Frequently Asked Questions
What type of licensing is required in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, there are three levels of broker licensing: Provisional Broker (PB), Broker (B), and Broker-in-Charge (BIC).
Provisional Broker
A Provisional Broker (PB) is the entry level license status who has completed the 75-hour pre-licensing course and passed the Commission’s license examination. A provisional broker must be supervised by a broker-in-charge when performing any act for which a real estate license is required. Provisional brokers must complete the required post licensing education to remove the “provisional” status of their licenses and to remain eligible for “active” license status within 18 months of receiving their license.
Broker
A Broker is not required to be supervised by a broker-in-charge in order to hold an “active” license. A Broker must satisfy the post licensing education requirement to become a non-provisional broker within 18 months of becoming a Provisional Broker.
An applicant who holds a current real estate license in another U.S. jurisdiction that is equivalent to NC’s broker license and that has been on active status within the previous three (3) years may pass the State portion of the license examination and be issued a broker license (assuming requisite character requirements are met).
Broker-In-Charge (BIC)
A real estate broker who has been designated as the BIC with the Commission and supervises provisional brokers engaged in real estate brokerage at a particular real estate office. The BIC is also responsible for other administrative and supervisory duties for the firm as outline in as the Commission Rule A.0110.
What do I need to do to get my real estate license?
Complete the 75-Hour Pre-Licensing Course
Start the NCREC’s Application for Real Estate License
Get your "Criminal Record Report"
Send in your completed application to the NC Real Estate Commission
Receive Notice of Eligibility and Schedule Exam
Choose Your Real Estate Firm or Broker-In-Charge
Complete your Post-Licensing and Continuing Education Requirements within 18 months of receiving your license.
Complete our 75-Hour Broker Pre-Licensing Course
AIM School’s 75-Hour Broker Pre-Licensing course is approved by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC). To fulfill this requirement, you much attend at least 80% of the class, which means that you cannot miss more than 15 hours of the class. You also must pass the class test that is administered on the last day of class by scoring at least a 75%.
Start the NCREC’s Application for Real Estate License
It is a good idea to gather appropriate documentation and fill out as much information in advance for the NCREC Application, but you will not be able to submit it until you have completed your 75-Hour Broker Pre-Licensing course. You will need to provide your legal name, address, Social Security number, Education Provider/School, Instructor, Course, license history, places of residence for the last 7 years, employment history for the last 3 years, criminal offenses, professional license disciplinary actions, liens or unpaid judgements. Here is the link to the NCREC website to apply for your real estate license. You will be directed to set up a login to access the forms: https://www.ncrec.gov/Licensing/ApplyLicense
For more information, review the Real Estate Licensing in NC Booklet:https://www.ncrec.gov/Brochures/general.pdf
Obtain your "Criminal Record Report"
The NCREC requires you to obtain a criminal record report prepared by CriminalRecordCheck.com (https://ncreccheck.com). This report must include results from each place that you’ve lived in over the past seven years. Typically, your report will be sent back to you in 2-4 business days if it is involving NC records only. If a report contains a search of out of state records, it will require more time.
Send in your completed application to the NC Real Estate Commission
Once you have completed the 75-hour NC Broker Prelicensing Course or one of the other Education Qualification options, submit a complete license application, including the $100 application fee, $56 examination fee, and all required documentation.
Receive Notice of Eligibility and Schedule Exam
One the NCREC approves your application, they will notify you via a letter that you are eligible to take the exam. It usually takes 7 to 10 business days to receive this letter, and as soon as you receive it, contact the testing center to schedule your exam.
The state exam consists of 120 questions which are divided into a national section (80 questions) and a state section (40 questions). There are usually a few additional questions that are not scored by are being used to determine their potential use on future exams. To pass, students must score 75% or higher on EACH section. Students who fail to pass both sections will be allowed to re-take the section not passed by scheduling another exam with the testing center no sooner than 10 days after you initially took your exam. If you pass your exam, your application will be considered for licensure after review of your criminal report. After you are approved for licensure, you will receive your broker license in the mail. Your status will be "provisional," and you will be referred to as a "provisional broker".
Choose Your Real Estate Firm or Broker-In-Charge
If you want actively work in real estate, you will need to affiliate with a real estate firm or Broker-In-Charge and pay your annual renewal fee to the NCREC every year before June 30th.
If you do not want to actively work in real estate, you do not need to affiliate with a firm or Broker-in-Charge, but you still need to pay your annual renewal fee to the NCREC every year before June 30th.
Complete your Post-Licensing and Continuing Education Requirements
Once licensed, a Provisional Broker must complete a Post-Licensing Education Program in order to terminate the “Provisional” status of their license and to avoid license inactivation and possible eventual cancellation. You will need to take three 30-hour Broker Post-Licensing courses within 18 months of receiving your license. To pass the class, you must attend at least 90% of the class, which means that you cannot miss more than 3 hours of the class. You also must pass the class test that is administered on the last day of class by scoring at least a 75%. After completing each of the three 30-hour Broker Post-Licensing courses, your "provisional" status is removed, and you are a "Broker".
