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Licensing FAQs |
Question |
Answer |
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1 |
Who is required to have a real estate license in NC? | Any person or business entity who engages in brokerage must have a real estate license. See GS 93A-1 and GS 93A-2 for rules & exceptions. |
2 |
Why do I need to get a NC real estate license if I am already licensed in another state? | Per GS 93A-1 no one may accept compensation for brokerage activities in NC without a NC real estate license on Active status. |
3 |
Are real estate/real property attorneys required to have a real estate license to engage in real estate brokerage in NC? | Yes, per GS 93A-1 no one may accept compensation for brokerage activities in NC without a NC real estate license on Active status. |
4 |
How do I obtain a NC Real Estate license? | The entire licensing process and all requirements are provided in the Commission’s Real Estate Licensing in NC (RELINC) booklet. |
5 |
I had a NC real estate license in the past. I want to get back in the business. What do I do? | If your license has expired and you wish to practice brokerage, you must apply for Reinstatement. Refer to the Reinstate your License page for details. |
6 |
What are the fees associated with keeping an active license? |
Brokers must pay NCREC’s annual license renewal fee and registration fees for annual CE courses. Provisional Brokers must also pay registration and textbook fees for Postlicensing courses. |
7 |
Does NC have a salesperson license? | No. NC is a “Broker-only” state. NC’s Provisional Broker category is the entry-level license status. See Rules 58A.0506 & 58A.1902. |
8 |
What are the types of broker licenses in NC? | Broker, Firm, and Limited Nonresident Commercial Definitions provided in RELINC. |
9 |
What is a “Provisional Broker” (PB)? | Provisional Broker (PB) is the entry-level license status. PBs must be supervised by BICs (Broker-in-Charge) and complete Postlicensing education to maintain Active licenses. See Rules 58A.0506 & 58A.1902. |
10 |
What are the license qualification requirements in NC? | License qualification requirements are provided in Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina (RELINC) . |
11 |
What are the fees associated with getting a license? | Prelicensing course registration fee, application fee, exam registration fee, & criminal background check. See RELINC for details. |
12 |
Where can I sign up for a Broker Prelicensing course? | The list of providers currently approved to offer the Prelicensing course is available on the Commission’s website. Contact the providers directly regarding registration. |
13 |
What is the best Prelicensing provider? | The Commission does not recommend providers. Click here to view the License Exam Performance Report by Education Provider. |
14 |
Where can I buy the Prelicensing textbook? | Prelicensing course materials are provided by education providers. Contact your preferred education provider to determine what materials they use. |
15 |
Can I take the Broker Prelicensing course online? |
Yes. The Prelicensing course is offered in variety of formats – in-person, via synchronous distance learning
(aka, “live online” instruction using Zoom or similar technologies), or via distance courses (self-paced online courses).
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16 |
If I hold a license in another state, do I need to take the Prelicensing course or exam? | An applicant who holds a current real estate license in another state (or U.S. territory or Canadian jurisdiction) that has been on active status within the previous three years may qualify to waive the Prelicensing course and the “National” section of the North Carolina real estate license examination. Generally, the applicant must pass the “State” section of the examination. See RELINC for details. |
17 |
Can I apply for my license online? | Yes, if you are applying for a broker or firm license. Applications for Limited Nonresidential Commercial Licenses must be submitted via paper forms. Visit the Forms page of the Commission's website to access all application forms. |
18 |
I lost my application username and password. Help! | The username should be your email address & you can choose to “reset password”. Also, you may contact the Commission for assistance. |
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19 |
I took (and passed!) the Prelicensing course last year. May I apply now or do I need to retake the class? | You may apply now. The Broker Prelicensing course must have been successfully completed within 3 years prior to application. See RELINC for details. |
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20 |
How do I obtain my criminal record report? | Contact Criminal Record Check.com at 877.272.0266 or www.ncreccheck.com. Criminal Record Check (CRC) is the only approved criminal record provider for the NC Real Estate Commission. Reports from other agencies will not be accepted. |
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21 |
I obtained a criminal record report a year ago. Do I need to order a new report? | Yes, you need to order a new report. Only a report prepared by CRC within the previous six months is acceptable. See RELINC for details. |
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22 |
How much will the criminal record report cost? | If you have only lived in NC during the past 7 years, your report will likely cost less than $50. However, you must submit a criminal record report for any state or country in which you lived during the past 7 years. Fees are assessed for each state and/or country. Also, checks must be performed for all names and aliases. As of July 1, 2021, a federal report is also required. See RELINC for details. |
