What is the cost of obtaining an NC provisional broker license?
Fee for your license application is $100 and the license examination fee is $64. These fees will both be collected every time you attempt one or both sections of the license exam. The application fee is paid to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission with your application, while the $64 exam fee is paid directly to PSI when scheduling your exam. If you fail your exam, you may be eligible to register for retaking the exam and paying the fees using PSI’s “one-stop” process which enables you to avoid completing an entire application again and expedites the scheduling of a subsequent exam.
You will also need to pay for your 75-hour pre-licensing coursework in order to meet the requirements for approval to take the licensing exam and be issued your license. The cost of this course varies considerably from school to school, although online courses tend to cost less than in-classroom courses.
Once you have received your license, it will stay in provisional status until you complete the necessary 90 hours of post-license coursework within 18 months following the granting of your license.
You will also need to pay for a criminal background check. If you have lived in North Carolina for the past seven years, the fee will likely be less than $30. However, if you have lived in multiple states or gone through a name change, you can expect the fee to be considerably higher.
The total estimated minimum cost of obtaining your license is therefore $194 plus your cost of required educational coursework. The cost will increase if you fail your exam and must retake it.
Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with obtaining your North Carolina real estate broker license:
Have in mind that most of these costs are spread over time and you will not need the full amount upfront.
RealEstateU's Pre-Licensing Course: 249
License application fee: $100/ attempt (paid to NC Real Estate Commission)
License examination fee: $64/attempt (paid to PSI).
Criminal background check: $30
Total cost: $443
Related FAQs
Unlike many states, North Carolina only offers broker licenses. However, there are multiple categories of broker licenses. Most new licensees will start their real estate careers at the entry-level license status of provisional brokers.
There is not a minimum education requirement to apply for a real estate license. You do not need to have a high school diploma to apply for a real estate broker license in North Carolina.
If you already hold a real estate license from another state, U.S. territory or Canadian jurisdiction, and your current license—such as a real estate salesperson license—is equivalent to North Carolina’s provisional broker license, you can apply for a provisional broker license in North Carolina.
Yes, providing your Social Security number is mandatory in making your application. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission is required by law to collect your Social Security number, but the law says it must also protect it from public access or improper disclosure.
You can receive a license, but it will be inactive and you will be unable to engage in real estate activities on your own. You will need a broker-in-charge to sign and submit an affiliation form to the Commission before your license can be activated.
As an applicant, you must obtain and submit a criminal record report with your application. In addition, you will be required to answer three character questions when completing your application.
In order to apply for a provisional broker license in North Carolina, you must meet the following three requirements. - Be age 18 or older - Be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national or a qualified alien under federal law, or have a lawful presence in the U.S. - Have a Social Security number
If you are found to have a character issue including criminal offenses, professional licensure disciplinary action, and liens or unpaid judgments the North Carolina Real Estate Commission will review your application. Character issues are considered on a case by case basis. A decision is usually rendered within 45 days
Here are the costs to obtain your NC license: Pre-Licensing Course: 249 License application fee: $100/ attempt (paid to NC Real Estate Commission) License examination fee: $64/attempt (paid to PSI). Criminal background check: $30 Total cost: $443
For the quickest service, you should make your application online at the North Carolina Real Estate Commission’s website. Applying via postal mail will cause a delay in review of your application.
An attorney may receive a waiver of the required 75-hour pre-license coursework. A request to waive this education requirement should be made in writing and included with the application for license. In addition, a transcript and copy of your law degree must be included with the application for licensure.
You will need to take a final course exam for your 75-hour pre-license required coursework, as well as the North Carolina real estate license exam. The state license exam consists of two distinct sections: a national portion and a state portion.
1. Complete your 75-hour pre-license education requirement or qualify to waive the pre-license education requirement. 2. Submit a complete license application. 3. Schedule your exam. 4. Pass the state exam. 5. Receive your license and activate it.
Yes, there is a character assessment as part of the broker license application process. You will need to answer three questions related to criminal offenses (including serious traffic offenses), professional licensure disciplinary actions and liens/unpaid judgments at the time you make your application.
The three questions are: 1. Have you EVER been convicted of any criminal offense (felony or misdemeanor) 2. Have you EVER been denied a real estate or other professional license or been disciplined by an occupational licensing agency 3. Are there any liens or unpaid judgments now outstanding against you?