been advised that no consideration will be offered because of my inability to complete the fingerprint process within the required timeframe.
If I do not make application for licensure by my Eligibility Expiration Date I will be required to retake the entire course and follow the initial procedure for licensure. I am aware that there will be no exceptions.
It has been emphasized that I must “REMEMBER THAT A YEAR IS A YEAR, IS A YEAR!”
I have been duly informed of the importance of this situation and hereby so certify.
Print name of student: ________________________________ Signature of Student: ________________________________ Date: ___________________