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23 |
What is an Official Certification of Licensure (aka, Certificate of License History)? | A Certification of Licensure is an official document issued by the real estate governing agency in the state where you hold a license. It is not a wall license, pocket card, or certificate. It shows the type of license you hold, the criteria upon which you qualified for licensure (such as examination or reciprocity), the duration of your licensure, your status history (including broker/firm affiliations), and any disciplinary actions. Applicants for licensure in North Carolina are required to submit a Certification of Licensure from any state in which they have held a real estate license within the 5 years prior to application. |
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24 |
How soon after I submit my application will I be able to take the license exam? | Assuming the Commission determines you meet the qualification requirements and have submitted a complete application, you will be emailed a Notice of Exam Eligibility within 5-7 business days of receipt of your application. Read more in RELINC. |
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25 |
How do I schedule my exam? | Within 1 business day following receipt of the Notice of Exam Eligibility, you will receive a separate email with an Authorization to Test from Pearson VUE, the exam administrator. It will guide you on how to create an account and schedule a testing appointment or call 800-745-2627. See RELINC for details. |
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26 |
Once I get a Notice of Exam Eligibility, how long do I have to take the exam? | The Exam Eligibility period is 180 days. If you do not take & pass the required exam sections within that period, you must re-apply with a new criminal records report to be eligible to test again. See RELINC for details. |
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27 |
How many times can I take the exam in my 180-day eligibility? | Applicants are not allowed to retake the license exam for at least 10 calendar days following a failed exam. Other than that waiting period, there is no limit to the number of attempts allowed during the 180-day eligibility period. See RELINC for details. |
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28 |
What is the passing score on the NC license exam? | The passing score is 75 for both the National and the State exam sections and is computed separately for each exam section. See RELINC for details regarding exam format & content. |
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29 |
How long is the license exam? | The comprehensive 2-part exam is 4½ hours total & includes 140 scored items, of which 80 are National and 60 are State-based. There will be 10 additional unscored, pretest items. See RELINC for details. |
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30 |
If I pass the national section but not the state in the 180-day period, will I have to take the entire exam again? | It depends. If you pass only one section and are applying to retest within the same 180-period, you need only take the portion that you did not pass. However, if you have exceeded 180 days, you must reapply and take the entire exam (both sections) again. You must pass both sections within the same 180-day period. See RELINC for details. |
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31 |
How can I request a special accommodation to take the exam? | Candidates requesting special accommodations should go to http://pearsonvue.com/accommodations and select NCREC from the alphabetized list. See RELINC for details. |
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32 |
I passed the license exam! When will I get my license? | Once you pass the exam, the character section of your application is reviewed. If there are no issues relating to character, your license will be promptly issued and should be received in the mail within 7-10 business days of the examination date. If there is any issue relating to character, your application will be reviewed by Commission staff and may be referred to the Commission for further consideration. This process may become quite lengthy. See RELINC for details. |
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33 |
What is the "character review" process? | All applicants must successfully complete the Broker Prelicensing course (unless exempt), submit an application (with appropriate fee and background check), and pass the licensing exam. At this point, the Commission will evaluate any character issues that were disclosed on the application or background report. Every application is considered individually. If character issues were reported, the application is first evaluated by the License Application Analyst and Executive Director. If necessary, the application may be then referred to the Commission for review at the next monthly Commission meeting. The Commission may make a decision regarding licensure at that meeting or may choose to invite an applicant to the Commission office for a “character conference” the following month. An applicant will be notified in writing of the Commission’s decision. |
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34 |
I want to teach the Prelicensing course in North Carolina. What are the qualification requirements and how do I apply? | NCAC 58H.0302 explains the criteria and procedures for Commission approval of Pre/Postlicensing and Update instructors. The "Real Estate Prelicensing, Postlicensing, or Update Instructor Application for original approval (Form REC 3.76)" is available on the Commission's website under Forms. |