North Carolina Real Estate License Requirements (2025): Provisional Broker
How to get a North Carolina provisional broker license — 75-hour prelicense, NCREC application, exam, and the postlicensing pathway.
North Carolina uses a unique two-tier licensing system. New licensees start as provisional brokers and complete postlicensing education to become full brokers. Here's the complete 2025 guide.
Eligibility Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien with a Social Security number
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Must demonstrate good moral character
- No recent felony convictions (case-by-case review for prior criminal history)
Step 1: Complete the 75-Hour Prelicense Course
Complete a NCREC-approved 75-hour course: - Real estate principles and practices - NC real estate license law (Chapter 93A) - Agency relationships and disclosure (BRRETA equivalent) - Contracts and closings - Fair housing
Cost: $200-$500 online; classroom courses available End-of-course exam: Pass the school's final exam
Step 2: Apply to NCREC
Submit your application at ncrec.gov: - Online application - Application fee: $100 - Criminal history disclosure - Fingerprinting for background check: arranged through IdentoGo
Step 3: Pass the State Exam
Schedule through PSI after receiving NCREC eligibility approval: - 120 questions (80 national + 40 NC state) - 3.5 hours - 75% passing score (90/120) - Exam fee: $64
Score is reported immediately. If you fail, you can retake after scheduling again.
Step 4: Activate Your Provisional Broker License
Your license is issued as "provisional broker — inactive." To practice: 1. Find a licensed NC broker to supervise you 2. The supervising broker files activation paperwork with NCREC 3. Your license becomes active as a provisional broker
Step 5: Complete 90 Hours of Postlicensing Education
Within 18 months of your license issuance, complete 3 NCREC-approved postlicensing courses (30 hours each): - Post-Licensing 301: Broker Relationships and Responsibilities - Post-Licensing 302: Contracts and Closings - Post-Licensing 303: Investment Properties
Cost: $300-$600 for all three courses
If you don't complete postlicensing within 18 months, your provisional broker license expires.
After completing all 90 hours, your designation automatically changes to broker (full).
Annual Continuing Education
All active NC brokers (including provisional brokers) must complete 8 hours of continuing education annually before June 10: - 4 hours mandatory (NCREC-developed general update course) - 4 hours elective
CE fee: Included in the course cost; typically $50-$100/year
Annual license renewal fee: $45
[Start practicing at CARealestate.com/states/north-carolina](https://carealestate.com/states/north-carolina)
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