Reminder: Have you taken your CE for 2024-2025?

Link: https://youtu.be/QG1ppyOzz5Q

Reminder: Form Submission

I accidentally submitted a form to the Commission with inaccurate information. What do I need to do? 

Brokers who accidentally submit inaccurate/erroneous information should promptly try to correct the mistake.  

• Complete a new form and review the accuracy of the information in the form prior to submission. Do not use “autofill” in the form. 

• Do not email the wrong form back to the Commission. 

In general, you cannot stop the automatic processing of the form with erroneous information. The better option is to correct it with the new, accurate form.  

NOTE: Each form that is submitted to the Commission is processed separately by Commission staff. Further, the Commission expects brokers to submit the correct form related to the type of change they are requesting for their license record. At the beginning of each form, the Commission has provided a brief description of the form and the requirements for completion. It is essential that brokers read the forms thoroughly to ensure that they are affiliating or terminating with the correct brokerage, and/or designating themselves as BIC of appropriate entities while not affecting the affiliations of other brokers.

Reminder: Instructor Submission of Equivalent Credit

Have you taught the Update Course for 2024-2025? Have you developed an approved CE course or taught an approved CE course for the first time this license year? Have you submitted the Request for Continuing Education Equivalent Credit Form (7.13)?  

If not, and you want to receive equivalent credit, then you must submit the Request for Continuing Education Equivalent Credit Form (7.13) prior to June 17, 2025. Additionally, you must submit this form for the Update Course that you taught which coincides with your license status. 

If you have additional questions, please email educ@ncrec.gov. 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ZTDDhnzORCU

Reminder: Renew Your Instructor Approval

Have you completed your six hours of instructor development credit? 

Commission-approved instructors must complete six hours of real estate instructor educational programs each license year before renewing their instructor approval. The Guidelines for Instructional Educational Requirement (Form REC 3.78) detail the rule requirements, outline available education options, and offer links to these resources. It is advised to submit renewal applications for instructor approval well in advance of June 30th to ensure prompt processing. For further inquiries, please consult the Commission’s website.  

How To: License Renewal

We will review how to log in to your licensee record, read your continuing education record, and renew your North Carolina Real Estate license. To start the process, visit our website: ncrec.gov. On our website, click on the ‘Login’ button at the top right-hand corner of the homepage. Click on the dropdown and click on ‘Licensee.’ 

Now you are on the licensee login page. Log in to your North Carolina Real Estate Commission licensee account. You can log in with your license number and the last four digits of your social security number for your password, unless you have changed it to something else. Click ‘Login.’ 

Once you are logged in to your licensee account, you will see a menu of options. You can explore each page further. But today, we will first view the ‘CE license information’ tab. 

This page will show you the continuing education (CE) courses you’ve taken and if you have satisfied the CE credit requirement for the 2024-2025 license year. This is represented by the number four following the update course and elective statement. In order to renew your license on active status, you must complete eight hours of continuing education during each July 1 to June 10 license period, including the appropriate “Update” course and an elective. 

Once you’ve checked whether you have satisfied the CE requirements, go back to the licensee menu and click on ‘Renew Your License’. You can click and renew even if you haven’t met all the CE requirements yet.  

On the renewal page, proceed through the sections by clicking on the ‘Next’ key. 

You will need to verify that all your contact information is up to date. You will also need to provide the Employee Misclassification Disclosure and Certification. 

Click ‘Next’ to pay the $45.00 license renewal fee by VISA, Mastercard, AmEx, Discover, or PayPal. A printable confirmation of renewal will appear on your screen when the process is completed. If your renewal fee has not been received by the Commission by June 30, your license will EXPIRE. 

Are you an Education Provider looking for information on how to renew your EP Certification? Read this eBulletin article: Education Provider Certification Renewal Process: Step-by-Step 

Are you a Qualifying Broker looking for information on how to renew your firm license?  As the Qualifying Broker (QB) for your firm, it’s crucial to renew the firm’s real estate broker license annually between May 15^th-June 30th. According to Commission Rule 58A .0502(g)(2), the QB is responsible for this renewal. 

Failure to renew the firm’s license by the deadline results in significant administrative changes: 

• Brokers Associated with the Firm (not on provisional status): Their records will be updated to reflect their home addresses, effectively removing their association with the firm. 

• Provisional Brokers: They will be placed on inactive status, restricting their ability to engage in brokerage activities. 

These changes can disrupt your firm’s operations and the professional activities of your affiliated brokers. To avoid these complications, please ensure timely renewal of the firm’s license each year. 

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT

The Commission frequently sees complaints on the same issues. Here’s guidance on how to avoid some of what is most commonly reported: 

1. Lockbox Codes: DON’T share lockbox code with clients or unauthorized individuals. Granting access to a property without your presence is a violation. Obey your client, but not if it means breaking rules or laws. Do not share the code to a lockbox even if you are running late and plan to be there soon, if the property is presumed to be vacant, or even if the property is under contract and expected to close and the buyer wants one more look. Reschedule, have the client wait, or send another licensed broker. 

2. Limited-Service Agreements: Limited service agreements do not excuse you from your duties as a licensee. You must still discover and disclose material facts, ensure accurate advertising, and review the RPOADS with the seller for accuracy. 

3. FSBO (Broker Edition): 

• Selling Your Own Property: You can select “No Representation” in the RPOADS, however, if you have actual knowledge or should know of a material fact, as a licensed brokeor you still have a duty to disclose. NCGS § 93A-6(b)(3) authorizes the Commission to discipline a broker for violations of license law and Commission rules when transactions involve your personally owned property. 

