North Carolina Real Estate Continuing Education Salesperson Courses

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:

1. Log in to the NCREC online system to renew your license. Select your login: Broker Login or Broker-in-Charge Login.
2. Click "Renew Your License"
3. Review and update your contact information
4. Complete the renewal application
5. Review your application and CE record
6. 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.