Do I need a real estate license in North Carolina?

3-minute read

North Carolina real estate agent in front of a property

If you’re looking to launch a career in North Carolina real estate, you must obtain a North Carolina real estate license. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission requires a license for anyone who wants to buy, sell, or lease real estate to clients. This guide will walk you through the key steps –– from meeting the basic requirements to activating your license –– so you can confidentially begin your career.

What Are the Basic Requirements? 

To qualify for a North Carolina real estate license, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien under federal law.
  • Have a Social Security number.
  • Satisfy the North Carolina Real Estate Commission that you possess the requisite character for licensure.

Does North Carolina offer a Salesperson License?

No. Instead of a salesperson license, the entry-level agent status is called a “Provisional Broker” (PB). A PB must work under the supervision of a Broker-in-Charge (BIC) and complete additional education to maintain an active license.

Do I Need to Complete a Pre-licensing Course?

Yes. Most applicants must complete a 75-hour pre-licensing course from a North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) approved1 school. Courses are offered in a variety of formats:

  • In-person or live online courses2
  • Or self-paced online courses3

Can I Skip the Course Requirement?

You may qualify for a course waiver if you have:

  • A bachelor’s or higher degree in real estate or law from an accredited U.S. college or university.
  • Military training4 that meets licensing requirements.
  • An active real estate license from another U.S. state, territory, or Canadian jurisdiction within the last three years.
  1. A background check: You must submit information about criminal offenses, and licensure disciplinary actions, liens, or unpaid judgments.
  2. Completed coursework: Ensure your school reports your successful completion.
  3. Exam eligibility: If you meet all requirements, you will receive a “notice of exam eligibility” within 5-7 business days.

How do I schedule my Licensing Exam? 

After receiving your eligibility notice, you will receive a separate authorization email from Pearson VUE, the exam administrator. To schedule the test:

  • Visit Pearson VUE’s North Carolina real estate licensing website.5
  • Or call Pearson VUE at 800-745-2627.


What should I expect from the licensing exam?

  • The exam is 4.5 hours long and consists of 140 scored questions: 80 national- and 60 state-specific.
  • A passing score is 75% or higher for both sections.
  • If you fail, you must wait at least 10 days before retaking the test. 

What is the Character Review Process?

After passing the licensing exam, NCREC will review your application and background check to determine if you meet their character requirements:6 honesty, truthfulness, integrity, good moral character, and mental and emotional fitness. If any concerns arise, your application may undergo further review.

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When Will I Receive my License?

If there are no character issues, you should receive a mailed copy of your North Carolina real estate license within 7-10 business days after passing the exam. But your license will be issued as inactive. 

How do I Activate my License?

To activate your North Carolina real estate license and start working as a Provisional Broker, you must:

  • Find a Broker-in-Charge (BIC) willing to supervise you.
  • Submit a License Activation Affiliation form.7

Do I Need to Renew my North Carolina Real Estate License?

Yes. All North Carolina real estate licenses expire annually on June 30. Renewals must be completed online through the NCREC website.8

Additionally, all Provisional Brokers must complete 90 hours of post-licensing education within 18 months of receiving their initial license to maintain active status.

If you have more questions about how to earn a North Carolina real estate license, visit the NCREC website9 or check out their comprehensive licensing booklet10 and FAQ page.11 By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to launching a career in North Carolina real estate. 

  1. https://www.ncrec.gov/PrelicensingEducation/PrelicensingProviders ↩︎
  2. https://www.ncrec.gov/PrelicensingEducation/PrelicensingCourseSchedules ↩︎
  3. https://www.ncrec.gov/PrelicensingEducation/DistancePrelicensingProviders ↩︎
  4. https://www.ncrec.gov/Forms/Licensee/NCREC_License_Requirements_Table.pdf ↩︎
  5. https://www.pearsonvue.com/nc/realestate ↩︎
  6. https://www.ncrec.gov/Pdfs/Licensing/RELINC.pdf ↩︎
  7. https://www.ncrec.gov/licenseeactivation ↩︎
  8. https://www.ncrec.gov/Home/Index ↩︎
  9. https://www.ncrec.gov/Home/Index ↩︎
  10. https://www.ncrec.gov/Pdfs/Licensing/RELINC.pdf ↩︎
  11. https://www.ncrec.gov/Licensing/Licensingfaq ↩︎

Written by

Courtney Hayes

Born and raised in the fishing port of Gloucester, MA, I grew up listening to the sea stories of local fishermen. My first job was “chum girl” on my dad’s tuna boat, where I spent my formative years covered in fish guts. Since then, I’ve worked as a researcher, blogger, and writer for documentary films. When not at work, you can find me surfing the cold waters of the North Atlantic or searching for warmer waves around the world.

Courtney writes on a number of topics such as risk assessment, starting a small business, and financial resources.

This content is for general, informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Please obtain expert advice from industry-specific professionals who may better understand your business’s needs. Read our full disclaimer