Acquiring a real estate license is a complex process requiring education, application fees, and renewals. The complete real estate license cost in NC will include many different fees and costs for courses. Let’s look at a breakdown of the different costs when you decide to get a real estate license in North Carolina.
Cost to Get a North Carolina Real Estate License
Cost can be intimidating when considering getting your real estate license, but with diligence and determination, it should not be too challenging a process.
Real Estate Pre-License Course Costs – $400 to $900
To become a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina, one must successfully complete a minimum 75-hour pre-licensing course taught by instructors approved by the NC Real Estate Commission. These classes cover topics such as basic real estate law and finance as well as brokerage activities such as closing transactions, property valuation, and management.
You will likely pay $400 to $900 for your pre-licensing course, depending on the provider you choose. Some packages will come with exam prep and might include your post-licensing course or some continuing education courses.
This course offers both in-person and online formats to fit the learning style and budget needs of its participants. Livestream instruction or self-paced online options may be selected depending on personal preference and available budget resources.
Livestream options may be beneficial for those with limited time and an inflexible schedule who want to access instructors quickly – something not always possible when taking an entirely online course. Or you could opt for self-paced options with video lectures and quizzes designed specifically to prepare you for taking the NC real estate license exam.
After successfully completing an NC real estate pre-license course, you will be issued a provisional broker license that allows you to practice as a real estate agent under the supervision of a licensed broker. Typically this involves joining a reputable firm/brokerage that will serve as both employers and provide supervision of practice.
Real Estate Application Fee – $100
When you have completed your pre-licensing course, you will need to apply for a real estate agent in North Carolina. It’s necessary to pay a $100 fee when you apply, which can be done online through the NCREC website.
Fingerprinting and Background Check Fee – $17.50
Before applying for a license in North Carolina, the Real Estate Commission requires you to undergo both a criminal background check and fingerprinting – the fee for a criminal background check is $17.50.
Background checks in North Carolina (NC) are an integral component of the licensing process, as they demonstrate your dedication and demonstrate you have done your homework in pursuit of becoming a real estate broker. Furthermore, background checks provide the Commission with a list of individuals with histories of criminal conduct who could pose threats or misconduct within your brokerage company.
Real Estate License Exam Fee – $64 per attempt
An important step toward becoming a licensed real estate agent in North Carolina, taking the real estate license exam requires passing both national and state portions. Each section contains different sets of questions that will test your knowledge about real estate across both regions.
You will need to pay a $64 fee when you take the real estate license exam in North Carolina. If you don’t pass the exam, this fee will be paid again for each attempt.
Once you receive an Exam Eligibility Letter from the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC), begin studying for your exam as soon as possible. You have 180 days to take and pass both national and state sections of it.
PSI administers the North Carolina real estate license exam, which consists of two parts. The National Part covers topics relevant to real estate in both North Carolina and nationally, while its State Part is more specific to North Carolina.
The total cost of getting a real estate license in NC will range from about $600 to $1,100. The bulk of the cost will be your pre-licensing course.
