Key Takeaways
- All new NC licensees are provisional brokers who must work under a broker-in-charge (BIC)
- Provisional brokers cannot operate independently and cannot supervise other licensees
- The broker-in-charge is responsible for supervising all affiliated brokers at an office
- Each real estate office must have a designated BIC who is present and available
- BICs must complete a 12-hour BIC course and annual 4-hour BIC Update for CE credit
Last updated: January 2026
Provisional Brokers and Broker-in-Charge Supervision
North Carolina's licensing structure places significant emphasis on supervision of new licensees.
License Types in North Carolina
Broker Classifications
| License Type | Authority | Supervision Required |
|---|---|---|
| Provisional Broker | Must work under BIC | Yes - by BIC |
| Full Broker | Can work independently or under BIC | Optional |
| Broker-in-Charge (BIC) | Can supervise others, handle trust funds | Supervises others |
Provisional Broker
A provisional broker is a newly licensed broker who:
- Has completed prelicense education and passed the exam
- Must be supervised by a broker-in-charge
- Cannot work independently
- Cannot receive commission directly from clients
- Cannot supervise other brokers
- Must complete 90 hours of post-license education
Full Broker
A full broker has:
- Completed all post-licensing requirements
- Gained required experience OR additional education
- Can work independently (as sole proprietor)
- Can become a broker-in-charge with additional education
- Can work under a BIC voluntarily
Broker-in-Charge (BIC)
The broker-in-charge is the person responsible for:
- Supervising all brokers affiliated with an office
- Ensuring compliance with license law
- Maintaining trust accounts
- Reviewing contracts and documents
- Advertising and marketing oversight
- Record retention
BIC Requirements
To serve as a broker-in-charge:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| License Status | Must be a full broker (non-provisional) |
| Experience | 2 years full-time in past 5 years |
| Education | 12-hour Broker-in-Charge Course |
| Designation | Must be designated as BIC for specific office |
| Renewal CE | 4-hour BIC Update annually |
Supervision Requirements
BIC Responsibilities
The broker-in-charge must:
- Be reasonably available to supervise at the office
- Review contracts and ensure compliance
- Maintain and review all trust account records
- Supervise advertising by affiliated brokers
- Ensure proper disclosures are made
- Keep adequate records for at least 3 years
What Supervision Means
| Activity | BIC Must |
|---|---|
| Contract review | Review within reasonable time |
| Trust funds | Ensure proper handling and deposit |
| Advertising | Review and approve before publishing |
| Training | Ensure brokers are competent |
| Compliance | Monitor for license law violations |
Supervision Limitations
A BIC may supervise brokers at:
- One main office location
- Multiple office locations (with limitations)
- Remote brokers (with proper oversight)
Exam Tip: If a BIC leaves a firm, a new BIC must be designated or provisional brokers cannot continue to practice.
Office Requirements
Every real estate office in North Carolina must:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Designated BIC | Each office must have a designated BIC |
| Office Registration | Must be registered with NCREC |
| Trust Account | Must have trust/escrow account if holding funds |
| Record Retention | Minimum 3 years for transaction records |
| License Display | Licenses available for inspection |
Branch Offices
For branch office locations:
- Each branch must have a designated BIC
- The same person can be BIC of multiple locations
- Branch must be registered with NCREC
- Records can be maintained at main or branch office
Transferring Between Firms
When a provisional broker changes firms:
- Terminating BIC must notify NCREC
- New BIC must request affiliation
- Broker cannot practice between termination and new affiliation
- Pending transactions require coordination
The transfer is processed through NCREC's online system.
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Test Your Knowledge
In North Carolina, who can supervise a provisional broker?
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B
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D
Test Your Knowledge
What happens if a broker-in-charge leaves a real estate firm?
A
B
C
D