How to Become a Licensed Real Estate Instructor in NJ
The short answer: To teach New Jersey's pre-licensing courses, you need a real estate instructor license from the NJ Real Estate Commission. Only licensed instructors, plus limited guest lecturers, may teach them (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(k)). You must be at least 18 and meet the good-character standard. You also need a bachelor's degree (or broker experience instead), the 150 hours of broker pre-licensing education, a passing score of 75% on PSI's instructor exam and a one-day Commission seminar.
Here's each step, plus what it takes to keep the license and how teaching CE differs. For what students cover in the course itself, see the NJ 75-hour course guide.
Who can teach real estate courses in New Jersey?
No one other than a guest lecturer may teach the courses that satisfy NJ's licensing education requirement unless they're licensed as an instructor (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(k)). For live classes, whether in person or "live-remote," the rule also says (2.2(m)):
- at least one licensed instructor must be present at all sessions
- there can be no more than one instructor or guest lecturer per 60 students
- guest lecturers can teach no more than 25% of the required material.
Broker courses can be team-taught by up to three instructors, with one licensed instructor named as supervisor.
What are the basic requirements?
Under N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(k):
- Age and character. You must be at least 18 and show good moral character, including no conviction for the offenses listed in N.J.S.A. 45:15-12.1 and 45:1-21.5. Non-attorney applicants go through a criminal history check. See licensing with a criminal record for how those offenses work.
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. There are two exceptions: New Jersey brokers continuously licensed for the two years right before applying, and brokers from other states continuously licensed for the three years right before applying (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(k)2, via Cornell LII).
What education do you need?
The instructor education requirement is the broker pre-licensing education: a 90-hour general course plus two 30-hour courses, 150 hours in all (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.1(g)). You must finish it no more than one year before you pass the instructor exam and apply (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(k)3).
| Your situation | Education you need |
|---|---|
| Not a broker | All 150 hours |
| NJ broker for the last 2 years who completed the full 150 hours | Already satisfied |
| NJ broker for the last 2 years who didn't take the two 30-hour courses | The two 30-hour courses only |
| Out-of-state broker for the last 3 years | The two 30-hour courses only |
PSI's bulletin explains the paperwork. Your school records each course on a single School Certificate (Part A for the 90-hour course, Parts B and C for the 30-hour courses). The courses don't all have to be at the same school. When you're done, you send the Instructor School Certificate to the Commission, which sends your exam eligibility to PSI. Candidates who aren't using a waiver also submit a college transcript showing the bachelor's degree, or, for NJ attorneys, a certificate of good standing (PSI candidate bulletin).
The broker course rule says a broker candidate must hold a salesperson license when enrolling (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.1(c), as amended). If you don't hold a license, ask the Commission how that applies to instructor candidates before you enroll. PSI lists (609) 292-7272 ext. 50137 for instructor eligibility, seminar and fingerprint questions (PSI candidate bulletin).
What's on the instructor exam?
PSI gives the exam. It's built on the same national and New Jersey outline as the broker exam, plus a teaching section (PSI candidate bulletin):
| Salesperson | Instructor | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions (points) | 110 (110) | 120 (120) |
| Passing score | 70% (77 correct) | 75% (90 correct) |
| Time | 4 hours | 4 hours |
| NJ-specific items | 30 | 40 |
| Teaching items | None | 10 ("Instructional Methods and Techniques") |
The teaching section covers general adult education principles, class management, instructional techniques and evaluation of learning. The rule suggests independent study or courses from outside providers on teaching methods (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(k)4). For the general format and test-day rules, see the NJ real estate exam guide.
What happens after you pass?
- Attend the Commission seminar. Before the license is issued, you attend a seminar run by or for Commission staff on the Commission and licensing procedures. It lasts no more than one day (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(k)5).
- Apply. Instructor license applications are processed within three weeks of a complete application with fees (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.5(b)1).
- Teach at a licensed school. The license lets you teach. The courses themselves run through a Commission-licensed school (see how to check that a NJ real estate school is licensed).
How do you keep the license?
- Term. School and instructor licenses run for two years, from March 1 to the last day of February of odd-numbered years (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(a)1).
- Renewal seminar. To renew, you attend a Commission-sponsored seminar on current NJ brokerage practices, offered during the second year of each term. Instructors first licensed in the last six months of a term skip it for their first renewal (2.2(l)2).
- Lapses. If you go more than two years past expiration without renewing, you must requalify from scratch. There's a narrow exception for people who were working for a NJ public agency on real estate matters (2.2(l)3).
Can you also teach continuing education?
Yes, but CE instructors are approved separately. Licensed instructors are deemed approved to teach CE core topics once the Commission assigns them a CE instructor ID number. Other people can apply if they meet at least one listed qualification, such as three years' experience in a related real estate field, or membership in the NJ bar working in real estate law (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.10).
If you also hold an active salesperson or broker license, you still need your own CE. You get credit for teaching an approved course, but only the same credits a student would earn (NJREC CE FAQs). See NJ CE requirements.
Most instructors start out as students. If that's where you are, Business Elementary's 75-hour pre-licensing course is the first step.
Sources
- N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.1, 2.2 and 2.5, as amended by R.2026 d.020, effective Jan 20, 2026 (58 N.J.R. 808-811): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/proposed/aa260120njac11_5.pdf
- N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2 (unchanged (k)2 exceptions; via Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-2-2
- N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.1 (broker course structure; via Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-2-1
- N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.10 (CE instructors; via Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-12-10
- PSI, New Jersey Candidate Information Bulletin (Salesperson, Broker and Instructor; updated 2/1/2026): https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/1667
- NJREC, Continuing Education FAQs: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/continuingeducation/faqs.htm
Last reviewed: October 30, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What score do you need to pass the NJ real estate instructor exam?
75%, which is 90 correct out of 120 points, with 4 hours allowed (PSI candidate bulletin).
Do you need a bachelor's degree to teach real estate in NJ?
Yes, unless you've been a NJ broker for the two years right before applying, or a broker in another state for the three years right before applying (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(k)2).
Can a guest speaker teach part of the NJ 75-hour course?
Yes, at the instructor's discretion, but guest lecturers can't cover more than 25% of the required material, and a licensed instructor must be present at every session (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(m)).
When do NJ real estate instructor licenses expire?
On the last day of February of each odd-numbered year. The term runs two years from March 1 (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(a)1).
Can a licensed NJ instructor teach CE courses automatically?
For core topics, yes, once the Commission assigns a CE instructor ID number (N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.10(b)).