Now Is The Time to Renew Your License

By Mary Frances Whitley, Director of Administration

The deadline of June 30 for renewing your broker or salesperson license is approaching rapidly. It's not a date you want to miss, especially if you're a broker-in-charge. To help you expedite the process, the Commission has introduced online renewal through its web site. The combination of convenience, speed and ease is unbeatable. You'll be done in minutes.

If you wish, however, you can still renew by mail. Just be certain to allow time for your renewal form and payment to reach the Commission's office by June 30. Otherwise, your license will expire.

Renewal Instructions
  1. Complete your renewal application form (to have been mailed to you on May 11, 2001).
  2. Return it and your $35 fee to the Commission at the address on the application.
  1. Go to the Commission's web site at www.ncrec.state.nc.us.
  2. Click on "Licensees Only" in the menu at the bottom of the page.
  3. Enter your real estate license number and your PIN (the last four digits of your Social Security number initially and easily changed to a number of your choice once your individual record comes up on the screen).
  4. Provide your Visa or MasterCard number and address information.
  5. Wait while the system processes your card and gives you a confirmation on the screen.
  6. Print out the confirmation. A Pocket Renewal Card will arrive in the mail as verification.
  7. (Optional, but a good idea) - Update your residence and email addresses and fax number, and check your continuing education credits.

Either way, mail or internet, do it now and you're done. Your broker-in-charge (who has responsibility for seeing that all licenses are renewed in the office) will appreciate your punctuality.

Avoid Consequences

But, wait and be late and here are the consequences:

If you are a Broker-in-Charge, your failure to renew your own individual license or to complete the required continuing education will cause the license status of all salespersons under your supervision to become Inactive. When that happens, the Commission's record for each salesperson will be changed to his or her residence address. All brokers will remain on Active Status, but their addresses will also be changed to their residence.

Furthermore, because there is no Broker-In-Charge, the office cannot engage in the business of real estate brokerage.

Return to Normal Operations

Once a new BIC is designated or the former BIC completes license renewal and required continuing education, a new Broker-In-Charge Declaration form and activation forms for each agent associated with the office must be filed with the Commission to update all of the records.

If you were designated Broker-In-Charge prior to October 1, 2000, your change of status from either Expired or Inactive will require you to take the BIC course within 90 days of re-designation. Similarly, failure of a principal broker to renew or obtain continuing education affects all licensees associated with the firm.

As an ongoing procedure, every salesperson and broker receives notice from the Commission whenever there is a change in records including those of the individuals' broker-in-charge that affect their license status.

Keep in mind that failure to complete continuing education requirements is no reason not to renew your license. Your license simply changes to Inactive Status until you do obtain the necessary continuing education credits.