Frequently Asked Questions
North Carolina
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In general, any person or business entity that transacts real estate brokerage business (including time share transactions) for compensation as an agent for others must first obtain a real estate license issued by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, even those actively licensed in other states or jurisdictions.
The North Carolina Real Estate Commission, an independent state agency, is responsible for licensing and regulating all real estate brokers in the state.
Operating as a real estate broker in North Carolina (NC) without the proper license is a criminal offense.
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No!
License applicants must successfully complete the North Carolina Broker Prelicensing Course containing at least 75 instructional hours with a mandatory end-of-course examination provided by a Commission-certified Education Provider.
An applicant may also apply based on education and/or real estate brokerage experience that the Commission finds equivalent to such a course
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Every applicant for a real estate license has the burden of satisfying the Commission that the applicant possesses the honesty, truthfulness, integrity, good moral character, and general fitness, including mental and emotional fitness, necessary to protect the public interest and promote public confidence in the real estate brokerage business.
To enable the Commission to render its decision regarding an applicant’s character expeditiously, the applicant should submit with the application all information relating to criminal offenses (including serious traffic offenses), professional licensure disciplinary actions, and liens/unpaid judgments.
Full disclosure and explanation of every problem relating to these matters is expected and highly recommended!
Nondisclosure of such information will only increase an applicant’s burden of proving truthfulness, honesty, and integrity. description
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To qualify for an individual real estate broker license, an applicant must:
1) Be at least 18 years of age;
2) Be a United States citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien under federal law, or have a lawful presence in the U.S. and be authorized to work in the U.S. in the real estate brokerage field. [Note: A holder of a U.S. Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) is a “qualified alien.” Work authorization in the U.S. for most other aliens (including DACA) requires a U.S. immigration visa (rather than a visitor visa) and/ or an Employment Authorization Document from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service that permits work in the real estate brokerage field.];
3) Have a Social Security Number;
4) Satisfy one of the Education Qualification or Experience Options;
5) File a complete application with a $100 application fee;
6) Pass the two-part real estate license examination; and
7) Satisfy the Commission that the applicant possesses the requisite character for licensure.
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All Provisional Brokers must satisfy the Postlicensing education requirement of 90 instructional hours of Postlicensing education within 18 months of initial licensure to remain eligible for active license status.
The postlicensing education program is divided into three 30-hour Postlicensing courses titled as follows:
Post 301: Broker Relationships and Responsibilities
Post 302: Contracts and Closing Post
303: NC Law, Rules, and Legal Concepts.
In addition to the POST licensing Requirement, each broker shall complete the Continuing Education (CE) requirement of eight (8) hours per annual license period, including the General Update Course (4 hours) plus one 4-hour Commission-approved elective course.
Licensees must satisfy the Continuing Education requirement by June 10 of each annual license period (July 1 – June 30) to renew their licenses on active status
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To meet your individual needs, we offer classes in-person, virtually online (Zoom), and self-paced on-demand
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We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
South Carolina
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SECTION 40-57-20. Valid Licensure Requirement for Real Estate Brokers, Salespersons, and Property Managers.
It is unlawful for an individual to act as a real estate broker, real estate associate, or real estate property manager, or to advertise or provide services as such, without an active, valid license issued by the commission. -
Licensure Requirements:
A person is qualified to receive an associate license when the following requirements are met:
1. Be at least 18 years of age or older.
2. Have graduated high school or hold certificate of equivalency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
3. Unless an exemption applies, all applicants must complete 60 hours of classroom education, Unit I Fundamentals of Real Estate, and an additional 30 hours of classroom education, Unit II Advanced Real Estate Principle Course.
• Pre-Licensing Education Exemptions:
i. Applicant with a law degree (A juris doctor degree or a Bachelor of Law degree).
ii. Applicant with a bachelor or higher degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university.
iii. Georgia reciprocity applicant that has been licensed by a written exam.
iv. North Carolina reciprocity applicant:
a. A NC Provisional Broker may apply for a SC associate license with proof of completing 90 hours of NC post-licensing education or 90 hours or SC prelicensing education; or
b. A NC Broker may apply for a SC associate license.
4. Complete the Commission-approved fingerprint and social security number background checks.
5. Successfully pass the national and state examinations.
• Exemptions:
i. An applicant with an active license in another jurisdiction or whose license in another jurisdiction has not been expired for more than six months will only be required to take the State exam, OR
ii. A Georgia reciprocity applicant is not required to take any examinations.
iii. A North Carolina reciprocity applicant is required to take the SC state exam. description
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Yes
License applicants must have successfully graduated from high school or completed GED certification or a US equivalency
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Once the Commission is in receipt of your application, information on attaining the required background checks will be emailed. The Commission requires completion of two background checks:
• Fingerprint based check.
• Social security number check.
Do not complete the background check process until you receive instructions from the Commission. Applications cannot be approved until both background reports have been received and reviewed by the Commission office.
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In accordance with S.C. Code of Laws Section 8-29-10 and an SC Attorney General Opinion dated March 3, 2014, DACA status recipients are not able to receive a professional license in South Carolina.
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South Carolina currently only has reciprocity with the following states:
Georgia
North Carolina
To qualify for licensure through Reciprocity with any of the listed states above, you must contact that state's Commission, complete that state's appropriate forms, and satisfy that state's requirements for licensure as outlined in the reciprocal agreements.
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Continuing Education Requirements are due during the open renewal period (April-June of the expiry year).
Active Associate and Broker licensees will need a total of 10 hours of continuing education (4 hours must be the mandatory/core course, and the remaining 6 hours may be elective course hours)
Active Broker-in-Charge licensees are required to have the mandatory BIC Duties and Responsibilities course (4 hours), the mandatory core course (4 hours), and 2 hours of electives
Active Property Manager, Property Manager-in-Charge, and Timeshare Salesperson are not required to take continuing education
Inactive licensees-CE will not be required until the licensee reactivates licensure. Continuing Education is required for any non-exempt Salesperson or Broker before "active" biennial renewal