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How to become a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina. 75 pre-license hours required. 2 years agent experience required. State broker exam required. Total initial fees: $754. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Broker
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
76% of data points are verified against official sources. 10 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
75 hrs
Pre-License Hours
2 yrs
Experience Required
Yes
Exam Required
8 hrs
CE Hours
$754
Total Fees
Permitted
Dual Agency
Broker Pre-License Education
Mostly verifiedPre-License Hours
75 hours
College Degree Required
No
Approved Providers
North Carolina-approved real estate schools, colleges, and online providers
Additional Broker Courses
Additional broker-specific courses in management, supervision, and advanced real estate topics required beyond salesperson education
Course Topics
Real estate broker education requirements include pre-license coursework covering topics such as real estate law, brokerage management, contracts, finance, and ethics. Some states require a college degree in addition to pre-license hours, while others accept equivalent experience.
Browse approved real estate broker training programs to find the right fit.
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Agent Experience & Transaction History
Mostly verifiedAgent Experience Required
Prior real estate sales agent experience
2 yrs
Min Years as Agent
Most states require a period of active experience as a licensed real estate sales agent before qualifying for a broker license. Some states use a points-based system or require a minimum number of closed transactions as an alternative or additional requirement.
State Broker Exam
Mostly verifiedState Broker Exam Required
Real estate broker licensing examination
Multiple-choice; national and state-specific portions
Format
PSI
Provider
75%
Passing Score
$64
Exam Fee
Exam Sections
The real estate broker exam typically includes both a national portion covering general real estate principles and a state-specific portion covering local laws and regulations. Exams are usually administered by third-party providers such as PSI or Pearson VUE at authorized testing centers.
Study guides for the real estate broker licensing exam.
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Broker Practice Capabilities
VerifiedYes
Independent Practice
Yes
Supervise Agents
Yes
Operate Brokerage
Yes
Property Management
Yes
Escrow Handling
Yes
Dual Agency
Yes
Designated Agency
Restricted Activities
Real estate brokers have a broader scope of practice than sales agents, including the ability to operate their own brokerage, supervise agents, and handle escrow funds. Dual agency (representing both buyer and seller) and designated agency rules vary significantly by state.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $45 |
Exam Fee Paid to PSI | $64 |
License Fee | $100 |
E&O Insurance Errors and omissions insurance; varies by provider | $200 |
MLS Fees MLS membership varies by local association | $400 |
Renewal Fee | $45 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, exam, license, E&O insurance, and MLS fees | $754 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Mostly verifiedAnnual (June 10 renewal deadline each year)
Renewal Period
8 hrs
CE Hours Required
90 hours post-license in first 3 years
Post-License Education
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$45
Regulatory Board
Broker licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state real estate commission. Continuing education typically covers topics such as ethics, fair housing, agency law, and state-specific legal updates. Some states also require post-license education within the first renewal period.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
Yes
ARELLO Certification
Accepted
Reciprocity Requirements
Real estate broker reciprocity agreements allow brokers licensed in one state to obtain a license in another state with reduced requirements. ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) certification may be accepted in some states. Requirements typically include passing the state-specific portion of the broker exam.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
North Carolina requires only 24 hours of pre-license education but mandates 90 hours of post-license education in the first 3 years.
North Carolina requires 24 hours of pre-license education for broker licensure.
2 years of active agent experience required.
8 CE hours required per 1 year renewal cycle.
Dual agency is permitted with proper disclosure in North Carolina.
Post-license education required: 90 hours post-license in first 3 years.
Real Estate Broker requirements in nearby states
North Carolina ranks #1 out of 51 for lowest real estate broker licensing fees ($754). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in North Carolina.
Real Estate Broker Schools in North Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#3 of 51
Salary
#26 of 51
Cost
#1 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Brokers (SOC 41-9021)
Entry Level
$48,780
25th percentile
Median
$62,660
-13% vs. national avg ($72,280)Experienced
$93,720
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,330 employed in this state
Note: BLS data for real estate brokers reflects reported wage/salary income. Actual broker income varies significantly based on commission-based earnings and market conditions.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Brokers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+2.1%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+1,200
over 10 years
Annual Openings
3,900
per year (avg.)
54,100 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+19% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Broker
$62,660
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$47,840
You are here
Real Estate Broker
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$62,660
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$56,950
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
State Broker Licensing Exam — 2024National rate
53%
Estimated Pass Rate
Estimated national average. Generally lower than salesperson exam pass rates.
Source: State Licensing Boards (2024)
Pass rates are approximate national averages and may vary by state, exam provider, and candidate preparation.
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 120–136 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: North Carolina Real Estate Commission — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: North Carolina Real Estate Commission — Licensing Requirements
Cross-referenced: RealEstateU
Accessed 2026-03-20
Moving to North Carolina? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Real Estate Broker license to North Carolina →
Transfer your Real Estate Broker license from North Carolina to: Georgia → | South Carolina → | Tennessee → | Virginia →
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North Carolina requires 75 hours of pre-license education and 2 years of agent experience for broker licensure. A state broker exam is required. All licensing is managed through the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state real estate commission.