Amato Bill Ensuring Modern and Proper Real Estate Education Signed into Law

July 31, 2026 - 04:23

A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Carmen Amato and Joseph Lagana has been signed into law, bringing significant changes to how real estate professionals are trained in New Jersey. The legislation, which updates decades-old requirements, mandates that licensees complete coursework covering modern industry practices, fair housing laws, and ethical standards.

Under the new law, aspiring agents must now take additional hours of instruction on topics like digital marketing, property management, and the legal use of technology in transactions. Continuing education courses will also be refreshed every two years to keep pace with changes in the market and state regulations.

Senator Amato stated that the old curriculum had not been meaningfully updated since the 1990s, leaving new agents unprepared for today's complex deals. Senator Lagana added that the changes aim to protect consumers by ensuring agents understand current disclosure rules and anti-discrimination laws.

The New Jersey Real Estate Commission will oversee the implementation of the new standards, which take effect for license renewals starting next year. Industry groups have praised the move, saying it will raise professionalism and reduce disputes. The law does not increase the total number of required education hours but restructures them to focus on practical, up-to-date knowledge.