North Carolina Real Estate Agent License
Complete requirements guide for North Carolina
Pre-Licensing Education
Complete the 75-hour NCREC-approved Broker Prelicensing Course with end-of-course exam (minimum 75% passing score).
Required Courses (75 hours total):
- • North Carolina Broker Prelicensing Course (75 hours)
North Carolina uses 'Broker' terminology for what other states call salesperson/agent.
State Examination
Exam Name
North Carolina Real Estate Broker Examination
Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
National and State sections taken in same session, scored independently
Passing Score
Passing score required on both National and State sections
Exam Fee
$60
Retake Policy: Can retake individual sections for $50 each. Exam eligibility valid for 180 days.
Background Check
Type: Criminal record report for each state/country lived in past 7 years
Cost: $30
Sponsoring Broker
Must affiliate with a broker-in-charge to activate provisional broker license using form REC 2.08
Fee Breakdown
| Examination Fee | $60 |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Fingerprinting | $30 |
| Total Fees | $190 |
Does not include pre-licensing course costs. Post-licensing education (90 hours) required within 18 months.
License Renewal
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 years
Renewal Fee
$45
CE Required
8 hours
Online Renewal
Yes
8 hours annually by June 10: 4-hour General Update Course (or BIC Update for Broker-in-Charge) plus 4-hour elective
License Reciprocity
Out-of-state licensees with active license in past 3 years may waive 75-hour prelicensing course and National exam section. Must still pass State exam section.
North Carolina Real Estate Commission
- Official Website
- (919) 875-3700
- Apply Online
Helpful Tools
Upgrade to Broker
To become Broker-in-Charge: 2 years full-time (or 4 years part-time) experience in past 5 years, plus 12-hour BIC Course. No additional exam required.
- • 2 years experience required
- • 12 additional education hours
Last verified: 2026-01-12