Licensed jobs in New Jersey
New Jersey: 7 occupations, 11 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in New Jersey
New Jersey licenses 7 of the 7 occupations below at the state level. General contractors have the most levels here (6 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist-Hairstylist (cosmetology and hairstyling license) 3 credentials in all | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | Training 1,200 clock hours1 | $901 | Every 2 years1 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 2 credentials in all | DORES | – | $303 | Every 5 years3 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Professional Nurse single-state license 2 credentials in all | New Jersey Board of Nursing | – | $755 | Every 2 years5 |
| Plumber | Journeyman Plumber (registration) 4 credentials in all | State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers | Training 4 years7 | $757 | – |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide (Nurse Aide in Long-Term Care Facilities) 2 credentials in all | NJDOH | Training 90 clock hours8 | – | Every 2 years9 |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 4 credentials in all | REC | Training 75 clock hours10 | $16011 | Every 2 years12 |
| General contractor | Home Improvement Contractor registration (NJHIC#) 6 credentials in all | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs | – | $11014 | Every year15 |
Licensing boards
11 agencies issue the New Jersey licenses we cover:
- State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers: plumbers
- New Jersey Real Estate Commission (REC): real estate agents
- New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling: cosmetologists
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs: general contractors
- Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES): notaries
- New Jersey Board of Nursing: registered nurses
- New Jersey Department of Health, Assisted Living Program (NJDOH): nursing assistants
- New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH): nursing assistants
- New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Property Management and Construction (DPMC): general contractors
- Bureau of Homeowner Protection, New Home Warranty Program: general contractors
- Division of Wage and Hour Compliance (NJDOL): general contractors
Moving to New Jersey with a license
No New Jersey board we cover publishes a list of accepted states for the main license. The boards for notaries, plumbers and general contractors publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses12 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route4 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Interstate compact privilege and Military service members and spouses65 |
| Plumber | – |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement8 |
| Real estate agent | License by endorsement13 |
| General contractor | No reciprocity route15 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The New Jersey license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- N.J.A.C. 13:28 Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (board regulations PDF)New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (Division of Consumer Affairs)Dated February 26, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- 45:1-15.5New Jersey State Library (legislative history compilation of the enacted law)Dated January 17, 2014Checked November 7, 2026
- Notary Public Application HelpNew Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- New Jersey Notary Public ManualNew Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise ServicesDated September 14, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- N.J.A.C. 13:37 New Jersey Board of Nursing rulesNew Jersey Board of NursingDated January 16, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Nurse LicensureNew Jersey Board of NursingDated December 27, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- N.J.A.C. 13:32 State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (board-posted rule text)New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, State Board of Examiners of Master PlumbersDated April 5, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- Apply for a Certification (nurse aide)New Jersey Department of HealthDated August 14, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Renew or Replace a Certificate (nurse aide/PCA)New Jersey Department of HealthDated August 14, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- License requirementsNew Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Real Estate CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- License FeesNew Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Real Estate CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked QuestionsNew Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Real Estate CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Waiver of Education Criteria for SalespersonNew Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Real Estate CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Home Improvement Contractor Quick Start GuideNew Jersey Business Action Center, Department of StateChecked November 5, 2026
- L2023c237 legislative history: Home Improvement and Home Elevation Contractor Licensing Act, P.L.2023,…New Jersey State Library (State Law Library legislative history: P.L.2023, c.237 final text)Dated January 8, 2024Checked November 5, 2026