Key Takeaways
- North Carolina broker applicants must be at least 18 years old and a US citizen or legal resident
- Prelicense education requirement is 75 hours from an NCREC-approved school
- The exam has 140 questions total (100 national + 40 state) with separate time limits of 2.5 hours and 1.5 hours
- Passing score is 71/100 on national and 29/40 on state portion
- Total exam and application fees are $164 ($100 application + $64 exam fee)
North Carolina License Requirements
North Carolina has specific requirements for obtaining a broker license. These requirements are frequently tested on the state exam portion.
Broker License Requirements
To become a North Carolina real estate broker, you must:
1. Basic Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a US citizen or legal resident
- Not have had a real estate license revoked in the past 5 years
- Submit to a criminal background check
2. Education Requirements
Complete 75 hours of prelicense education from an NCREC-approved school:
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| Broker Prelicensing Course | 75 |
The 75-hour course covers both national real estate concepts and North Carolina-specific laws and practices.
3. Examination
The North Carolina broker exam is administered by Pearson VUE:
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 140 multiple-choice |
| National Portion | 100 questions |
| State Portion | 40 questions |
| National Time | 2.5 hours (150 minutes) |
| State Time | 1.5 hours (90 minutes) |
| Total Time | 4 hours |
| National Passing | 71 correct out of 100 |
| State Passing | 29 correct out of 40 |
| Exam Fee | $64 |
4. Application and Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| License Application | $100 |
| Exam Fee (Pearson VUE) | $64 |
| Total Initial Cost | $164 |
5. Exam Eligibility Period
After completing prelicense education, you have 180 days (approximately 6 months) to pass the exam. If you don't pass within this period, you must retake the prelicense course.
Note: Pearson VUE administers the NC broker exam at testing centers throughout the state and offers online proctoring options.
Provisional Broker Status
Critical for New Licensees: All newly licensed brokers in North Carolina receive provisional broker status.
What is a Provisional Broker?
A provisional broker:
- Has passed the licensing exam
- Must work under a broker-in-charge (BIC)
- Cannot operate independently
- Must complete post-licensing education within 3 years
Post-License Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 90 hours |
| Courses | Three 30-hour courses |
| Deadline | Within 3 years of initial license |
| Consequence of Non-Completion | License goes on INACTIVE status |
The three 30-hour post-license courses are:
- Post-License Course 301 (within 18 months)
- Post-License Course 302 (within 18 months)
- Post-License Course 303 (within 3 years)
Removing Provisional Status
To become a full broker and remove provisional status:
- Complete all 90 hours of post-license education
- Gain 2 years of full-time experience, OR
- Complete an additional 90-hour education requirement
Broker-in-Charge (BIC) Requirements
To become a broker-in-charge, you must:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| License Status | Full (non-provisional) broker |
| Experience | 2 years full-time within past 5 years |
| Education | 12-hour BIC course |
| Renewal | 4-hour BIC Update annually |
Important: Only a BIC can supervise provisional brokers and handle trust funds.
Exam Scheduling Process
- Complete 75-hour prelicense course
- Receive course completion certificate
- Create Pearson VUE account (pearsonvue.com/ncrec)
- Pay $64 exam fee
- Schedule exam within 180-day eligibility window
- Pass both sections (71% national, 72.5% state)
- Submit license application within 90 days of passing
How many hours of prelicense education are required for a North Carolina broker license?
What is the passing score requirement for the North Carolina state portion of the broker exam?
How long do you have to pass the NC broker exam after completing prelicense education?