What Is a NJ Referral Agent License and Who Is It For?
The short answer: A New Jersey referral agent holds a license that only allows them to refer prospects to the broker who holds their license. With that broker's OK, they can also refer to another licensee. The Real Estate Commission's rules, as amended January 20, 2026, call this license a "salesperson (referral)." A referral agent is paid only through their own broker. They can't show homes, negotiate, hold open houses or prepare CMAs (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.10, as amended). To get the license, you complete the same pre-licensing education and pass the same exam as a salesperson (NJREC referral agent FAQ). Referral agents don't need continuing education to renew as referral agents. (For how this license compares with salesperson and broker licenses, see agent vs REALTOR® vs broker.)
What is a "real estate referral company"?
It's how the license is structured. A broker sets up a referral company as a business entity separate from the brokerage, which the broker supervises. Its purpose is to employ or contract salespersons who only refer prospects to that broker. A salesperson (referral) is someone licensed through such a company whose brokerage activity is limited to referrals (N.J.A.C. 11:5-1.3 definitions, as amended). The state statute describes the same limit: refer only to the supervising broker and be paid only by that broker (N.J.S.A. 45:15-3).
Because the license runs through a broker's referral company, ask any brokerage you're considering whether it has one.
What can a referral agent do?
Two things (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.10(a)):
- Point people to public information, such as websites and other generally available sources about real estate.
- Refer prospects who want to buy, sell, exchange, lease or rent to the broker through whom they're licensed. If that broker authorizes it, they can refer to another licensee. In that case, they must give written or electronic notice to the broker (or the broker's designee) when they make the referral.
All pay for referrals comes from the referral agent's own broker (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.10(a); N.J.S.A. 45:15-16). NJREC's older FAQ says referrals go only to your own broker. The current rule allows the authorized-referral option above, so follow your broker's written policy.
What can't a referral agent do?
The rule lists prohibited activities. A referral agent can't do them or be paid for them (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.10(d)):
- negotiate a purchase, sale, exchange or lease, or sign contracts or leases
- negotiate commissions, or negotiate or sign listing or buyer agreements
- collect rent or hold other people's money
- conduct showings or open houses
- present specific properties at expos or marketing shows
- give out listing information beyond what's publicly available
- prepare comparative market analyses or similar studies
- negotiate or direct a closing, negotiate a mortgage, or run an auction
A referral agent also can't be licensed with more than one broker at a time. They can't hold a salesperson, broker-salesperson or broker license at the same time as the referral license (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.10(b), (c)).
How do you get a referral license?
The path is the same as for a salesperson until the application:
- Education and exam. Complete the pre-licensing course and pass the salesperson (or broker) exam (NJREC FAQ). For most people that's the 75-hour course. Applicants must be at least 18 and certify a high school education or equivalent (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.6).
- Fingerprinting. Salesperson referral candidates complete the same background check as other applicants, in time to apply before their exam eligibility runs out (NJREC fingerprinting; our fingerprinting guide).
- Choose referral on the application. You indicate it on the exam pass notice/license application (NJREC FAQ).
- Certifications. The sponsoring broker certifies that you've both reviewed the legal limits on a referral agent's activities. On an initial application, you sign the same certification (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.7(b), (c)).
The Commission's fee schedule lists salesperson and salesperson (referral) licenses together: $160 for the initial license and $100 to renew (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.14). Already licensed as a salesperson or broker-salesperson? You can switch to referral through your broker online. NJREC lists a $50 change fee for an active license (NJREC FAQ).
What are the advertising and business card rules?
- Business cards must show you're licensed with a referral company by using "salesperson (referral)," "real estate salesperson licensed with a real estate referral company," or "referral associate" (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.1(e)).
- All other ads must include, clearly and conspicuously: "Services limited to referring prospects to broker." (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.1(t))
- No overstating. Ads can't state or imply you can do more than refer (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.1(s)).
The general rules still apply too, such as showing your licensed name and your broker's business name. Our social media rules guide covers those.
Do referral agents need continuing education?
Not to renew as a referral agent. Instead, the broker reviews the activity limits with the referral agent at initial licensing and at each renewal, and certifies that to the Commission (NJREC FAQ). Salespersons and brokers have their own CE requirements; see our CE guide.
What if you want to become a full salesperson later?
It depends on your history. For someone who was never licensed as a salesperson or broker, the rule sets these steps (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.15):
| Time licensed as a referral agent | What it takes to become a salesperson |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | No continuing education required |
| 1 to 6 years | 24 hours of core CE, completed within the prior 2 years |
| More than 6 years | The pre-licensing course and the State exam again |
People who held a salesperson or broker license before have a separate schedule in the same rule.
Who is a referral license a good fit for?
Our take: it suits people who know a lot of buyers and sellers but don't want to practice real estate. Think of someone who stepped back to retire, someone raising kids, or someone with a full-time job in another field. It's not a fit if you want to show homes, write offers or hold open houses. For that, you need a full salesperson license (see part-time agents).
Remember why the license exists: in New Jersey, getting paid to find buyers or sellers is brokerage activity that needs a license (what requires a license).
Both licenses start with the same pre-licensing education. Business Elementary's 75-hour course is one way to complete it.
Sources
- N.J.A.C. 11:5 amendments effective Jan 20, 2026 (R.2026 d.020; 11:5-1.3, 3.6, 3.7, 3.14, 3.15, 6.1(e), (s), (t), 6.10): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/proposed/aa260120njac11_5.pdf
- NJ Real Estate Commission, Referral Agent Licensing FAQs: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/referralagent.htm
- NJ Real Estate Commission, Fingerprinting: https://nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/fingerprint.html
- N.J.S.A. 45:15-3 and 45:15-16 (Justia): https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-45/section-45-15-3/ ; https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-45/section-45-15-16/
Last reviewed: November 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a referral agent be paid directly by another brokerage?
No. All compensation for referrals is paid by the broker through whom the referral agent is licensed (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.10(a)).
Can a referral agent host an open house or show a home?
No. Showings and open house presentations are on the rule's list of prohibited activities (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.10(d)).
Is the exam different for a referral license?
No. You complete the salesperson (or broker) pre-licensing education and pass that license exam, then choose referral on your application (NJREC FAQ).
Can I hold a referral license and a salesperson license at the same time?
No. No one can be licensed as a salesperson (referral) and as a salesperson, broker-salesperson or broker at the same time (N.J.A.C. 11:5-6.10(c)).