Reinstating an Expired or Inactive NJ Real Estate License
The short answer: If your NJ salesperson license wasn't renewed, you can reinstate it within two years after the expiration date of your last license. You'll need proof that you completed the continuing education for the preceding license term, an employing broker to sponsor the application, and a $150 reinstatement fee ($250 for a broker-salesperson). After two years, you must attend a licensed school and pass the state exam again (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9; NJREC fees).
This is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, call the Real Estate Commission's Licensing Services Bureau at (609) 292-7272.
Is your license inactive or expired?
People use the words loosely, but they lead to different paperwork:
| Situation | What it means | How you get back to work |
|---|---|---|
| Inactive / terminated during a license term | You resigned from or left your broker, and the broker terminated your license | A new broker transfers it online; the transfer fee is $25 (NJREC FAQ, Q3) |
| Unrenewed (expired) | The license term ended and the license wasn't renewed, often because CE wasn't finished | Reinstatement, explained below |
| Unrenewed for 2+ years | More than two years have passed since the last license expired | Licensed school and the state exam again (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9(e)) |
The Commission's FAQ sums up the time limit: a license "can be inactive for 2 years after the expiration date of the last license issued," and reinstatement must be completed by a currently licensed employing broker (NJREC FAQ, Q11). For the current term, licenses expire June 30, 2027 (NJREC CE).
What does reinstatement within two years require?
- Finish the CE. State law makes proof of the CE required for your license type in the preceding term a condition of reinstatement (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9(c)). For a salesperson, that's 12 hours with the required core topics (NJREC CE). The application asks you to confirm that you've completed it (reinstatement application).
- Line up an employing broker. The broker signs the application and certifies that you're authorized to apply under their supervision (application). You'll also need a signed written broker-salesperson agreement, since both you and the broker certify that one exists (N.J.A.C. 11:5-4.1). Our guide to finding a sponsoring broker covers that search.
- Show citizenship or legal presence to the broker. The application asks for a copy of a birth certificate or U.S. passport, or a Form I-551 (green card).
- Answer the background questions. These cover convictions since your last license, pending charges or PTI enrollment, actions against other professional licenses, child-support arrears, and any other state licenses. "Yes" answers need details and copies of the documents.
- Pay the fee. It's $150 for a salesperson and $250 for a broker-salesperson, payable to "The State Treasurer of New Jersey" by broker business check, cashier's or certified check, or money order. Personal checks, cash and credit cards aren't accepted, and a dishonored payment can bring a $500 administrative penalty (application; NJREC fees).
Until the Commission approves it, you can't do any brokerage work. The broker's certification on the form says so in capital letters (application).
What if it's been more than two years?
For salespersons, the statute is blunt. If you haven't renewed or obtained a new license for two consecutive years or more after your last license expired, you must attend a licensed school and pass the state exam before you can be licensed again (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9(e)). In practice, that means the 75-hour course and the PSI exam.
The statute has two narrow exceptions:
- Medical inability. The Commission may, in its discretion, approve relicensure if you show you were medically unable to renew. You'd still have to pass the salesperson exam and complete the preceding term's CE.
- Public-agency employment. The rule doesn't apply if your license lapsed because you took a NJ public-agency job dealing with real estate matters, and you reapply within one year after that job ends.
Are the rules different for brokers?
Yes, and stricter. Under N.J.S.A. 45:15-9(d), a broker or broker-salesperson whose license has lapsed:
| Time since last license expired | What's required before a new broker license |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 years | Reinstatement, with the preceding term's CE (subsection c) |
| More than 2 but less than 5 years | Salesperson CE for the preceding term, one full year working full-time as a licensed salesperson, the broker exam, and the 90-hour general broker course |
| More than 5 years | The salesperson exam, three years full-time as a salesperson, all first-time broker education, and the broker exam |
The full broker path is in our broker license guide.
What else lapses with the license?
- Your LLC registration, if you have one. A Commission-registered entity expires if you fail to reinstate in time, and after reinstatement you must register it again before you can be paid through it (N.J.A.C. 11:5-3.16(e)). See being paid through an LLC.
- Referral agents follow their own rules. Salespersons licensed with a referral company don't need CE to renew as referral agents, but moving to a full salesperson license can require up to 30 hours of CE. Someone who was never licensed as a full salesperson and has been a referral agent for more than six years needs the pre-licensing course and the state exam instead (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9(f)–(g)).
How do you avoid needing reinstatement?
Finish CE early. For the current term, the CE deadline is April 30, 2027, late compliance costs $200, and credits don't carry over (NJREC CE). Renewal notices go to your employing broker's office (NJREC FAQ, Q14), so confirm your status with your broker before the deadline. Our CE and renewal guide covers the details.
If you're past the two-year line and starting over, the 75-hour course comes first. Business Elementary's 75-hour pre-licensing course page explains how it works.
Sources
- N.J.S.A. 45:15-9 (via Justia): https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-45/section-45-15-9/
- NJREC, Salesperson or Broker-Salesperson Application for Reinstatement/Transfer or Change of Name (form rev. 06/14/2018): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/forms/salesbrreinstatement.pdf ; forms page: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/recforms.htm
- NJREC Real Estate FAQs (Q3, Q11, Q14): https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/recfaqs.htm
- NJREC Real Estate License Fees: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/recfees.htm
- NJREC continuing education requirements: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_rec/licensing/online_Instructions/ce.html
- N.J.A.C. 11:5-4.1 and 11:5-3.16 (via Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-4-1 ; https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-5-3-16
Last reviewed: October 28, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a NJ real estate license be inactive?
Up to two years after the expiration date of the last license issued (NJREC FAQ, Q11). After that, salespersons must attend a licensed school and pass the state exam again (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9(e)).
How much does it cost to reinstate a NJ salesperson license?
$150 ($250 for a broker-salesperson) (NJREC fees).
Do I need CE to reinstate?
Yes. You must show you completed the CE for your license type for the preceding term (N.J.S.A. 45:15-9(c)).
Can I reinstate without a broker?
No. A currently licensed employing broker completes and signs the application (NJREC FAQ, Q11).
Can I work while my reinstatement is pending?
No. You can't do brokerage work until the Commission authorizes it (application).