How to get a North Carolina real estate license
North Carolina real estate salesperson exam requirements: hours, vendor, national vs state portions, and how to prepare for the licensing exam — from the official commission.
- Salesperson hours
- 75 classroom hours (Broker Pre-Licensing Course); entry-level license is called 'Provisional Broker' and must complete 90 hours of postlicensing education within 18 months
- Broker requirement
- To become full 'Broker' (remove provisional status): complete the 90-hour postlicensing program. To become 'Broker-in-Charge': hold a full (non-provisional) broker license, 2 years full-time (or 4 years part-time) brokerage experience in the prior 5 years, and complete the Commission's 12-hour BIC course
- Exam vendor
- Pearson VUE — NCREC moved license exam administration to Pearson VUE effective March 1, 2024; exam is in-person only at Pearson VUE centers (140 questions, 4.5 hours)
- Exam structure
- 120 total scored questions — 80 national + 40 state portion, scored separately (plus ~10-15 unscored pretest items); 3.5 hours
- Passing
- 75% on each portion (60/80 national, 30/40 state)
Preparing for the North Carolina exam
PrepTempo's Salesperson and Broker courses cover the national portion — property, contracts, financing, agency, and practice — which is the same in North Carolina and the larger share of the exam. Study your North Carolina state-law portion from the commission on top of the core.
North Carolina real estate license FAQ
How many hours are required for a North Carolina real estate license?
75 classroom hours (Broker Pre-Licensing Course); entry-level license is called 'Provisional Broker' and must complete 90 hours of postlicensing education within 18 months
What does the North Carolina real estate salesperson exam cover?
120 total scored questions — 80 national + 40 state portion, scored separately (plus ~10-15 unscored pretest items); 3.5 hours
How do I become a realtor in North Carolina?
Complete required pre-license education (75 classroom hours (Broker Pre-Licensing Course); entry-level license is called 'Provisional Broker' and must complete 90 hours of postlicensing education within 18 months), pass the licensing exam (Pearson VUE — NCREC moved license exam administration to Pearson VUE effective March 1, 2024; exam is in-person only at Pearson VUE centers (140 questions, 4.5 hours); 120 total scored questions — 80 national + 40 state portion, scored separately (plus ~10-15 unscored pretest items); 3.5 hours), meet any broker affiliation rules, and apply through the North Carolina real estate commission. PrepTempo covers the national exam portion with free sample questions and free Chapter 1.
Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; confirm with the North Carolina real-estate commission. PrepTempo is not affiliated with any state commission or exam vendor.