How to Get Your North Carolina Real Estate License

A Complete, Real-World Guide for Future Agents

If you’re thinking about becoming a real estate agent in North Carolina, this guide walks you step-by-step through the entire licensing process — from registering for pre-licensing school to passing both exams, completing your background check, and activating your license under a sponsoring broker.

This isn’t just a copy-and-paste list from a government website.
This is the real process, explained by someone who has lived it, taught it, and mentored others through it — including those with complicated pasts or character concerns.

1. Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the NC real estate license, you must:

• Be 18 years or older

• Have a valid Social Security number

• Be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or legally authorized to work in the U.S.

• Be able to meet NCREC’s “good character” requirement

There is no college or high school diploma requirement. What matters most is honesty, integrity, and compliance.

2. Complete the 75-Hour NCREC-Approved Pre-Licensing Course

Your first official step is enrolling in the state-required 75-hour Broker Pre-Licensing Course through an NCREC-approved school (online or in person).

This course teaches the foundational topics you’ll need for the exam and your real estate career:

• Real estate law & contracts

• Brokerage relationships

• Fair housing

• Agency duties

• Property ownership

• Transfer of title

• Closings

• NC-specific rules

Once you complete the course and pass the school exam, your completion is automatically reported to NCREC so you can move forward to application and testing.

3. Order Your Mandatory Criminal Background Report (Honesty Is Critical)

Before applying for your license, you must order a criminal background report through NCREC’s approved vendor only (CRC).

This report includes:

• All names/aliases you’ve used

• All counties/states you’ve lived in

• All criminal convictions (misdemeanors + felonies)

• Serious traffic offenses such as DWI

Important:

A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you.
But failing to disclose something will.

This is where many people panic — and where I bring a unique perspective.

⚡ A Personal Note: My Own Character Review Experience

Years ago, when I applied for my license, my past was… complicated. I wasn’t perfect, and my background raised questions. Because of this, I was asked to meet with the Commission to explain my history.

It was intimidating — but it was also life-changing.

What I learned in that room has become one of the most powerful tools I now use to mentor new agents:

✨ The Commission isn’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for honesty, accountability, and growth.

I answered their questions truthfully, owned my past, and showed them who I had become — not who I once was. And I was approved.

Because of that experience, I can confidently guide anyone through character concerns, documentation, and what to expect during a review. You don’t have to navigate it alone.

4. Submit Your License Application

Once your background report is ordered and your school has reported your course completion, you can submit your official application through the NCREC portal.

If your background is clean and no character issues exist, you’ll be cleared automatically for the exam.

If there are concerns, NCREC may request additional documentation or a character conference.

Either way — there is a path forward.

5. Pass BOTH the National and State Licensing Exams

NC real estate candidates must pass two separate exams administered by Pearson VUE:

✔ 1. The National Exam (80 Questions)

Covers general real estate principles:

• Contracts

• Federal laws

• Finance

• Real estate math

• Agency

• Property valuation

• Title & ownership

• Fair housing

✔ 2. The North Carolina State Exam (60 Questions)

Covers NC-specific rules and laws:

• NC Real Estate License Law

• NCREC rules

• Trust accounting

• Agency duties

• Advertising

• Disclosures

• State contracts

• Brokerage procedures

You must pass BOTH exams to receive a provisional broker license.

If you pass one portion and fail the other, you only retake the portion you failed, not the entire exam. You have 180 days from eligibility approval to pass both sections.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t pass on the first attempt — many successful agents didn’t either.

6. Affiliate With a Sponsoring Broker (This Activates Your License)

Even after passing the exams, your license is inactive until you join a brokerage and a Broker-in-Charge activates it.

This is where I step in.

I Sponsor Agents at Real Broker, LLC

I also have experience across multiple brokerages throughout my career — so I know how onboarding works in different models.

When you affiliate with me, I help you with:

• Onboarding

• Understanding transactions & compliance

• Lead generation strategies

• Branding

• Business planning

• Navigating NCREC expectations

• Real-world mentorship most agents never get

Whether you’re brand new or transitioning from another career, I’ll walk you through every step.

7. Complete Your 90 Hours of Post-Licensing Education

As a new Provisional Broker, you must complete:

• 3 Post-Licensing Courses

• 30 hours each

• Total: 90 hours

• Deadline: 18 months from the date your license is issued

These courses cover:

• NC Law & Rules

• Contracts & Closings

• Broker Responsibilities

Failing to complete post-licensing on time will place your license on inactive status.

I help my agents stay organized so they never miss deadlines.

8. Annual Continuing Education (CE) and Renewal

After completing post-licensing, you must complete:

• 8 hours of Continuing Education each year

  • 4-hour General Update

  • 4-hour Elective

• License renewal by June 30 every year

This keeps your license active and compliant.

If You Want to Become a Real Estate Agent, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

I’ve lived every side of this journey:

✔ Student
✔ Exam taker
✔ Agent
✔ Someone with a past who had to explain it
✔ Successful broker
✔ Sponsoring mentor
✔ Coach helping new agents get licensed and build income

Whether your background is complicated or clean — you deserve a mentor who knows the real process and can guide you through it with confidence.

**📲 Ready to Start Your Licensing Journey?

Let Me Sponsor You at Real Broker, LLC**

Follow me on social media @JessicaJBRealtor and check out the “For Real Estate Agents” section of my blog for:

• Licensing guidance

• Exam prep tips

• Rule changes

• Real Broker insights

• Compliance breakdowns

• Lead-generation training

• Real-world, actionable advice

When you’re ready, reach out — I’ll help you every step of the way.

📞 Ready to Take the Next Step? Let’s Talk.

If you’re serious about becoming a licensed real estate agent in North Carolina — whether you’re just exploring the idea or ready to jump into pre-licensing — I’d love to talk with you, answer your questions, and help you map out the smartest path forward.

You are welcome to reach out anytime:

📲 Call or text: (336) 567-5843
📧 Email: jessicajbrealtor@gmail.com
📅 Schedule a time with me: https://calendly.com/jessicajbrealtor

Whether you need guidance on pre-licensing schools, exam prep, navigating character review, or choosing the right brokerage to grow your business, I’m here to help you do this confidently and correctly — from day one.

Let’s build your career the right way.