How To Become a NJ Real Estate Agent
Becoming a New Jersey real estate agent is no easy feat. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get there, but it’s not impossible. Follow these steps to help you on your way:
- Get an education in real estate at an accredited college or university. You can also get this education through the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC). This will give you the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful agent.
- Pass the broker’s exam by taking it through the NJREC. This is required for anyone looking to become a licensed real estate agent in New Jersey.
- Apply for your license with the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJREC). Once you’ve completed these steps and passed your exam, you’ll be ready to start working as a real estate agent!
How To Become Nj Real Estate Agent
Becoming a real estate agent in New Jersey is a career that professionals can pursue immediately after high school. Many people consider this a viable career path because they can get their licenses quickly, earn money effectively and avoid the costs of a college education. Knowing how to become a real estate agent in New Jersey can help you decide if this is the right career for you.
In this article, we discuss eight steps you can follow to become a New Jersey real estate agent, including what a real estate agent does, their annual average salary in New Jersey and the requirements for licensure.
Let employers find you when you create an Indeed Resume
What is a New Jersey real estate agent?
A real estate agent is a professional who holds a real estate license and represents people who want to buy or sell property through real estate transactions. They have duties such as marketing a property, creating a network of clients, writing blogs, generating traffic to their websites and scheduling property showings.
They may also have responsibilities such as coordinating and monitoring open houses, interviewing buyers to understand what they want from a property and arranging meetings with buyers and sellers. Finally, real estate agents may prepare paperwork, create lists of potential properties to monitor and maintain professional relationships. A real estate agent in New Jersey makes an average annual salary of $83,696 per year.
For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the link provided.
Read more: Learn About Being a Real Estate Agent
Top job searches near you
How to become a real estate agent in New Jersey
Below are steps you can follow to become a New Jersey real estate agent:
1. Graduate from high school
To become a real estate agent in New Jersey, the first step is to graduate from high school. In New Jersey, there isn’t a requirement to have a college degree such as an associate or bachelor’s so you can begin preparing for your career near your high school graduation. If possible, take classes in math, technology and photography because those courses can help you earn skills that help you become a real estate agent. Math can help you calculate costs for properties, technology can help you market properties effectively and photography can help you document properties through photographs.
Related: Finding a Career for High School Students
2. Research the New Jersey real estate market
Before and after you graduate from high school and earn your diploma, you can begin researching the New Jersey real estate market. This allows you to understand the rewards and risks of pursuing a career as a real estate agent. Also, this can help you determine a path in real estate such as working with an agency or pursuing your own real estate business. You can additionally find courses, conferences and seminars to learn about being a real estate agent in New Jersey. Finally, it connects you with New Jersey real estate professionals.
Related: Real Estate Agent Skills: Definition, Examples and How To Improve
3. Complete 75 hours of pre-licensure courses
In New Jersey, there’s a required amount of coursework you need to attend. These 75 hours of pre-licensure learning must take place in a classroom setting in a school or institution approved by the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, an organization that regulates real estate in New Jersey, including real estate agents, agencies and other professionals and organizations in real estate in the state.
Read more: How To Get Your Real Estate License
4. Pass the licensing examination
After you complete your required education in real estate prior to your licensure, you have up to one year to take and pass the licensing examination. PSI Services, LLC administers this exam, which covers the lessons and knowledge you learn in your pre-licensure courses. You can prepare for this exam by taking notes during your coursework and reviewing them before your exam. You can also prepare for this exam by reviewing example questions and finding practice exams that emulate the same style of questions you might experience in the exam. Finally, rest before your exam and eat before the test.
Related: How To Take Notes
5. Complete fingerprinting and background checks
After you pass your licensure exam, a real estate agency, the New Jersey Real Estate Commission may ask you to complete fingerprinting and background checks that look into your employment and criminal histories. This is to ensure you are a reputable citizen in the United States and New Jersey and that they can trust you to uphold laws and regulations in the real estate industry. The background check may have associated fees and may occur at a location given to you or a nearby fingerprinting office, such as a police department.
Related: A Comprehensive Guide to Background Checks
6. Apply for a license
After you pass the background checks, fingerprinting and exams, you can apply for your real estate license. To do this, find a real estate broker willing to sponsor you through licensure. Even though you may not work for them permanently, this can help you make professional connections in the New Jersey real estate market and have professionals who vouch for your ability as a real estate agent, helping you receive your license. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance is the agency responsible for issuing real estate licenses, so you apply to them for approval.
Related: How To Get Your Real Estate License in 7 Steps
7. Satisfy the New Jersey Real Estate Commission’s requirements
Once you have your license, there may be a few extra requirements from the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, so completing those as quickly as possible can help you officially start your career as a real estate agent in New Jersey, These may include applying to the commission, passing additional background checks or fulfilling another education requirement. Once you complete these requirements, you’re officially a New Jersey real estate agent.
Related: Learn About Being a Real Estate Broker
8. Renew your real estate license as you need
Every few years, you may pursue continuing education to keep your skills updated. You also have to renew your license every three years for it to remain current. This may involve a retest of your skills and additional requirements from the New Jersey Real Estate Commission. Meeting these requirements before your license expires ensures you can continue working as a real estate agent in New Jersey.
