I left NJ in 2007 but at that time and for many years NJ did have a permit system. I would check the NJ Fish and Wildlife website. It was pretty simple, a hobbyist permit was $10. They wanted an update every time you bought and sold an animal but I would just send in a annual update when I renewed my permit. At a certain point I was asked to get a Dealer permit which was $100 but I had approx. 50 - 75 snakes at the time. I moved before I started selling so I called and they let me keep the hobbyist permit.