Do licensed prelicensure schools have to apply again to offer CE?

No. Once they receive a CE provider identification number, licensed prelicensure schools are deemed approved providers without filing the provider application or paying the provider fee ([11:5-12.6(b)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-12-6)).

When do current NJ CE provider approvals expire?

NJREC's chart lists the first/original provider expiration as June 30, 2028, then every four years after that. Confirm the live chart before you rely on a date ([NJREC chart](https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/online_Instructions/pdf/applicationapprovalyearexpdate260209.pdf)).

How long must a CE provider keep attendance records?

Six years, and providers must be able to produce them for a Commission inspection ([N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.8(b)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-12-8)).

Is approving a CE course the same as approving a provider?

No. Providers, instructors and courses each have their own applications on the NJREC CE page. Course approvals follow a separate multi-year schedule on the Bureau chart.

Becoming an Approved NJ Real Estate CE Provider

Q: How much is the NJ CE provider application fee?

$300, and it is non-refundable ([N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.6(a)1](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-12-6)). Public adult education programs and public accredited colleges/universities that apply under the deemed-approval path do not pay that fee ([12.6(c)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-12-6)).

The short answer: To become an approved New Jersey real estate continuing education provider, you file the Commission's provider application with a $300 non-refundable fee, name your official business (and any trade name), describe the course delivery types you will offer, designate a New Jersey continuing education coordinator, and list in-person locations if you will teach in a classroom (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.6(a)). Some schools are deemed approved without that application; everyone who runs CE still owes the ongoing duties in 11:5-12.7 and 12.8.

This page is about providers. Licensee CE hour rules stay on NJ CE requirements. People who teach CE have a separate instructor path (instructor license guide).

Forms and fees change. Confirm current packets on the NJREC CE applications page before you mail anything.

Who must apply, and who is deemed approved?

Must apply (with the $300 fee): ordinary businesses and schools that are not already covered by a deemed-approval rule (11:5-12.6(a)).

Deemed approved once they receive a CE provider identification number, without filing the provider application or paying the provider fee (11:5-12.6(b)):

Real estate prelicensure schools licensed under N.J.S.A. 45:15-10.4 and N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2
The New Jersey Real Estate Commission itself

Public adult education programs and accredited colleges and universities are deemed approved upon application; public adult education programs and public accredited colleges/universities do not pay the application fee (11:5-12.6(c)).

If the Commission disapproves an applicant, it must put the reasons in a written notice (11:5-12.6(d)).

How long does provider approval last?

After June 30, 2016, approvals expire on a four-year cycle. NJREC's Education Bureau chart lists the current provider (and instructor) first/original expiration as June 30, 2028, then every four years after that (NJREC approval-year chart; 11:5-12.6(e)). Re-approval uses the same section requirements, including the non-refundable fee. Applications for re-approval may be submitted starting January 1 of the year approval is scheduled to expire.

Courses are approved on a different clock (generally five years from the original approval year on the Bureau chart)—do not confuse course expiration with provider expiration.

What goes in the application?

Under 11:5-12.6(a) the packet includes:

Item	Why it matters
$300 non-refundable fee	Payable as the Commission directs (NJREC: State Treasurer of New Jersey; no personal checks or cash on the CE apps page)
Official business name + trade/alternate names	What appears on CE records
Course delivery types	In-person, distance learning, and which distance formats
CE coordinator name, phone, email	Primary Commission contact
In-person addresses and facility description	Required if you will teach live

NJREC posts separate Word applications and PDF guides for providers, instructors and courses, and notes that applications can be completed online but must be printed and mailed with the fee (CE applications page).

How is a CE provider different from a CE instructor?

A provider is the school or company that sponsors and reports the course. An instructor is the person approved to teach it. NJREC posts separate applications for each, and instructors have their own four-year approval cycle on the same Bureau chart (CE applications page). Prelicensure instructor licensing is a different credential again—see how to become a licensed instructor.

Live classrooms must be appropriate for learning, free of excessive distractions, segregated from solicitation directed at attendees, and compliant with local, state and federal facility rules (11:5-12.7(c)). Commission representatives may attend an in-person course or review a distance course at no cost (12.7(f)).

What duties does an approved provider have?

Supervision and quality (11:5-12.7): general supervision of CE courses; ensure each course and instructor is Commission-approved; ensure the instructor knows the subject; collect and report evaluations; keep records; make sure offerings meet the subchapter (including appropriate facilities). Notify the Commission in writing before changes in business name(s), coordinator or contact info, business phone, or material changes such as classroom location.

Before taking a student's money (12.7(e)): give a pre-registration notice stating credits, core vs elective, fees, refund policy, subject matter, learning objectives, and completion requirements.

Identity and attendance (12.7(d)): verify who attended a live course (photo ID and pocket card are expressly allowed methods) or who completed a distance course.

Certificates, records and weekly reporting (11:5-12.8): issue a completion certificate with the licensee's name, course name, completion date, CE course number, credits and provider ID; keep required records six years; electronically submit completion data weekly to the Commission or its designee (today that workflow runs through PSI's CE portal linked from the NJREC page). Report strongly negative evaluation patterns within 30 days of offering a course (12.8(i)).

Elective vs core choices for licensees are covered in choosing NJ CE electives; online delivery questions for licensees are on NJ CE online.

Provider rules are part of how New Jersey keeps license education accountable. Business Elementary's 75-hour pre-licensing course is separate from CE-provider approval, but the same Commission education framework sits behind both.

Sources

N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.6 (Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-12-6
N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.7 (Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-12-7
N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.8 (Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-12-8
NJREC Continuing Education Information and Applications: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/continuingeducation/applications.htm
NJREC CE Application Approval Year and Expiration Dates chart: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/online_Instructions/pdf/applicationapprovalyearexpdate260209.pdf

Last reviewed: November 7, 2026