North Carolina Real Estate Agent Licensing Requirements
To obtain an initial North Carolina real estate license, the general path is:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a Social Security number and meet the state’s eligibility requirements.
- Complete the 75-hour North Carolina Broker Prelicensing Course through an approved education provider. (NCREC Bulletins)
- Submit a license application to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC).
- Obtain the required criminal background report. Character and fitness issues can be reviewed by the Commission, including relevant criminal history, occupational-license discipline, and financial-responsibility matters. (NCREC Bulletins)
- Pay the $105 original license application fee. This increased from $100 to $105 effective April 1, 2026. (NCREC Bulletins)
- Pass the North Carolina real estate licensing examination, which contains both National and State sections. (NCREC Bulletins)
- After passing, the person generally receives a Provisional Broker license.
- To actually conduct brokerage activity on active status as a provisional broker, the broker must affiliate with a Broker-in-Charge (BIC). (NCREC Bulletins)
- Complete 90 hours of Postlicensing education within 18 months of initial licensure. This consists of three 30-hour courses: 301 – Broker Relationships & Responsibilities, 302 – Contracts and Closing, and 303 – NC Law, Rules, and Legal Concepts. (NCREC Bulletins)
Once those 90 postlicensing hours are successfully completed within the required period, the provisional status is removed. (NCREC Bulletins)
Ongoing requirement
Active North Carolina brokers generally need 8 hours of Continuing Education each license year: the appropriate 4-hour Update course plus a 4-hour elective. (NCREC Bulletins)
The licensing authority is the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC).
In short:
18+ → 75-hour course → application/background check → pass exam → Provisional Broker → affiliate with BIC → 90-hour post licensing → full Broker status.
