Business ElementaryThe NJ 40-Year Broker CE Exemption Explained
The short answer: A New Jersey broker or broker-salesperson who has held that license level for 40 years or more can apply to the Real Estate Commission for a permanent exemption from continuing education. The 40 years don't have to be continuous, years as a salesperson don't count, and broker years in another ARELLO-member jurisdiction can count. You apply once, in writing, on the Commission's form, on or before March 15 of the second year of the license term. If you're approved, you never have to reapply (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5A, as adopted by R.2026 d.020; NJREC 40-year exemption page). NJREC says there is no fee to apply (NJREC exemption FAQs).
For the CE rules every other licensee follows, see our guide to NJ continuing education and license renewal.
Where does the 40-year exemption come from?
It started in the statute. P.L.2017, c.200, effective August 7, 2017, added an exemption to New Jersey's CE law (N.J.S.A. 45:15-16.2a to -16.2g) for brokers and broker-salespersons licensed at that level for 40 years or more. The Commission's Bulletin 19-04 explained how to apply "pending the promulgation of rules" (NJREC Bulletin 19-04).
The rules followed in the 2026 amendments to N.J.A.C. 11:5, effective January 20, 2026. They added a new section, 11:5-12.5A, for the exemption. The main CE section now says it doesn't apply to anyone approved for the exemption (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.3(e)).
Who qualifies?
Under the rule, you must certify 40 years of experience in one of two ways, or a mix of them (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5A(a)–(b)):
- Licensed as a broker or broker-salesperson in New Jersey; or
- Licensed as a broker or broker-salesperson, or a "license type substantially similar in nature and responsibility," in a jurisdiction that belongs to ARELLO, the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials.
If some of your years come from a jurisdiction that isn't an ARELLO member, the Commission may ask you to show that its licensing requirements are substantially similar to New Jersey's (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5A(e)).
| Your license history | Counts toward 40 years? |
|---|---|
| Years as a NJ broker | Yes |
| Years as a NJ broker-salesperson | Yes |
| Broker-level years in another ARELLO-member jurisdiction | Yes, with a certified license history |
| Years as a salesperson, in NJ or elsewhere | No |
| Years with gaps between them | Yes, the years don't have to be continuous |
The salesperson rule comes from the Commission itself: "years of licensure as a salesperson do not count" (NJREC 40-year exemption page). If you spent your first decade as a salesperson, start counting from the date you got your broker or broker-salesperson license.
How do you apply?
- Confirm your dates. If you're not sure when each license was issued, you can request a certified license history from the Commission (NJREC license history page). Our license history guide walks through the request.
- Fill out the Commission's form. The application asks for your legal name, a residential mailing address (no P.O. boxes), phone and email, and the date, state and license reference number of each broker or broker-salesperson license you're relying on. You sign a certification that the information is true (NJREC exemption application).
- Attach out-of-state proof if you need it. The form says that if you rely only on your New Jersey history, you don't need to attach anything else. If you rely on another jurisdiction, include a certified license history from it, plus anything that shows the license there is substantially similar to a NJ broker or broker-salesperson license. The 2026 rule also says applicants provide documents that back up their certification, and the Commission can ask for more (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5A(c), (e)). Keep your records handy.
- Send it in. The form lists mail, email (realestate@dobi.nj.gov) and fax options. The Commission's Education Bureau processes these applications (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.3(b)5).
When is the deadline?
The application must be filed on or before March 15 of the second year of the license term (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5A(d)). NJREC's FAQ puts it as March 15 "of the renewal year" (NJREC exemption FAQs). The current term ends June 30, 2027, and the CE deadline that avoids the late processing fee is April 30, 2027 (NJREC CE FAQ #18). That makes March 15, 2027 the filing date for this term.
The rule doesn't describe a late-filing path. If you miss March 15, plan to complete this term's 12 credits, and call the Commission at (609) 292-7272 with questions.
What happens after you apply?
NJREC says it notifies applicants when a request is approved (NJREC exemption FAQs). An approved exemption covers "subsequent license terms," and you won't need to file again (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5A(f)). You still renew your license each term. The exemption only removes CE as a condition of renewal (NJREC exemption FAQs).
If the Commission denies the request, you can appeal. The appeal must be filed within 45 days of the date of the denial notice and include a letter stating the factual and legal basis (N.J.A.C. 11:5-11.10(a)6, (b)).
Can exempt brokers still take CE?
Yes. Exempt licensees aren't required to take CE but may take courses if they want to (NJREC exemption FAQs; Bulletin 19-04). It can still be worth doing. The 2026 rule amendments changed a lot of everyday practice, and a broker who supervises newer agents still needs to know the current rules. Our guide to choosing CE electives can help you pick useful topics.
How is the exemption different from a CE waiver?
They're easy to mix up because both have a March 15 filing date.
| 40-year exemption | CE waiver | |
|---|---|---|
| Rule | N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5A | N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5 |
| Based on | 40+ years as a broker or broker-salesperson | Inability to finish CE due to illness, active duty for a year or more of the term, emergency or other substantial hardship (not financial) |
| Lasts | All later terms | One term; waived core credits are made up next term, except for active-duty waivers |
| Deadline | March 15 of the term's second year | March 15 of the term's second year, except emergencies |
Sources: N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5 and 12.5A. Our CE tips list covers the waiver in more detail, and reinstating an expired license explains what happens if a renewal is missed.
If someone you mentor is just starting out, Business Elementary's 75-hour pre-licensing course is one place to begin.
Sources
- N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.3(b)5; 11:5-11.10(a)6, (b); 11:5-12.3(e); 11:5-12.5; 11:5-12.5A, as adopted by R.2026 d.020 (58 N.J.R. 803, Jan. 20, 2026): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/proposed/aa260120njac11_5.pdf
- NJ Real Estate Commission, CE Exemption Based on Licensure as a Broker or Broker-Salesperson for 40 Years or More: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/continuingeducation/40yearexempt.htm
- NJREC, Frequently Asked Questions on the 40-year CE exemption: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/continuingeducation/40yearexemptfaqs.htm
- NJREC, Application for Continuing Education Exemption (40 years or more): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/continuingeducation/40plusexemption.pdf
- NJ DOBI Bulletin 19-04 (P.L.2017, c.200): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/bulletins/blt19_04.pdf
- NJREC Continuing Education FAQs (#7, #18): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/continuingeducation/faqs.htm
- NJREC, How to Obtain a License Certification/License History: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/recliccert.htm
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026