My license is expired! How do I reinstate it?

To maintain a current license, brokers must renew their license annually between May 15 and June 30. The license of a broker who fails to renew during that period will expire on June 30, and that broker must cease all brokerage activities immediately.   

What steps must a broker take to reinstate an expired license? That answer depends on how long the license has been expired.

To reinstate a license expired for less than 6 months:

1. Go to the Commission’s homepage (www.ncrec.gov);
2. Click on Reinstate your License;
3. Enter your license number and PIN (last 4 of your SSN unless you have changed it);
4. Answer required questions; and
5. Pay the $90 reinstatement fee.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, brokers must submit a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08).

To reinstate a license expired for 6 months but no more than 2 years:

1. Successfully complete one 30-hour Postlicensing course (course must be completed within 6 months prior to submitting reinstatement application); and
2. Submit a reinstatement application with the $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report;

-OR-

1. Submit a reinstatement application with the $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
2. Pass the National and State sections of the license exam.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, brokers must submit a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08).

To reinstate a license expired for more than 2 years:

1. Successfully complete the 75-hour NC Broker Prelicensing course;
2. Submit a license application with the $100 original application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
3. Pass the National and State sections of the license exam.

NOTE: You will be licensed as a provisional broker and be subject to the 90-hour Postlicensing education program. To gain active status, you must submit a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08).

For more information, review Commission Rule 58A .0505 or visit the “Reinstate your License” page on the Commission’s website. You may also contact the Commission’s Education & Licensing Division at ls@ncrec.gov or 919-875-3700.

Reminder: License Renewal Frequently Asked Questions Page

Do you have questions about the license renewal process? If so, the Commission has published a new License Renewal FAQ page on its website! This page is designed to provide you with clear guidance on how to renew your license and answer some of your most frequently asked questions.  

Whether you are an affiliated broker, broker-in-charge, or qualifying broker managing a firm, these FAQs are here to ensure your license remains current and not expired. 

Key Information You’ll Find: 

1. When to Renew: Mark your calendars! The renewal period starts at midnight on May 15 and ends at 11:59pm on June 30 annually. 

2. How to Renew: Simply visit our homepage at www.ncrec.gov and follow the prompts: 

• Licensee Login: For individual broker license renewal. 

• Firm Login: For firm license renewal. 

• LNCL Login: For LNCL license renewal. 

3. Continuing Education: You can renew your license even if your CE courses haven’t been completed by June 10. Remember, your license must be renewed by June 30 to avoid having an expired license on July 1. 

4. Renewal Fee: The renewal fee is $45.00 and can be paid securely online via Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or PayPal. 

5. Confirmation: Receive a printable confirmation upon completion of your renewal process. 

6. Payment Methods: Online renewal is mandatory. We do not accept checks, cash, or credit card payments over the phone or in person at our office. 

7. Digital Pocket Card: Download your new digital pocket card immediately after renewal. You may also print it for your convenience. 

8. Expiration Consequences: If you miss the June 30 deadline, your license will be expired on July 1.  In order to reinstate your license, you must visit our “Reinstate your License” page for reinstatement procedures. 

9. BIC Eligible Status: Failure to renew your license on time will terminate your BIC Eligible status. Brokers must ensure they renew prior to June 30^th to maintain their BIC Eligible status.  

10. Need Help? Contact our License Specialists at ls@ncrec.gov for any renewal inquiries. We’re here to assist you! 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/6hFeaDjsRio

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. 

Reminder: How to Renew Your License

Have you renewed your license? If not, do you know how to renew your license? Link: https://youtu.be/Wgj_37zD93Q

Question Corner: NCREC’s Most Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Can I renew my license before May 15?

Answer: No. By law, the annual renewal period for your real estate license begins at midnight on May 15 and ends at 11:59 PM on June 30. Therefore, brokers cannot renew their licenses any earlier. If a broker fails to renew their license during May 15th-June 30^th, their license will expire.

Brokers must pay a $90 fee between July 1 and December 31 to reinstate an expired license. If you are a broker and fail to reinstate by December 31, after that, you will need to submit a new application, along with the application fee and a criminal background report. Additionally, you may be required to complete extra education or pass the state licensing exam. For more details, visit the Commission’s license reinstatement page.

Question: Do I have to renew my firm license?

Answer: 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.

Reminder: December is HERE! Have you reinstated your license?

Brokers with an expired license are required to cease all brokerage activities from the date of license expiration, i.e., July 1. But the good news for those who didn’t mean to allow their license to expire is that they have until December 31^st to reinstate their license without additional education requirements. The bad news? December 31 is coming up fast. If the license isn’t reinstated by then, it will be too late to reinstate without additional steps.

