North Carolina Real Estate Broker License
Requirements, fees, and steps to upgrade to broker
Experience Requirements
No prior experience required for provisional broker license. New brokers start as Provisional Brokers under a Broker-In-Charge.
Alternative Pathways:
Provisional Brokers must work under a Broker-In-Charge who oversees all transactions and provides training.
Education Requirements
Complete 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course from a state-approved school with minimum 75% score.
Required Courses:
- 75-hour North Carolina Broker Prelicensing Course
Course certification valid for 3 years from completion. Provisional brokers must complete three 30-hour post-licensing courses within 18 months.
Broker Examination
Exam Name
North Carolina Real Estate Broker Examination
Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
140 questions: 80 national (2.5 hours) and 60 state-specific (2 hours)
Passing Score
75 on each section
Exam Fee
$63
Retake Policy
Retakes cost $53 per section. Must receive Notice of Examination Eligibility before scheduling.
Fees
| Application Fee | $105 |
| Examination Fee | $63 |
| Listed Fees | $168 |
Listed NCREC fees: application $105 + exam $63 = $168. The required criminal record report is a separate, variable cost; pre-licensing ($400-$700) and post-licensing ($250-$500) courses are excluded. Renewal is $50 annually.
North Carolina does not fingerprint; it requires a criminal record report whose cost varies (roughly $9-$50+). A $45 pre-determination petition is optional for criminal-history review. Cost is not certified here.
Timeline
Complete Prelicensing Course
Complete 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course
2-6 weeks
Submit Application
Submit license application with fee and documentation
1-2 weeks
Receive Eligibility Notice
NCREC determines eligibility and sends Notice of Examination Eligibility
1-2 weeks
Pass Examination
Contact testing service, schedule and pass the broker exam
1-2 weeks
Complete Post-Licensing
Complete three 30-hour post-licensing courses within 18 months
18 months
License Renewal
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 years
Renewal Fee
$50
CE Hours Required
8 hours
Online Renewal
Available
8 hours of continuing education required annually to maintain license.
Reciprocity Agreements
Out-of-state licensees active within the past 3 years may waive the 75-hour prelicensing course and the national exam portion, but must still pass the state exam section.
Quick Tools
Compare North Carolina
Not a Broker Yet?
Start with an agent license if you don't have the required experience.
North Carolina Agent License →