Real estate brokers and provisional brokers in North Carolina are required to complete 8 hours of continuing education courses each year to maintain their active license status. The 8-hour CE requirement must include the following courses:

• Update Course (4 hours): This course covers recent changes and updates in real estate laws, rules, and regulations. It aims to keep agents informed about any relevant legal or procedural changes that may affect their practice.

• Elective Courses (4 hours): The remaining 4 hours can be completed by taking elective CE courses of your choice. These courses allow agents to explore specific areas of real estate, such as property management, finance, marketing, or legal aspects.

It's essential to ensure that the CE courses you take are approved by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) to receive credit for your CE requirements.

Here is a quick breakdown of becoming a real estate broker in North Carolina:

• Complete your pre-licensing education. Becoming a real estate broker in North Carolina starts with 75 hours of education. This serves as the learning core before you can take the state exam.

• Take and pass the North Carolina Real Estate Exam. You’ll need to pass your real estate exam. Learn more about the online proctoring process https://www.theceshop.com/proctoring-instructions-online/proctoring-instructions-online.

• Apply for your real estate license. You’ll need to create a log-in profile with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission website before applying for your North Carolina Broker License. You’ll also need to complete a criminal background check, which can be submitted online.

For a more comprehensive explanation of the licensing steps, take a look at our guide on how to become a real estate agent in North Carolina. If you’re ready to start your pre-licensing education today, sign up for one of our approved online packages.

The process for reinstating your North Carolina real estate license depends on 1. whether you’re a provisional broker or a full broker; and 2. how long your license has expired.

You can reinstate your license online by following the Commission’s step by step instructions. The Commission also publishes a helpful table detailing the path to reinstatement.

Here’s a quick look at how to reinstate your license as a provisional broker:

Expired for less than 6 months:

• No education or exam required

• Pay a $90 reinstatement fee

• Correct all CE deficiencies, affiliate with a BIC, and submit the License Activation/Affiliation form (REC 2.08)

Expired for 6 months to 2 years:

• Complete a 30-hour post-licensing course OR pass the National and State sections of the licensing exam

• Submit a reinstatement application with a $90 fee, all supporting documentation, and a criminal background check

• Correct all CE deficiencies, affiliate with a BIC, and submit the License Activation/Affiliation form (REC 2.08) to regain active status

Expired for more than 2 years:

• Complete a 75-hour NC Broker pre-licensing course AND pass the National and State sections of the licensing exam

• Submit a license application with a $100 fee, all supporting documentation, and a criminal background check

• Correct all CE deficiencies, affiliate with a BIC, and submit the License Activation/Affiliation form (REC 2.08) to regain active status

On the North Carolina real estate license application, you will be asked three questions about any prior criminal offenses, professional license disciplinary actions, liens, or unpaid judgments. All applicants are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and offenses don’t automatically disqualify you. The Commission considers factors such as the level and seriousness of the crime, the date of the crime, and more.

Your continuing education must be completed between July 1st and June 10th of each year. Keep in mind that real estate schools are not allowed to offer courses for CE credit between June 11th and June 30th of each year, so you won’t be able to complete your CE requirements during that time.

North Carolina requires you to renew your real estate license every year. North Carolina real estate licenses expire on June 30th each year, so it is important that you complete the renewal process before this date. You can begin the renewal process as early as May 15th.