NJAR® Applauds Bill Establishing Continuing Education for Real Estate Licensees
Edison, NJ – June 4, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — The New Jersey Association of REALTORS® (NJAR®) today voiced its enthusiastic support for legislation establishing continuing education requirements for real estate licensees. As a means of increasing consumer protections and encouraging the use of the most up-to-date educational tools by real estate licensees, the bill requires real estate brokers, broker-salespersons and salespersons to complete continuing education requirements as a condition for license renewal.”REALTORS® are steadfastly committed to professional development and we are eager for continuing education as a requirement for license renewal to be implemented here in the Garden State,” said NJAR® Executive Vice President Jarrod C. Grasso, RCE. “Staying on top of changing laws and trends is of utmost importance in today’s complex real estate market. This legislation provides educational opportunities that will expand and enhance the sales, marketing and customer service skills of all New Jersey real estate licensees.”
The bill, A-3099/S-2068, sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney states that no more than 16 continuing education hours will be required as a condition for license renewal. The measure provides that, upon the approval of an appointed advisory panel, continuing education courses may be delivered in a classroom setting or via the Internet, distance learning, correspondence and video. With proof of completion and prior approval by the advisory committee, the bill also allows continuing education credits received in other states for “elective” courses to be counted towards a licensee’s continuing education requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes referral agents as a new type of real estate licensee who is not subject to the continuing education requirements as long as the licensee stays within the limited service category.
“On behalf of NJAR®‘s approximately 50,000 members, I would like to thank Majority Leaders Watson Coleman and Sweeney for their sponsorship of this important legislation,” added Grasso. “Having partnered with the real estate industry in the development of this bill, they have introduced a commonsense measure that will benefit both consumers and licensees.”
The Assembly Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee today unanimously voted in support of the bill. The measure now heads to the full New Jersey General Assembly for further consideration.
Grasso concluded, “NJAR® is extremely pleased to see the bill advance in the General Assembly and we look forward to working with Senator Gill to have this legislation posted for a hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee.”
The New Jersey Association of REALTORS®, with approximately 50,000 REALTOR® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® members, is one of the largest trade organizations in the state. NJAR®‘s membership is comprised of real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and are members of the national and local REALTOR® organizations. As the leading advocate for the real estate industry and private property rights in New Jersey, NJAR® is committed to protecting the dream of homeownership. For more information, please visit www.njar.com.
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For media inquiries contact:
Lauren Castellano
Media Coordinator
Phone: (732) 494-4709
Fax: (732) 404-8130
E-mail: lcastellano (at) njar (dot) com
For legislative related media inquiries contact:
Danielle Alpert
Government Relations Coordinator
Phone: (732) 494-4730
Fax: (732) 404-8127
E-mail: dalpert (at) njar (dot) com
