In general, anyone who transacts real estate business (including property management, time-share sales, and referrals) for compensation, as an agent for someone else, must have a real estate license.

Take and pass an approved 75-hour prelicensing course, submit an application to the Real Estate Commission and pass the state licensing exam. The license is initially on “provisional” status, which means the license can only be “active” and used if the licensee is under the supervision of a Broker-in-Charge (“BIC”).

No. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Note: You do NOT have to become a REALTOR® in order to obtain or keep a real estate license; however, if you join a typical real estate firm (which is affiliated with a local REALTOR® board or association), you will probably be required by that firm to become a REALTOR®.

You can register on the website at cumbieandtrull.com.

The comprehensive state license exam consists of 120 scored questions. There are 80 scored questions (2 hours allowed) on the National section, and 40 scored questions (1.5 hours allowed) on the State section.  PSI/AMP, a professional testing service, administers the state license exam. The Asheville testing center for PSI/AMP is located at: 1306-C Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28806.

$450 tuition for the licensing course (not including the textbook) or $465 for an on-demand course.  In addition, $100 for the application fee to the state; $15 or more for a criminal background report; and $56 to take the state license exam.

An applicant who holds a current real estate license in another state (or U.S. territory or Canadian jurisdiction) that has been on active status within the previous three years may obtain a North Carolina license without having to take the 75-hour prelicensing course.The applicant has two choices: (1) pass the “State” section of the State license exam and receive their license on “full” status (i.e., not on provisional status); or (2) not take any part of the state license exam and receive their license on provisional status (and having to then complete the three, 30-hour postlicensing courses).

Let’s break this question into two parts.

1. Retaining or keeping a license. Licensees must pay $45 by June 30th each year to “renew” their license. If not paid, the license “expires.” An expired license can be “reinstated” if done within two years of expiration (otherwise, the former licensee has to go back to square one if they want a license in the future).
2. Keeping a license “active” or usable. Several factors have to be considered. For a provisional license to be active, the licensee must be supervised by a Broker-in-Charge (“BIC”), and the licensee must complete the three, 30-hour postlicensing courses within a limited time period (effective 7/1/20, within 18 months of licensure).

For all licensees, two 4-hour Continuing Education (“CE”) courses must be taken every license year (an Update course and an elective course). The General Update (“GENUP”) is the Update for most licensees, but the Broker-In-Charge Update (“BICUP”) is for licensees who want to maintain their BIC or BIC eligible status.

The schedule for CE courses is located on our Continuing Education page.

Several things could cause your license to be inactive. What is required to activate an inactive license can vary substantially, from a simple request to activate the license to possibly 68 hours of education. You should call the Real Estate Commission, 919-875-3700, to confirm the status of your license and requirements for activation.

Take and pass an approved 75-hour prelicensing course, submit an application to the Real Estate Commission and pass the state licensing exam. The license is initially on “provisional” status, which means the license can only be “active” and used if the licensee is under the supervision of a Broker-in-Charge (“BIC”).

You can register on the website at cumbieandtrull.com.

The textbook is not included in the cost for the live prelicensing course.  The textbook for the course is the MODERN REAL ESTATE PRACTICE IN NORTH CAROLINA 10th EDITION and is sold by Dearborn Real Estate Education. There is no textbook requirement for the on-demand prelicensing class.

For live classes the course cost is $450. This amount can be paid in full using your credit or debit card or split into 4 interest-free payments using Klarna. The $465 tuition for on-demand classes is due at registration.

Newly licensed agents receive their real estate broker license on “provisional” status. The postlicensing courses (three, 30-hour courses) must be completed within 18 months of receiving the real estate license. After completing all three postlicensing courses, the license will be removed from “provisional” status.

You can register on the website at cumbieandtrull.com.

For the live and on-demand postlicensing courses, the North Carolina Real Estate Manual is required. The Real Estate Manual may be purchased directly from the Real Estate Commission.

Let’s break this question into two parts.

1. Retaining or keeping a license. Licensees must pay $45 by June 30th each year to “renew” their license. If not paid, the license “expires.” An expired license can be “reinstated” if done within two years of expiration (otherwise, the former licensee has to go back to square one if they want a license in the future).
2. Keeping a license “active” or usable. Several factors have to be considered. For a provisional license to be active, the licensee must be supervised by a Broker-in-Charge (“BIC”), and the licensee must complete the three, 30-hour postlicensing courses within a limited time period (effective 7/1/20, within 18 months of licensure).

For all licensees, two 4-hour Continuing Education (“CE”) courses must be taken every license year (an Update course and an elective course). The General Update (“GENUP”) is the Update for most licensees, but the Broker-In-Charge Update (“BICUP”) is for licensees who want to maintain their BIC or BIC eligible status.

The schedule for CE courses is located on our Continuing Education page.

You can register on the website at cumbieandtrull.com.

The only experience requirement is for a licensee who wants to become eligible to be a Broker-in-Charge (“BIC”). Each real estate office is required to have a BIC. A real estate licensee must have two years of experience to become BIC eligible (and would also have to complete the 12-hour BIC course taught by the Real Estate Commission).

The one-time, 12-hour BIC course must be taken within 120 days of appointment as BIC and is taught only by the Real Estate Commission. This is a separate requirement from the annual Continuing Education that a BIC is required to take to maintain their BIC status.