How Much Does a NJ Real Estate License Cost? Every Fee Explained

The short answer: The state-set costs for a New Jersey salesperson license are a $160 initial license fee (NJREC fees) and $66.05 for fingerprinting (NJREC fingerprinting). On top of those you'll pay PSI's exam fee for each attempt and your school's tuition for the 75-hour course. Once you're licensed, renewal is $100 every two years.

Here's every fee, who you pay, and how to avoid paying the same fee twice. For the full licensing process, see our complete guide to getting a NJ real estate license.

What fees do you pay to get licensed?

  • 75-hour pre-licensing course: set by your school, paid to your school.
  • PSI state exam: check PSI's current fee on PSI's NJ portal. Paid to PSI.
  • Fingerprinting and background check: $66.05, paid to IDEMIA (NJREC).
  • Initial salesperson license: $160, paid to the State Treasurer of NJ (NJREC fees).

What's included in the $160 license fee?

The $160 is three charges combined: a $100 license fee, a $50 application fee and a $10 Real Estate Guaranty Fund fee (PSI candidate bulletin; N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.14). It doesn't include the fingerprint fee, which you pay separately to the vendor.

How to pay: a certified or cashier's check, money order, or broker's business account check made payable to the State Treasurer of New Jersey. Personal checks aren't accepted. An application paid with one is returned unprocessed (PSI candidate bulletin). Your sponsoring broker can also submit your application and payment online (NJREC online applications).

Disabled veterans: New Jersey residents with a VA disability certification who were honorably discharged may qualify for a waiver of the $100 salesperson license fee (PSI candidate bulletin). Contact NJREC at (609) 292-7272 for details.

How much is the fingerprinting fee?

$66.05, paid directly to IDEMIA, the state's Live Scan vendor, when you schedule. They accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, prepaid debit cards, and electronic debit from a checking account (NJREC fingerprinting). Details are in our fingerprinting and background check guide.

How much is the PSI exam?

You pay PSI when you register, for each attempt. Fees change, so check the current fee on PSI's New Jersey page when you book. Registration fees aren't refundable or transferable (PSI candidate bulletin), so pick a date you can keep. For format, scoring and test-day rules, see our NJ PSI real estate exam guide.

What about the 75-hour course?

Tuition is set by each school, and what's included varies (live instruction, practice exams, exam prep, materials). When you compare schools, look at what you're actually getting, not just the price. Make sure the school is licensed by NJREC (list of licensed schools via the NJREC FAQ).

Which fees catch people off guard?

These are the avoidable ones:

  • Missing or late-cancelling your PSI exam. You forfeit the exam fee if you don't cancel at least 2 days ahead, don't show up, arrive after the start time, or don't bring proper ID (PSI candidate bulletin).
  • Retaking the exam. Each attempt means paying PSI again.
  • Missing your fingerprint appointment. If you don't cancel by 5 p.m. the business day before, or you're turned away for wrong ID or the wrong form, IDEMIA charges $12.80 ($12 plus tax) (NJREC fingerprinting).
  • Letting your one-year eligibility lapse. Miss the deadline and you must complete all the requirements again, course included (NJREC FAQ). That's the most expensive mistake on this list. See how long it takes to get licensed.
  • PSI practice exams. PSI offers online practice exams, but you pay each time you take one (PSI candidate bulletin).

What does it cost to keep your license?

  • Salesperson renewal (every 2 years): $100 (NJREC fees)
  • Late CE processing fee (current term): $200 (NJREC CE)
  • Transfer to a new broker: $25 (NJREC fees)
  • Reinstating an unrenewed salesperson license: $150 (NJREC fees)
  • Name change: $50 (NJREC fees)

You'll also need 12 continuing education credit hours each two-year term, priced by CE providers. If you're first licensed in the second year of a term, you don't need CE for that first renewal (NJREC CE).

How do you keep costs down?

  • Pass the first time. Use practice exams during your course so you go into PSI ready.
  • Book fingerprints right after you pass, and bring the right ID and the completed Universal Form.
  • Line up your sponsoring broker early, so your paperwork goes in well before your deadline. See how to find a sponsoring broker.

What does a simple budget look like?

Start with the two state-set numbers, then fill in the rest:

  • Initial salesperson license: $160 (NJREC fees)
  • Fingerprinting: $66.05 (NJREC fingerprinting)
  • Fixed state costs so far: $226.05
  • PSI exam fee × the number of attempts you plan for: check PSI's current fee
  • 75-hour course tuition: from the school you choose
  • Optional: PSI's paid online practice exams (PSI candidate bulletin)

Keep a little room for a possible retake or a rescheduled appointment, and remember that renewal ($100) comes every two years once you're licensed (NJREC fees).

If you're ready to start the 75-hour course, Business Elementary teaches it live on Zoom: see the 75-hour course.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 26, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the $160 license fee refundable?

NJREC's fee page doesn't describe refunds. Ask NJREC at (609) 292-7272 before you submit if you're unsure (NJREC fees).

Can I pay the license fee with a personal check?

No. Use a certified or cashier's check, money order, or broker's business account check (PSI candidate bulletin).

Do I have to pay for fingerprinting again if I was fingerprinted for another job?

Yes. NJREC says you must go through the process again, because criminal history results can only be used for the purpose they were requested for (NJREC fingerprinting).

How often do I pay to renew?

Every two years. Salesperson renewal is $100 (NJREC fees).

Is there a fee to switch brokerages?

Yes, a $25 transfer fee (NJREC fees).