Real estate license requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina requires a 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course and a Pearson VUE exam — and issues its entry-level “Provisional Broker” license inactive until you complete a substantial 90-hour post-licensing requirement.
Education
The North Carolina Real Estate Commission requires a 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course under N.C.G.S. §93A-4(a) before you can apply to take the exam.
| Requirement | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broker Prelicensing Course | 75 | N.C.G.S. §93A-4(a) |
There’s no separate salesperson-level course in North Carolina — everyone starts on the broker track, just at a provisional level.
What North Carolina calls your first license
North Carolina has no salesperson tier at all — its entry-level license is called “Provisional Broker.” It’s issued inactive by default, meaning you can’t practice until you complete the state’s postlicensing education (below) and activate the license.
The licensing exam
North Carolina switched exam vendors from PSI to Pearson VUE effective March 1, 2024 — if you see older prep material referencing PSI, it’s outdated. Make sure any exam registration or scheduling you do goes through Pearson VUE.
| Portion | Items | To pass |
|---|---|---|
| National | 80 scored + ~5 pretest items | 75% |
| North Carolina state | 60 scored + ~5 pretest items | 75% |
| Total sitting | 140 scored items | Both sections separately |
The full two-part exam costs $63. If you need to retake just one section, the fee is $53.
North Carolina moved its exam to Pearson VUE on March 1, 2024. Older guides, bookmarks, and even some prep courses may still reference PSI — using outdated scheduling information can cost you time and confusion, so confirm you're on Pearson VUE's current North Carolina candidate page.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee (full 2-part) | $63 | Pearson VUE |
| Exam retake (single section) | $53 | Pearson VUE |
| Application & license fee | $105 | NCREC — current live figure; older sources show a stale $100 |
| Background check | Variable | Criminal Record Report via CriminalRecordCheck.com/ncreccheck.com, no flat published figure |
The $105 application fee is incurred each time you apply or retake, so factor that in if you’re not confident about passing on your first attempt. Background-check cost isn’t fixed by the state — contact CriminalRecordCheck.com (877-272-0266) for current pricing.
How to apply, step by step
North Carolina’s process runs education, exam, and application — but your license stays inactive until you finish postlicensing.
From an NCREC-approved provider, under N.C.G.S. §93A-4(a).
To the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
Through CriminalRecordCheck.com/ncreccheck.com; cost varies by vendor.
Both the national and North Carolina state portions, at 75% each.
It's issued inactive by default — you can't yet practice independently.
Three 30-hour courses (Post 301/302/303), due within 18 months of initial licensure, to activate and keep your license.
Provisional Brokers must work under a supervising broker while completing postlicensing requirements.
After you’re licensed: staying current
North Carolina’s postlicensing requirement is substantial and mandatory: 90 hours across three dedicated 30-hour courses, due within 18 months of your initial licensure.
| Course | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Post 301 | 30 | Postlicensing course 1 of 3 |
| Post 302 | 30 | Postlicensing course 2 of 3 |
| Post 303 | 30 | Postlicensing course 3 of 3 |
Miss the 18-month deadline and your license reverts to (or stays) inactive until you complete the outstanding hours — we didn’t find a confirmed hard cap or no-extensions detail, so if you’re at risk of missing the window, contact NCREC directly.
Reciprocity
North Carolina runs a license-recognition system rather than a fixed reciprocity list. If you’ve held an active license (within the last 3 years) in another state equivalent to NC’s provisional or full broker license, you can waive the 75-hour prelicensing course and the National exam portion. From there, you either pass the State exam section to get status matching your home state, or waive the State section too (which keeps you at the provisional level and forfeits the postlicensing waiver).
Common questions
Does North Carolina still use PSI for its exam?
No — North Carolina switched to Pearson VUE on March 1, 2024. Make sure any scheduling you do is through Pearson VUE, not PSI.
Is there a salesperson license in North Carolina?
No — North Carolina’s only entry-level license is “Provisional Broker.” There’s no separate salesperson tier.
Why is my Provisional Broker license inactive?
North Carolina issues Provisional Broker licenses inactive by default. You need to complete 90 hours of postlicensing education (within 18 months) to move to active status.
How much does the North Carolina background check cost?
There’s no flat published figure — cost varies by vendor through CriminalRecordCheck.com/ncreccheck.com. Contact them directly (877-272-0266) for current pricing.
Can an out-of-state license help me in North Carolina?
Yes, potentially — an active license (within 3 years) from an equivalent state can waive the 75-hour course and National exam portion, though you’ll still need to handle the State exam section one way or another.
Next step
North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) — https://www.ncrec.gov
Compare the real estate prep courses we've reviewed, with current pricing.
See the best real estate courses