How to Renew Your North Carolina Real Estate License
North Carolina real estate Brokers must renew their licenses annually
through the NCREC Broker Online Licensing System. The license cycle runs
from July 1 through June 30 each year. To renew, you must complete the
required continuing education (CE) and submit your renewal before your
license expires.
Step 1: Complete the Required Continuing Education
North Carolina requires 8 hours of CE each year.
Your CE must include:
- 4 hours of approved elective courses
-
4-hour Update course:
- General Update (GENUP), or
-
Broker-in-Charge Update (BICUP) if you are BIC-eligible
All courses must be approved by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission
(NCREC).
The Update course must be completed live in a classroom or webinar format.
Elective courses may be taken online, in person, or via webinar.
Important: All CE must be completed by June 10 at 11:59 PM EST. No
continuing education courses are offered between June 11 and June 30.
Step 2: Verify Your Course Completions
Brokers can log into the
NCREC Broker Online Licensing
System, and Brokers-in-Charge can log in through the
NCREC Broker-in-Charge Login
page
to view CE and license status.
After logging in, select "CE License Information" and confirm that both
your Update and elective hours show "4" in your CE record.
Course providers report your completed courses to NCREC, typically within
7 days of completion.
Step 3: Complete Your License Renewal
North Carolina real estate licenses are renewed online through the NCREC
Broker Online Licensing System. The renewal period opens May 15 and closes
June 30.
If you do not complete your CE by June 10, you must still renew your
license by June 30. Your license will be placed on inactive status on July
1 until CE requirements are met.
To renew your license:
-
Log in to the NCREC online system to renew your license. Select your
login:
Broker Login
or
Broker-in-Charge
Login.
- Click "Renew Your License"
- Review and update your contact information
- Complete the renewal application
- Review your application and CE record
- Submit payment and finalize your renewal
After submitting, you will receive confirmation of your renewal. You will
also be able to download your new digital pocket card immediately after
completing the renewal process.
Additional Tips
-
Renewal Timing: You may renew your license between May 15 and
June 30. You must renew before your license expiration date to maintain
active status.
-
CE Timing: All continuing education must be completed by June 10.
-
Inactive License: If CE is not completed by June 10, your license
will become inactive on July 1, even if you have renewed.
-
Expired License: You may not engage in real estate brokerage
activities after your license has expired. You must renew your license
by June 30 to maintain active status.
-
Late Renewal: If the renewal application is submitted after the
expiration date, a $100 late fee is required in addition to the renewal
fee. Your license must be renewed within six months of expiration.
-
First Renewal / Postlicensing: New licensees may be exempt from
CE for their first renewal cycle but must still renew and pay the fee.
Provisional Brokers must complete Postlicensing education within 18
months of initial licensure to maintain active status.
-
BIC Status: If your license becomes inactive or you take the
wrong Update course, you may lose Broker-in-Charge eligibility or
designation.
-
License Status: You can check your license status and CE record
through the
NCREC Broker Online
Licensing System.
-
Renewal Responsibility: You are responsible for renewing your
license on time, even if you do not receive a renewal notice from the
Commission.