In addition, you are required to take 8 hours of Continuing Education before the second renewal of your real estate license. These CE credits are required every year and are made up of 4 hours of a Mandatory Update course and 4 hours of an approved elective.
How much does the 75-Hour Broker Pre-Licensing course cost?
The Broker Pre-Licensing course is $449.00.
What should I bring with me to class?
Please have your textbook, workbook, paper, pens/pencils, highlighters and a standard calculator near you during the class.
What do I need to do to prepare for my first class?
Please read the first three chapters in your textbook before the first class. Homework assignments will be given out after each class. Be prepared to read and study outside of class throughout the course.
What is the attendance policy for Broker Pre-Licensing classes?
You are required to attend at least 80% of the class that you select, meaning that you cannot miss more than 15 hours of class. Though you can ask your instructor for the information that you missed during an absence, you are not able to make up hours in another course.
What are the fees to take the NC State Exam?
The North Carolina State Exam application fee is $100 and there is an additional testing fee of $66. Minimum passing score is 75%. After passing the state exam, and assuming there are no problems with your background check, you will be awarded your Provisional Brokers license. For a more complete and detailed review of requirements, please consult the NCREC.
What are the requirements for obtaining a Broker’s license?
Once licensed, a Provisional Broker must complete a Post-Licensing Education Program in order to terminate the “Provisional” status of their license and to avoid license inactivation and possible eventual cancellation. You will need to take three 30-hour Broker Post-Licensing courses within 18 months of receiving your license. To pass the class, you must attend at least 90% of the class, which means that you cannot miss more than 3 hours of the class. You also must pass the class test that is administered on the last day of class by scoring at least a 75%. After completing each of the three 30-hour Broker Post-Licensing courses, your "provisional" status is removed, and you are a "Broker".
In addition, you are required to take 8 hours of Continuing Education before the second renewal of your real estate license. These CE credits are required every year and are made up of 4 hours of a Mandatory Update course and 4 hours of an approved elective.
For more information, check out the Broker FAQs on the NCREC website: https://www.ncrec.gov/Licensing/Brokerfaq
What requirements must I satisfy to pass the course?
To pass the class, you must attend at least 90% of the class, which means that you cannot miss more than 3 hours of the class. You also must complete any mandatory assignments, and you must pass the class test that is administered on the last day of class by scoring at least a 75%. At the AIM, we grade your test upon completion so that you know your score immediately. When you pass, you will walk out with your Certificate of Completion in-hand. We report the completion to the NCREC and you keep the certificate for your records.
When is course completion reported to the NCREC?
Upon successfully passing the class test, you will receive a Certificate of Completion for your records. AIM Real Estate School will report the course completion to the NCREC within 7 days. You do not need to take any action to report the completion to the NCREC.
What happens once I finish all three Broker Post-Licensing courses?
Congrats! After completing all three required Broker Post-Licensing courses, the “provisional” status will be removed, and you will be a “Broker.” The NCREC will send you an updated pocket card in the mail.
What are the requirements for becoming a Broker-in-Charge?
To become a BIC, you must do the following:
Work in real estate full time for the equivalent of 2 of the past 5 years
Designate yourself a BIC by submitting the corresponding paperwork to the NCREC.
Complete the 12-Hour BIC course offered by the NCREC.
For more information about becoming a BIC, read the FAQs on the NCREC website: https://www.ncrec.gov/Education/BICCRSFAQ
What is Continuing Education and what are the annual requirements?
Licensees must complete eight (8) classroom hours per year of continuing education (CE) in order to renew their license on active status.
Four (4) of the required CE credit hours must be obtained by completing the Mandatory Update course. The subject matter of this course will be changed by the NCREC from year to year, and covers information, such as, changes to laws and forms.
The remaining four (4) CE credit hours may be obtained by taking an elective course by the NCREC. Elective courses may address a wide variety of real estate topics. This is an opportunity to learn more and explore your areas of interest in Real Estate.
Continuing education must be completed each annual license period between July 1 and June 10. It is very important to note that schools are not permitted to offer courses for CE credit between June 11 and June 30 of each year. You will not be able to complete your CE requirement between June 11 and June 30 of each year. May and June classes often are filled quickly. So, plan ahead so you don’t miss your window.
A person who is issued a broker license does not have to take continuing education courses during the license period in which the license is issued.
For more information on CEs, please visit: https://www.ncrec.gov/Education/CEFAQ
What is the attendance policy for CE?
Licensees must attend 90% of a CE course and comply with student participating standards in order to receive credit for the course. This means that you cannot miss more than 24 minutes of class.
What's different about your school and why should I take my classes from you?
Our courses are taught by real estate industry leaders that focus on educating you through the licensing stages, as well as, providing you opportunities for professional and career development. We hope to be partners with you from your first class and beyond in your career.
If you have any other questions, please contact the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) at 919-875-3700 or https://www.ncrec.gov/.
What is Real Estate License Reciprocity?
Real estate reciprocity is the ability of a real estate license earned in one state to be used in other states. Since real estate license reciprocity states vary, and it can be incredibly confusing to navigate on your own, this guide explains how to transfer a real estate license to another state and lists the states that offer real estate reciprocity.