• Limited-Service Listings & Your Own Property: You are a broker and you list your property with a limited services broker. Fine. However, your limited-service agreement doesn’t shield you from your duties as a broker to discover and disclose. As a licensed owner, you should inform your limited-service listing agent and must disclose to potential buyers any material facts about which you know or should reasonably know. 

• Buying to repair/renovate and sell (Flipping): Disclose everything, including occupancy certificates, permits, and unlicensed contractor use. Make sure you are following laws and local rules involving permitting. Check behind your contractors, ensuring permits are filed and obtained. Make sure you have a certificate of compliance and/or certificate of occupancy. Keep your records of repair and remodeling. 

• Unrepresented Buyers: Make it clear to the buyer if you are working with them in some way but do not represent them. Be careful of what advice, if any, you give to unrepresented buyers about your own listing. 

4. Inspection Reports: 

• Disclosure: You do not have to provide copies of inspection reports, but you MUST disclose material facts within them. 

• Review: Thoroughly review reports with your client and provide advice based on the findings. Confirm whether information from the report differs from advertising. For example, does the report mention a septic system but it’s listed as being on city sewer? Seek help understanding reports if needed from more experienced brokers or relevant licensed professionals. 

5. Fraudulent Listings: Be vigilant for red flags with no-meet sellers. DO NOT skip verification. 

• Cases of scam sellers are on the rise. 

• Email addresses with matching names are insufficient. 

• Questionable driver’s license photocopies are red flags. 

• Attorney verification after contract formation is too late. Your duty to verify starts before signing an agency agreement. 

• What can you do? 

1. Have a video conference or in-person meeting (accept no excuses). 

2. Ask for a government issued ID and review it to make sure it isn’t questionable. 

3. Pull the deed(s) and match the names.  

4. Ask neighbors about the property/owner. 

5. Do social media research. 

6. Have the “seller” provide a notarized statement identifying themselves as owner. 

7. Take notice and address the red flags! 

• Review these Bulletins from 2022 and 2023, for red flags and more information. 

If you take reasonable steps, you are unlikely to be disciplined if a complaint is filed. Don’t assume this won’t happen to you. This scam is increasingly popular, and many North Carolina brokers have already encountered it.  

6. Buying Own Listing: If you are the owner’s listing agent and you want to buy their property yourself, you have a conflict of interest. Disclose the conflict of interest in writing to the seller and advise them to seek independent counsel. Terminate the listing or transfer it before you or your firm makes an offer. Inform the seller of their right to terminate. 

7. Working with Real Estate Agents Disclosure: Simply emailing the form is insufficient. Review it with your client or customer, and document that review in the email. Having a conversation about the Disclosure is necessary. The Disclosure is not just another form to get signed when the client signs the agency agreement or contract.  Practice using the Disclosure so you are comfortable presenting it. 

In conclusion: The solutions to avoiding these common complaints are straightforward and require reasonable effort. When in doubt, ask your broker-in-charge, ask a more experienced broker, ask a relevant licensed professional, or contact the Commission for guidance (although they cannot give legal advice, Commission staff can give guidance on rules and possibly other resources). Protect your clients and your license – think before you act.

North Carolina Department of Labor: Human Trafficking Courses

In 2023, North Carolina ranked 10^th in the country for the number of cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.  In an ongoing effort to combat human trafficking across the state, House Bill 973 was passed in 2024, and requires property managers of vacation rentals, their employees, and third-party contractors who perform housekeeping services, food or beverage services on-site, or perform check-in and check-out duties to take human trafficking awareness training.   

The North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) has identified training courses that satisfy the requirement here. For vacation rentals offered for lease prior to July 1, 2025, the training must be completed by June 30, 2027, and be repeated every two years.  For vacation rentals offered for lease after July 1, 2025, the training must be completed within 60 days of providing services and repeated every two years.  For those who fail to meet the mandatory training requirement, the NCDOL may assess a fine up to $2,000 for each violation.  For more information on House Bill 973, see the Commission’s September 2024 eBulletin article on this topic. 

North Carolina Brokers Licensed in Other States Need North Carolina Continuing Education

A current trend among brokers is to obtain licensure in more than one state. Practicing brokerage in multiple jurisdictions imposes additional obligations on a licensee to be fully competent and knowledgeable about the statutes, rules, law and practices in each of those various locations. 

For those reasons North Carolina requires all North Carolina brokers pursuant to Rule 58A .1702 to complete eight credit hours of real estate continuing education each license year. The eight hours consist of: 

• four credit hours of elective courses; and 

• four credit hours of either the General Update Course or the Broker-in-Charge Update Course 

Some states, such as South Carolina, have made arrangements to recognize continuing education from other states as sufficient in certain circumstances. Recognition and acceptance of education across state lines is an individual state determination and in some states a course specific determination.  NCREC urges all brokers who may be licensed in other jurisdictions to check with the regulatory agencies in those states and comply with their rules and requirements for education. 

As to North Carolina CE requirements, all brokers without BIC-Eligible status and provisional brokers must attend the four-hour General Update Course (GENUP) and all Brokers-in Charge and BIC Eligible Brokers must attend the Broker-in-Charge Update Course (BICUP). In addition, brokers must take an additional four-hour approved elective course.  

All brokers are required to complete eight credit hours of continuing education by June 10^th at 11:59 PM EST to remain eligible for active license status. This requirement begins upon the second renewal following initial licensure and upon each subsequent annual renewal. 

NOTE: Out of state brokers MUST take the appropriate NC Update Course and a North Carolina elective course to renew their North Carolina real estate license on active status, regardless of the CE requirements in your jurisdiction. These CE courses are available online as well as in person. 

Being willing to take additional education and meet varying requirements by different states is part of the obligation and duties a broker accepts when they choose to be licensed in multiple jurisdictions.  

Current Stats: Monthly Licensee Count as of May 1, 2025.