Can You Take the NJ Real Estate Course Before You Turn 18?
The short answer: Possibly, but check with the school and watch the calendar. New Jersey's age rule applies when you take the exam and apply for your license: a salesperson applicant must be at least 18 (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.6(a), as amended Jan 20, 2026), and the exam's screening questions ask whether you're over 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent on the date of the examination (NJREC). The Commission's school rules we reviewed don't set a minimum age for enrolling in the 75-hour course, so that's up to each school's policy.
The real catch is timing. Finishing the course starts a one-year clock, and you can't use that year until you're 18 and have your diploma.
Which rules apply at each step?
| Step | Age or education rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Enroll in the 75-hour course | No student minimum age found in the Commission's school rules; ask the school | N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.1 and 2.2, as amended |
| Take the PSI exam | Screening questions ask about being over 18 and having a diploma or equivalent on the exam date | NJREC exam notice |
| Apply for the license | At least 18; certify a high school education or equivalency | N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.6(a), (d) |
The rules do set age minimums for school directors and instructors, at 18. They're silent on students. Because a school can set its own admission policy, ask before you pay. If you're unsure how the Commission views your situation, call NJREC at (609) 292-7272.
Why does finishing the course early matter?
Because of the one-year deadline. When you complete the course, your school sends your exam eligibility to PSI. That eligibility expires one year to the day from the date it's issued, and you must pass the exam and apply for your license before then (PSI candidate bulletin).
If you don't make it, you have to retake both the prelicensure course and the state exam (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.6(c)). NJREC's fingerprinting page describes the same one-year window from course completion (NJREC).
So every month you spend waiting to turn 18 or to graduate after finishing the course is a month taken out of your year.
How do you work out a sensible start date?
Work backward from two dates: your 18th birthday and the day you'll have your diploma or equivalent. The later of those two is the earliest you can sit for the exam. Here's a made-up example:
| Event | Date (example only) |
|---|---|
| Finish the 75-hour course | March 10, 2027 |
| Graduate from high school | June 2027 |
| Turn 18 | August 1, 2027 |
| Earliest exam date | August 1, 2027 |
| Eligibility expires | March 10, 2028 |
In this example, the student has a little over seven months after their birthday to pass the exam, get fingerprinted, join a sponsoring broker and file the application. If they finished the course in October 2026 instead, the window would be under three months, which is tight if a retake is needed.
A course that ends close to or after your 18th birthday and graduation gives you the full year.
What else has to happen inside that year?
After you pass, you still need to:
- Get fingerprinted through the state's vendor (NJREC fingerprinting).
- Find a sponsoring broker. You apply through an employing broker, and the employment date can't be before your exam date (PSI candidate bulletin). Our sponsoring broker guide covers how to choose one.
- Submit the full application before the eligibility date on your score report.
Our licensing timeline walks through these steps in order.
What should you ask a school before enrolling?
- Do you enroll students under 18? It's the school's call.
- When would I finish? Compare the end date with your birthday and graduation. See how many weeks the 75-hour course takes.
- What's the attendance rule? You need a passing grade and at least 80% attendance to get credit (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(s)).
- What's the refund policy? Tuition and fees must be in a student contract that states the school's policy on returning unearned tuition if you withdraw or are dismissed (N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.2(o)). Our refund policy guide explains what to look for.
For the full list of who qualifies, see NJ license requirements. When the timing works for you, Business Elementary's 75-hour pre-licensing course is one option.
Sources
- N.J.A.C. 11:5-2.1, 2.2 and 3.6, as amended by R.2026 d.020, effective Jan 20, 2026: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/proposed/aa260120njac11_5.pdf
- NJREC, Real Estate License Examination screening questions notice: https://nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/reclicexam.htm
- NJREC, License Candidate Fingerprinting: https://nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/fingerprint.html
- NJREC, Real Estate FAQs: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/recfaqs.htm
- PSI New Jersey Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 2/1/2026): https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/1667
Last reviewed: October 30, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 17-year-old take the NJ real estate exam?
Plan on no. NJREC says the exam's screening questions ask whether you're over 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent on the date of the exam (NJREC).
Does a GED count for a NJ real estate license?
Yes. The rule requires a high school education "or equivalency," and the Commission may ask for proof (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.6(d)).
Do I need my diploma before I start the course?
The Commission's school rules we reviewed don't require it. The diploma or equivalent matters on the exam date and when you apply for the license (NJREC; N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.6(d)). Ask the school about its own admission policy.
Can I start studying for the exam before I turn 18?
Yes. Nothing in the rules stops you from studying, and PSI's candidate bulletin publishes the exam's content outline for anyone to read (PSI candidate bulletin). Our state portion study guide is a good place to start.