North Carolina Real Estate Exam Topics: Full Breakdown (2025)

North Carolina's provisional broker exam has 120 questions. Here's the breakdown of what's tested.

National Section: 80 Questions

Property Ownership (10-12 questions) - Fee simple, life estates, leasehold - Concurrent ownership (joint tenancy, tenancy in common) - Easements, liens, covenants, deed restrictions - Title issues: cloud on title, adverse possession, marketable title

Land Use and Government Powers (6-8 questions) - Zoning (residential, commercial, industrial), variances, spot zoning - Eminent domain and condemnation - Environmental issues: lead paint, asbestos, radon, underground storage tanks, wetlands

Valuation and Appraisal (10-12 questions) - Three approaches: sales comparison, cost, income - Capitalization rate, GRM - USPAP standards - Comparative Market Analysis vs. formal appraisal

Financing (12-15 questions) - Loan types: conventional, FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% down), USDA - TRID timeline: Loan Estimate within 3 business days of application; Closing Disclosure 3 business days before closing - Loan-to-Value, PMI, amortization - NC uses deed of trust (not mortgage) — lender is beneficiary, borrower is trustor, trustee holds title

Agency (8-10 questions) - Types of agency, fiduciary duties - Dual agency and designated agency - Termination of agency

Contracts (12-15 questions) - Valid, void, voidable, unenforceable - Offer and acceptance, counteroffer rules - Statute of Frauds - Remedies for breach

Fair Housing (8-10 questions) - 7 federal classes; NC adds marital status - Steering, blockbusting, redlining - Accessibility requirements for new multi-family construction

North Carolina-Specific Section: 40 Questions

NC License Law — Chapter 93A (12-15 questions) - License types: provisional broker, broker, broker-in-charge (BIC) - NCREC composition: 9 members (7 brokers + 2 consumers) - Prelicense: 75-hour course - Postlicensing: 90 hours in 3 courses (30 hours each) within 18 months - Continuing education: 8 hours/year (4 mandatory hours + 4 elective hours) - Violations and disciplinary procedures

Agency in NC (8-10 questions) - Default presumption: seller's agent (without written buyer agency agreement) - Written buyer agency agreement required for buyer representation - Dual agency: permitted with written disclosure and consent - Designated agency: within same firm, different agents represent each party

Working with Real Estate Agents Brochure (3-5 questions) - Must be provided at first substantial contact - Explains agency options available in NC - Failure to provide is a license law violation

Disclosure Requirements (4-6 questions) - Residential Property Disclosure Statement (required in most transactions) - Mineral and Oil and Gas Rights Mandatory Disclosure (since 2012) - Lead paint disclosure (pre-1978 housing) - NCREC Owners Association Disclosure

Real Estate Education and Recovery Fund (3-4 questions) - Purpose: compensate victims of licensee misconduct - Maximum per transaction: $50,000 - Lifetime maximum per licensee: $150,000 - Effect: NCREC automatically suspends licensee's license when claim is paid until repaid

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