Applicants


Application Process Overview

Any person or business engaging in real estate transactions as an agent for another (including time share transactions) must first obtain a license from the Commission.

The process for obtaining a license by examination is:

  1. Applicant completes required real estate course or otherwise satisfies prelicense requirements.
  2. Applicant files application form and fee with Commission.
  3. Commission determines applicant's eligibility for licensing examination and sends qualified applicants a notice of examination eligibility.
  4. Applicant contacts testing service to pay examination fee and schedule examination.

Additional Information

The North Carolina Real Estate Manual is available for online purchase.

Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina, which is free of charge and contains the license application, may be ordered online.

The North Carolina Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules (including the Trust Account Guidelines and Comments on the Law and Rules) is available for online purchase.

A list of Commission-approved schools offering real estate prelicensing and postlicensing courses is available (PDF).

An exam study guide to the license law and Commission rules is available (PDF).

North Carolina has reciprocal licensing arrangements with a number of other states. More information on reciprocity.

Application Forms

1. Apply for a broker license by examination online. (NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS ONLY)

2. Request application forms to be sent to you via U.S. Mail by sending an email to the Commission at publications@ncrec.gov. Please state in your email whether you need an application for Broker or an application for Firm. Also include your U.S. Mail address.

Required Reading

Applicants who will take the license examination before the end of February 2012 click here to view the December 2011 version of Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina.

Applicants who will take the license examination in March 2012 or later click here to view the revised March 2012 version of Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina.