South · Real Estate License
North Carolina
Provisional Broker License Requirements
75
Pre-Licensing Hours
classroom or online
$190
Est. Total Cost
fees only (excl. education)
4–24 weeks
Timeline
start to license
1 year
Renewal Cycle
8 CE hours required
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Complete 75-Hour Broker Prelicensing Course
Through an NCREC-approved school (in-person or online). Must complete within 180 days of enrollment.
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Submit License Application Online
Apply at ncrec.gov. Pay $100 non-refundable application fee. Submit required disclosures.
Estimated time: 30 minutes
Complete Criminal Background Check
Select 'Apply for Background Check' during application. Pay vendor directly (~$15–$45). Report must be within 60 days.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Receive Notice of Examination Eligibility
NCREC reviews application. If approved, Notice of Exam Eligibility is issued (valid for 180 calendar days).
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Schedule and Pass the Exam
Schedule via Pearson VUE. Pay $60 exam fee. Pass both National and State sections with 75% each.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
License Issued
NCREC makes final character determination and issues Provisional Broker license.
Estimated time: 5–10 business days
Affiliate with a Broker-in-Charge
To activate license, the Provisional Broker must affiliate with a BIC at a licensed real estate firm.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Complete 90 Hours of Postlicensing Education
Within 18 months: three 30-hour courses (301, 302, 303) to remove provisional status and become full Broker.
Estimated time: Within 18 months
Pre-Licensing Education
Hours Required
VerifiedSingle 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course. Must complete within 180 days of enrollment. Valid for 3 years prior to application.
Required Topics / Courses
- Broker Prelicensing Course (75 hrs)
Provider type: NCREC-approved schools (in-person, online, or distance learning) and NC community colleges
View approved education providers →Find Approved Pre-Licensing Schools
Online education providers offering North Carolina-approved pre-licensing courses. Compare options to find the best fit for your schedule and learning style.
Aceable Agent
Mobile-friendly online courses with flexible self-paced learning and a pass guarantee.
Colibri Real Estate
One of the largest national providers with instructor-led and self-paced options in 40 states.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established education brand offering pre-licensing courses with live online and on-demand options.
The CE Shop
Nationally recognized online school offering courses in 47 states plus DC with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Licensing Exam
Exam Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice (4 answer choices), in-person only at Pearson VUE centers.
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 120 min | 75% |
| State (North Carolina) | 40 | 90 min | 75% |
| Total | 120 | 210 min | — |
Retake policy: Unlimited retakes within 180-day eligibility window. Minimum 10 calendar days between attempts. $50 per single-section retake. Only failed section needs retaking. If 180 days expire, all passed sections are lost.
~10 unscored pretest questions may appear. 10 Pearson VUE-owned centers + 53 partner centers (community colleges) across NC. Some sources report 60 state questions — verify against Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook.
Schedule your exam →Exam Prep Resources
Practice tests and study tools to help you pass the North Carolina real estate licensing exam on your first attempt.
PrepAgent
State-specific practice exams, audio lessons, and flashcards covering both national and state portions.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Paid To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $100.00 | NCREC | |
| Exam Fee (Comprehensive) | $60.00 | Pearson VUE | |
| Criminal Background Check | $30.00 | NCREC-approved vendor | |
| Estimated Total | $190.00 | Excludes education costs |
Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education
No formal education required
NC does not statutorily require a high school diploma or GED. Only the 75-hour prelicensing course is needed.
Residency
Not required
Citizenship
U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
Must have Social Security number.
Background Check
Required
Criminal history report from NCREC-approved vendor, no more than 60 days old. No fingerprinting required.
Sponsoring Broker
Required
Must affiliate with a Broker-in-Charge (BIC) to activate the Provisional Broker license.
Reciprocity
North Carolina does not have reciprocity
Type: Limited License Recognition
Former reciprocal states (AR, CT, GA, IA, LA, MS, NE, SC, TN, WV) — agreements ended Feb 29, 2012. Replaced by 'Limited License Recognition' for ALL U.S. states: out-of-state licensees with active license within past 3 years are exempt from 75-hour course and national exam portion, but must pass NC state exam, submit application, complete background check, and still complete 90 hours of postlicensing education.
Renewal & Continuing Education
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education Hours
8 hours per renewal cycle
Renewal Fee
$45.00
First Renewal Notes
No CE required during the license period in which license is first issued. CE required starting with second renewal. Separately, 90 hours of postlicensing education must be completed within 18 months of initial licensure.
Deadlines
June 30 annually. Renewal window: May 15 – June 30. CE must be completed by June 10. Online renewal required.
Postlicensing: 3 courses of 30 hours each (301: Broker Relationships & Responsibilities, 302: Contracts & Closing, 303: NC License Law). Missing 18-month deadline results in inactive status.
Find Continuing Education Courses
North Carolina requires 8 hours of continuing education every 1 year. These providers offer approved CE courses online.
Colibri Real Estate
Comprehensive CE packages available in all 50 states plus DC, with live and on-demand options.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established provider with CE packages including live online and on-demand formats.
The CE Shop
Industry-leading CE courses available nationwide with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Recent Changes
Exam provider switched from AMP to Pearson VUE. Significantly expanded testing locations (10 Pearson VUE + 53 partner centers including community colleges and military bases).
Effective: 2024-03-01 · Affects: exam
All reciprocity agreements ended. Replaced by 'Limited License Recognition' system available to licensees from any U.S. state.
Effective: 2012-02-29 · Affects: reciprocity
Sources
https://www.ncrec.gov/Licensing/ApplyLicense
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.ncrec.gov/Licensing/Licensingfaq
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/nc/realestate.html
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://bulletins.ncrec.gov/license-exam-change-is-here-and-it-is-good/
Updated: Mar 1, 2024
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
Approximate publication date
https://bulletins.ncrec.gov/licensing-reciprocity-ends-february-29-replaced-with-new-exam-requirements/
Updated: Feb 29, 2012
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
Effective date