How Do You Become a Real Estate Broker in NJ?

The short answer: To become a real estate broker in New Jersey, you first need to work full-time as a licensed NJ salesperson for the three years immediately before you apply (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9). You also need to complete 150 hours of broker pre-licensure education (a 90-hour general course and two 30-hour courses), get your experience approved by the Real Estate Commission, and pass the broker exam (NJREC FAQ). After that, you apply for the license within one year of finishing the education (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8(e)).

This is the overview of the path, from your salesperson years to your first broker license. If you're still sorting out the titles, start with agent vs. REALTOR® vs. broker. For the salesperson license that comes first, see our complete guide to getting a NJ real estate license.

What are the steps, in order?

What experience do you need?

The statute says every broker or broker-salesperson applicant must "have first been the holder of a New Jersey real estate salesperson's license" and have been "actively engaged on a full-time basis in the real estate brokerage business in this State as a real estate salesperson for three years immediately preceding the date of application" (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9).

The Commission reads that as showing real estate brokerage is your primary vocation. Its rule sets out what counts as full-time, including a weekly-hours standard and a limit on any other job you hold during those three years (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8(a)). Two other points from the rule:

• Your brokers vouch for you. The brokers you worked under must submit written statements certifying your activity, and the Commission may ask for documentation of closed transactions (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8(b)).
• Referrals alone don't count. If your activity was limited to making referrals to other licensees, you won't meet the full-time requirement (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8(b)3).

If you plan to go for a broker license someday, it helps to keep your own records of your transactions from day one.

What education is required?

You need 150 hours of broker pre-licensure education: the 90-hour broker general course, the 30-hour Agency/Ethics course and the 30-hour Office Management/Related Topics course, all completed within two years (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.1(g), as amended effective Jan. 20, 2026). NJREC's FAQ still says the 90-hour course must be completed first (NJREC FAQ). The rule as amended in January 2026 no longer sets that order, and the Commission's proposal explained the change as letting candidates take the 150 hours in whichever order they choose (rule proposal summary). Confirm the order with your school or NJREC before you enroll. The 30-hour courses must be taken at a licensed New Jersey real estate school.

According to PSI's bulletin, the courses don't all have to be taken at the same school, but all three must be certified on a single School Certificate. Part A covers the 90-hour course, and Parts B and C cover the two 30-hour courses. Keep that certificate until all three parts are complete (PSI bulletin).

There's a side benefit for current licensees. NJREC says a broker pre-licensure course satisfies your continuing education requirement for that license term (NJREC CE). See our CE and renewal guide for how CE normally works.

How do you get approved to take the broker exam?

You can't book the broker exam on your own. The Commission has to approve your three years of experience first, and you can't apply for that approval until you've been licensed continuously for three years and finished all 150 hours (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8(a)3; PSI bulletin).

To apply, you send the completed school certificate, the Experience Activity Report(s) completed by your broker(s), and a $25 nonrefundable fee (certified or cashier's check, money order or broker's business check; no personal checks) to the Commission's Broker Applicant Approval unit in Trenton. Once you're approved, the Commission sends your eligibility to PSI electronically and PSI emails you a confirmation (PSI bulletin; NJREC FAQ).

What is the NJ broker exam like?

According to PSI's bulletin (PSI bulletin):

Some national broker questions are scored at up to two points. The broker exam has the same national topic areas as the salesperson exam, with slightly different weights and some broker-only items, such as supervisory responsibilities and trust accounts. The NJ-specific "Statutes and Rules Governing Licensee Activities" section has 30 broker items, compared with 22 for salespersons. For the overall test format, see our PSI exam guide.

Broker or broker-salesperson: what do you apply for?

Passing the exam qualifies you. What you apply for depends on how you plan to work:

• Broker-salesperson: you're broker-qualified but keep working under another licensed broker (N.J.S.A. 45:15-3). A broker-salesperson can't independently keep an office or escrow account, but may be authorized to serve as an office supervisor under N.J.S.A. 45:15-12 (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8(c)).
• Sole proprietor (Employing Broker) or Broker of Record of a firm: PSI's bulletin tells you to contact NJREC's Licensing Services Bureau for how to process that kind of application (PSI bulletin).

For a broker-salesperson application, the bulletin lists the PSI passing score report signed by the employing broker (your previous salesperson license must be terminated), the fingerprint paperwork, and the license fee, all submitted together.

How much does it cost, and how long does it take?

• Initial license: $270 for a broker-salesperson, sole proprietor broker or broker of record (NJREC fees). PSI breaks that down as a $200 license fee, $50 application fee and $20 Guaranty Fund fee (PSI bulletin).
• Renewal: $200 per two-year term (NJREC fees).
• Processing: NJREC asks broker applicants to allow 30 business days (NJREC FAQ).

The deadline matters most. If you don't pass the exam and apply within one year of finishing the 150 hours, you have to retake all the courses and the exam and show the experience requirement again (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8(e)).

Are there exceptions?

The experience requirement can be waived for someone who holds a broker license in another state and has been actively engaged in the business there for at least three years (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9; N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8(a)1). Waivers depend on your situation, so contact NJREC at (609) 292-7272 before you rely on one. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Every broker starts as a salesperson. If you're at that stage, Business Elementary's 75-hour pre-licensing course is the first step.

Sources

• N.J.S.A. 45:15-9, Real estate licenses (via Justia): https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-45/section-45-15-9/
• N.J.S.A. 45:15-3, Definitions (via Justia): https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-45/section-45-15-3/
• N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8, Qualifications for licensing; broker and broker-salesperson (via Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-3-8
• N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.1(g) as amended, R.2026 d.020 (New Jersey Register adoption notice, effective Jan. 20, 2026): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/proposed/aa260120njac11_5.pdf
• Notice of proposal PRN 2025-057, 57 N.J.R. 1075(a) (June 2, 2025; course-order change explained): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/proposed/prn25_057.pdf
• NJREC, Real Estate FAQs (Q9, Q12): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/recfaqs.htm
• NJREC, Real Estate License Fees: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/recfees.htm
• NJREC, Continuing education requirements: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/online_Instructions/ce.html
• PSI, NJ Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 2/1/2026): https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/1667

Last reviewed: October 30, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all three broker courses have to be taken at the same school?

No. According to PSI's bulletin, the courses can be taken at different licensed schools, but all three must be certified on a single School Certificate (PSI bulletin).

How many questions are on the NJ broker exam?

115 questions worth 120 points. You need 70% (84 correct) to pass, and you get 4 hours (PSI bulletin).

How long do I have after finishing the broker courses?

You must pass the broker exam and apply for your license within one year of completing the 150 hours. Otherwise you repeat the courses and exam and must show the experience requirement again (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.8(e)).

Does taking a broker course count toward my CE?

Yes. Completing a broker pre-licensure course fulfills the CE requirement for the license term in which you complete it (NJREC CE).

How much does a NJ broker license cost?

The initial broker-salesperson or broker license fee is $270, and renewal is $200 per term (NJREC fees). There's also a $25 fee when you submit your experience for approval (PSI bulletin).