| Quick Answer: How Many Times Can I Take the NC Real Estate Exam? There is no set limit to how many times you can take the NC real estate exam. Qualified candidates can reapply as often as needed. However, you must pass both sections within your initial 180-day Exam Eligibility Period, or you lose credit and must retake both sections. |
If you are asking yourself, “How many times can I take the NC real estate exam?” the quick answer is reassuring: the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) imposes no maximum limit on exam attempts. However, while NCREC allows unlimited attempts, strict eligibility windows, reapplication fees, and testing rules significantly impact how you should plan your retakes.
NC Real Estate Exam Retake At-a-Glance
| Retake Scenario | NCREC & Pearson VUE Fees | Key Eligibility Rule |
| Both Sections (National + State) | $105 NCREC + $63 Pearson VUE ($168 total) | Comprehensive exam required on first attempt or after eligibility expires. |
| Single Section (First 180 Days) | $105 NCREC + $53 Pearson VUE ($158 total) | Allowed only during initial 180-day window after passing one section. |
| Expired 180-Day Window | $105 NCREC + $63 Pearson VUE ($168 total) + Background Fee | Previous section score forfeited; must order new criminal report and retake both sections. |
| End of Course Exam (School) | Varies by provider 1st Attempt at C&T is FREE2nd Attempt is $25 | Must pass 75-hour prelicensing course exam before applying to NCREC. |
Understanding the Two Different Real Estate Exams
Before diving deeper into state exam retakes, it helps to understand that becoming a licensed North Carolina real estate broker involves passing two entirely separate examinations:
1. End of Course School Exam: Administered by your approved education provider upon finishing the 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course.
2. NC State Licensing Exam: Administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of NCREC after your license application is approved.
How Many Times Can You Take the End of Course Exam?
NCREC requires all real estate candidates to complete the 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course and pass an end-of-course exam before applying for the state license. However, testing policies for this initial exam are set by individual education providers, not the state.
At Cumbie & Trull, students receive two attempts to pass the end-of-course exam. Exam 2 contains completely different questions from Exam 1 to ensure standard mastery. If a student does not pass on the second attempt, they must retake the course. To ease the financial burden, Cumbie & Trull offers a steep registration discount for retake students. Given the volume and complexity of the material, retaking the course is not uncommon.
Why the Difficulty of the Course Exam Matters
A rigorous end-of-course exam is your best preparation for the state exam. A school exam that is too easy leaves candidates with false confidence and underprepared for Pearson VUE.
Failing and retaking the state licensing exam repeatedly is both time-consuming and expensive. According to the April 2026 NCREC licensing guide, taking both the National and State sections requires a $105 application fee to NCREC plus a $63 Pearson VUE exam fee, totaling $168 per attempt. Taking six attempts could cost between $948 and $1,008 in fees alone.
How Many Times Can You Take the NC Real Estate Licensing Exam Rules Explained
When considering how many times can I take the NC real estate exam, NCREC confirms there is no upper limit on total attempts for a qualified candidate. However, every attempt requires a new application refiling and fee.
What Happens Every Time You Fail the Exam?
Each license application submission and fee is valid for only one exam attempt. If you fail the National section, State section, or both, you cannot simply reschedule. You must:
1. Access NCREC Portal: Log into your application portal.
2. Refile Application & Fee: Confirm your personal information remains unchanged, refile the application, and pay the $105 NCREC application fee.
3. Receive Updated Notice: Receive an updated Notice of Exam Eligibility indicating allowed sections and remaining eligibility days.
4. Schedule Pearson VUE: Schedule your test with Pearson VUE and pay the required testing fee ($63 for both sections, $53 for a single section).
The Initial 180-Day Exam Eligibility Period & Retake Advantages
Your initial Notice of Exam Eligibility is valid for 180 calendar days from the date NCREC issues it (not the date you finish real estate school). NCREC never extends this 180-day window under any circumstances.
Can You Retake Only the Section You Failed During the First 180 Days?
Yes! This is the most crucial advantage of the initial 180-day period:
• Your first attempt is the comprehensive exam (both National and State sections).
• Passing one section (e.g., National) but fail the other (e.g., State), requires that you only need to retake the failed section on your next attempt.
• Single section retakes cost $158 ($105 NCREC fee + $53 Pearson VUE fee).
• To qualify, ou must have at least 10 eligibility days remaining to schedule a retake within the window.
What Happens If Your Initial 180 Days Expire?
If the 180 days expire before you pass both sections, the rules change drastically:
1. You lose credit for any section you previously passed.
2. You must order a new criminal record background report.
3. You must reapply to NCREC, pay new fees, and receive a new 180-day eligibility period.
4. You must retake the comprehensive examination and pass BOTH sections anew.
Can You Really Take the NC Real Estate Exam More Than 1,000 Times?
Technically and mathematically, yes. Because NCREC sets no cap on attempts, a candidate who repeatedly tests every 10 days over several years could theoretically accumulate hundreds or thousands of attempts. However, this is purely a theoretical math scenario.
In reality, scheduling delays, processing times, background check renewals, and financial costs ($168 per attempt) make this impractical. Having unlimited attempts is a safety net, not a strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there a limit to how many times I can take the NC real estate exam? NCREC places no limit on total retakes for qualified candidates. However, each exam attempt requires a separate application refiling and fee payment.
Do I have to reapply if I fail the NC real estate exam? Yes. After failing any section, you must log into the NCREC portal, refile your application, pay the $105 application fee, and receive an updated Notice of Exam Eligibility before scheduling with Pearson VUE.
During my first 180 days, do I have to retake both sections if I fail one? No. During your initial 180-day window, once you pass one section, you only retake the remaining section. However, both sections must be passed before the 180 days expire.
How much does it cost to retake the NC real estate exam? Taking both sections costs $168 ($105 NCREC fee + $63 Pearson VUE fee). Retaking a single section during the initial 180 days costs $158 ($105 NCREC fee + $53 Pearson VUE fee).
What happens if my 180-day eligibility period expires? If your initial 180 days expire, you forfeit any passed section. You must order a new criminal background report, refile your application, pay new fees, and pass both sections on the comprehensive exam.
Final Strategy: Focus on Preparation, Not Retakes
So, how many times can I take the NC real estate exam? While North Carolina offers generous rules with unlimited retakes, your goal should be passing in as few attempts as possible. Retaking exams costs valuable time and hundreds of dollars. Focus on mastering the materials in your prelicensing course, leverage practice exams, and take full advantage of your initial 180-day window.
Ready to Pass the NC Real Estate Exam on Your First Try?
Don’t spend extra time and money on retakes! Master the material the first time with Cumbie & Trull’s top-rated pre-licensing courses and comprehensive exam prep toolkits.
