Like most states, North Carolina requires you to renew your real estate license. It isn't too complicated of a process, and it will help keep your real estate knowledge up to date with an ever-evolving market. This guide will teach you when and how to renew your real estate license in North Carolina
When to Renew Your North Carolina Real Estate License
North Carolina requires you to renew your real estate license every year. North Carolina real estate licenses expire on June 30th each year, so it is important that you complete the renewal process before this date. You can begin the renewal process as early as May 15th.
How to Renew Your North Carolina Real Estate License
The real estate license renewal process in North Carolina is as simple as completing the required coursework and paying the renewal costs. You have to take 8 hours of continuing education credits each year. For provisional and non-BIC brokers, this includes:
The General Update Course (four hours), also known as GENUP.
A Commission-approved elective course (four hours)
A BIC or a BIC-eligible broker (that is, they are applying to become a BIC) also has an eight-hour requirement. They need to take:
The Broker-in-Charge Update Course (four hours), also know as BICUP
A Commission-approved elective course (four hours)
Licensees must satisfy the continuing education requirement by June 10 of each annual license period (which is July 1 – June 30) in order to renew their license. There is no CE offered between June 11-June 30.
Newly licensed brokers DO NOT have to complete any continuing education for their first license renewal. Each subsequent renewal, however, will require the 8 hours of CE credits.
Once the continuing education requirements have been met, you can renew your license on the NCREC website starting on May 15th.
Go to the NCREC website and login to your record using your PIN. Unless you have changed it, this is set as the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.
Pay the $45 renewal fee online with a credit or debit card.
Note: You can also pay the renewal fee via check by including it when you return the renewal postcard that NCREC sends you. However, you must send it so that it can be received by NCREC before the June 30 deadline.
How to Renew an Expired North Carolina Real Estate License
If you let your license expire, the requirements to reinstate it will depend on how long it has been expired.
License expired for less than 6 months:
Go to the NCREC homepage.
Click “Reinstate Your License”
Log in using your license number and PIN (last 4 of your SSN unless you have changed it)
Answer the required questions
Pay a $90 reinstatement fee
Note that in order to regain an active license status, aLicense Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08) must also be submitted.
License expired for 6 months but no more than 2 years:
Option 1:
Complete a 30-hour post-licensing course within 6 months of submitting the reinstatement application.
Submit the reinstatement application along with a $90 application fee and all required documents, including a criminal background check.
Option 2:
Submit the reinstatement application along with a $90 application fee and all required documents, including a criminal background check.
Pass the National and State sections of the licensing exam.
License expired for more than 2 years:
If your license has been expired for more than 2 years, you must essentially start the pre-licensing process over, which includes completing an approved 75-hour pre-licensing course, submitting the application, and passing the National and State sections of the licensing exam.