Key Takeaways
- North Carolina broker licenses expire on June 30 each year and require annual renewal
- Continuing education requirement is 8 hours annually, including the mandatory NCREC Update course
- BICs must complete an additional 4-hour BIC Update as part of their 8-hour CE requirement
- License renewal fee is $45 annually, due by June 10 to avoid late fees
- Failure to renew results in license expiration; reinstatement requires additional fees and possibly retaking the exam
License Maintenance and Renewal
North Carolina real estate licenses require annual renewal with continuing education.
License Term and Expiration
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| License Term | 1 year (annual) |
| Expiration Date | June 30 each year |
| Renewal Period | April 15 - June 30 |
| Early Renewal | After completing CE |
Continuing Education Requirements
Annual CE (8 hours)
All active brokers must complete 8 hours of continuing education annually:
| Course Type | Hours | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| NCREC Update Course | 4 | Mandatory every year |
| Elective CE | 4 | Choose approved courses |
| Total | 8 | Required for renewal |
BIC Additional Requirement
Brokers-in-charge must complete the 4-hour BIC Update course as their mandatory Update Course:
| BIC CE Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| BIC Update Course | 4 (counts as mandatory Update) |
| Elective CE | 4 |
| Total | 8 |
Note: The BIC Update counts as the mandatory Update course, so BICs don't need additional hours beyond the standard 8.
CE Deadline
| Deadline | Detail |
|---|---|
| CE Completion | Before June 10 |
| License Renewal | By June 30 |
| Late Period | July 1 - June 30 (following year) |
Renewal Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Renewal (by June 10) | $45 |
| Late Renewal (June 11-30) | $45 + late fee |
| Reinstatement (expired) | Additional fees apply |
Post-License Education (Provisional Brokers)
Provisional brokers have additional education requirements beyond annual CE:
90-Hour Requirement
| Course | Hours | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Post-License 301 | 30 | First 18 months |
| Post-License 302 | 30 | First 18 months |
| Post-License 303 | 30 | Within 3 years |
| Total | 90 | 3 years from initial license |
Critical: Failure to complete post-license education results in license going INACTIVE.
License Status Types
| Status | Meaning | Can Practice? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Current, under BIC or independent | Yes |
| Provisional | Active but requires BIC supervision | Yes (under BIC only) |
| Inactive | Valid but not affiliated/CE lapsed | No |
| Expired | Not renewed, license terminated | No |
| Suspended | Disciplinary action | No |
| Revoked | Permanently cancelled | No |
Inactive Status
A license becomes inactive when:
- Broker voluntarily goes inactive
- CE requirements not completed
- Post-license education not completed
- Not affiliated with a BIC (provisional brokers)
To reactivate:
- Complete any outstanding CE
- Affiliate with a BIC (if provisional)
- Pay reinstatement fees
- Submit activation request to NCREC
Expired License Reinstatement
| Situation | Reinstatement Requirement |
|---|---|
| Expired less than 6 months | Complete CE, pay fees |
| Expired 6 months - 2 years | Complete additional education, pay fees |
| Expired more than 2 years | May need to retake prelicense course and exam |
Reciprocity
North Carolina has no true reciprocity with other states. Out-of-state licensees must:
- Complete full 75-hour prelicense course
- Pass both portions of the NC exam
- Meet all other licensing requirements
Note: Some education may be credited toward NC requirements on a case-by-case basis.
How many hours of continuing education are required annually for North Carolina brokers?
When do North Carolina real estate licenses expire?
What happens if a provisional broker does not complete the 90-hour post-license education within 3 years?