Can You Take NJ Real Estate CE Online? What the Rules Require
The short answer: Yes. New Jersey's continuing education rules say approved courses "may be offered in-person or online" (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.12(c), as amended Jan 20, 2026). The catch is approval. The course and the provider both have to be approved by the NJ Real Estate Commission, or the hours won't count toward the 12 credits you need each license term (NJREC CE FAQs). Online courses also have to meet extra rules on engagement, identity checks and timing.
Here's what counts as "online," what those rules mean for you as a student, and how to check a course before you sign up.
What counts as an online CE course in NJ?
The rule defines an online course as one "administered through the Internet (for example, webinars or video conferencing)." It specifically excludes courses delivered on CD-ROM, on disk or by correspondence (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.2).
So both kinds of internet course qualify:
- Live online classes (a webinar or a Zoom-style session with an instructor), and
- On-demand courses you work through on your own schedule.
Either one still has to be an approved course from an approved provider. NJREC's FAQ says distance and online courses are available "upon such courses being approved by the Commission and offered by approved providers," in "a variety of formats" (NJREC CE FAQs).
What rules do online CE courses have to follow?
On top of the rules for every CE course, online courses must meet the extra requirements in N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.14. Here's what each one means for you:
| Rule | What you'll notice |
|---|---|
| Periodic progress checks, with a satisfactory score needed to move on | Quizzes between sections that you have to pass |
| Designed for active engagement with an instructor, other students or the program | Interaction, not just a video playing |
| Time to complete at least equals the credit hours | A 3-credit course can't be finished in an hour |
| Notice of how interaction works and what hardware or software you need | Tech requirements stated up front |
| Instructor or technical support for hardware or software failures | Someone to contact if it crashes |
| Procedures to verify the student's identity | ID checks or login verification |
| A time-out for inactivity | No credit for time you're away |
| A signed and dated statement that you personally completed the course | An attestation at the end |
Every CE course, online or not, needs at least 50 minutes of actual instruction per credit hour (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.12(e)). Providers also have to verify completion of each online course (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.7(d)).
How do you check an online course before you pay?
- Look it up. NJ CE records and approvals are tracked in PSI's CE system at njrece.psiexams.com. It has a "Course search" and a "Find Provider" tab. If a provider doesn't appear, NJREC says it isn't currently NJ-approved (NJREC CE FAQs).
- Read the provider's notice. Before you register, the provider has to tell you how many credits the course is approved for, whether it's core or elective, the fees, the refund policy, the subject matter and learning objectives, and what you need to do to complete it (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.7(e)).
- Match it to what you still need. At least 6 of your 12 credits must be core topics, including 2 ethics, 1 fair housing and 1 agency (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.4). Our NJ CE requirements guide has the full rules and deadlines. If you're taking broker pre-licensing courses this term, check how to become a broker in NJ first: completing a broker course satisfies CE for the term in which you finish it (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.3(a)2).
- Keep your certificate. Providers must give you a Course Completion Certificate showing your name, the course name and number, the completion date, the credits and the provider's NJ ID number (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.8(a)).
Which courses don't count, online or not?
These can't be approved as CE (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.12(d)):
- salesperson pre-licensing courses
- exam prep or review courses for the broker or salesperson exam
- general office and business skills such as typing, computer training, the internet, generic software, speed reading, memory improvement, report writing, salesmanship and sales psychology.
The same approved course can't be counted more than once in a license term (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.3(c)). And a class your local board offers doesn't count unless it's an approved course (or was pending approval when it started) (NJREC CE FAQs).
When will online credits show up on your record?
Providers report completions to the Commission or its designee weekly (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.8(d)). NJREC says to allow about 10 business days for completed CE to move from the provider to the Commission (NJREC CE). Don't leave your last online course until the final days before the April 30, 2027 deadline for the current term.
If you've lapsed past renewal, see reinstating an expired NJ license. If an employer or another state asks for proof of your license status, that's a separate request; see getting a NJ license certification or history. If you're not licensed yet, CE comes later. Business Elementary's 75-hour pre-licensing course is the first step.
Sources
- N.J.A.C. 11:5-12 (continuing education), as amended by R.2026 d.020, effective Jan 20, 2026 (58 N.J.R. 819-822): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/proposed/aa260120njac11_5.pdf
- NJREC, Continuing Education FAQs: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/continuingeducation/faqs.htm
- NJREC, Continuing Education requirements: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/online_Instructions/ce.html
- PSI, NJ Real Estate CE tracking system: https://njrece.psiexams.com/
Last reviewed: October 30, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a live Zoom CE class count as an online course in NJ?
Yes. The rule's definition of an online course includes webinars and video conferencing, provided the course and provider are approved (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.2).
Can I complete all 12 NJ CE credits online?
The rules allow approved courses to be offered in person or online, and we found no in-person minimum in N.J.A.C. 11:5-12 (12.12(c)). You still need the right mix of core and elective credits.
Do online CE courses from another state count in New Jersey?
Only if the course is in an elective topic and has also been submitted, approved and assigned a NJ CE course approval number by the Commission (NJREC CE FAQs).
Why did my online CE course log me out for inactivity?
Online courses must have a time-out for inactivity, so students aren't credited when they aren't actively taking part (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.14(b)7).
Do CE courses on CD or by mail count in NJ?
Not as online courses. The definition excludes CD-ROM, disk and correspondence offerings (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.2).