What steps must a broker take to reinstate an expired license?  That answer depends on how long the license has been expired.

To reinstate a license expired for less than 6 months:

1. Go to the Commission’s homepage (www.ncrec.gov);
2. Click on Reinstate your License;
3. Enter your license number and PIN (last 4 of your SSN unless you have changed it); 
4. Answer required questions; and
5. Pay $90 reinstatement fee.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08) also must be submitted.

To reinstate a license expired for 6 months but no more than 2 years

1. Successfully complete one 30-hour Postlicensing course (course must be completed within 6 months prior to submitting reinstatement application); and
2. Submit a reinstatement application with the $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report;

-OR-

1. Submit a reinstatement application with the $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
2. Pass the National and State sections of license exam.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08) also must be submitted.

To reinstate a license expired for more than 2 years:

1. complete the 75-hour NC Broker Prelicensing course;
2. Submit a license application with the $100 original application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
3. Pass the National and State sections of license exam.

NOTE: When a license has been expired for more than two years and is reinstated, brokers are licensed as a provisional broker and are subject to the 90-hour Postlicensing education program. To gain active status, a License Activation/Affiliation form (REC 2.08) also must be submitted.`

For more information, review Commission Rule 58A .0505 or visit the “Reinstate your License” page on the Commission’s website. You may also contact the Commission’s Education & Licensing Division at ls@ncrec.gov or 919-875-3700.

Reminders: Provisional Brokers

Provisional brokers will remain on inactive status until they affiliate with a designated broker-in-charge.

1. While on inactive status, brokers are not permitted to perform any brokerage activities, including making referrals. Commission Rule 58A .0504(a)

2. Postlicensing education must be completed within 18 months of the date of initial licensure. Commission Rule 58A .1902

For example, if the broker was first licensed on September 1, 2024, they must complete all Postlicensing courses by March 1, 2026. As soon as the courses are completed, so long as on or before the 18 months ends, the provisional status will be automatically removed.

Postlicensing education includes the following three 30-hour courses:

301 – Broker Relationships & Responsibilities;

302 – Contracts and Closing; and

303 – NC Law, Rules, and Legal Concepts.

3. Provisional brokers must complete continuing education each year by June 10 prior to the second renewal of their license. This requirement is separate from and in addition to Postlicensing education. Commission Rule 58A .1702.

4. All provisional brokers must renew their licenses between May 15 and June 30 of each year. Commission Rule 58A .0503

Whether the initial licensure date is September 1 or May 1, all brokers must renew their broker licenses on or before June 30 each year. There is a $45 fee to renew a broker license.

My license is expired! How do I reinstate it?

To maintain a current license, brokers must renew their license annually between May 15 and June 30. The license of a broker who fails to renew during that period will expire on June 30, and that broker must cease all brokerage activities immediately.   

What steps must a broker take to reinstate an expired license? That answer depends on how long the license has been expired.

To reinstate a license expired for less than 6 months:

1. Go to the Commission’s homepage (www.ncrec.gov);
2. Click on Reinstate your License;
3. Enter your license number and PIN (last 4 of your SSN unless you have changed it);
4. Answer required questions; and
5. Pay the $90 reinstatement fee.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, brokers must submit a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08).

To reinstate a license expired for 6 months but no more than 2 years:

1. Successfully complete one 30-hour Postlicensing course (course must be completed within 6 months prior to submitting reinstatement application); and
2. Submit a reinstatement application with the $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report;

-OR-

1. Submit a reinstatement application with the $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
2. Pass the National and State sections of the license exam.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, brokers must submit a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08).

To reinstate a license expired for more than 2 years:

1. Successfully complete the 75-hour NC Broker Prelicensing course;
2. Submit a license application with the $100 original application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
3. Pass the National and State sections of the license exam.

NOTE: You will be licensed as a provisional broker and be subject to the 90-hour Postlicensing education program. To gain active status, you must submit a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08).

For more information, review Commission Rule 58A .0505 or visit the “Reinstate your License” page on the Commission’s website. You may also contact the Commission’s Education & Licensing Division at ls@ncrec.gov or 919-875-3700.

December is HERE! Do you need to reinstate your license?

Brokers who failed to renew their license by June 30^th, had an expired license on July 1^st. As of July 1^st, brokers with an expired license were required to cease all brokerage activities. But the good news for those who didn’t mean to allow their license to expire is that they have until December 31^st to reinstate their license without additional education requirements. The bad news? December 31 is coming up fast, and if the license isn’t reinstated by then, it will too late to reinstate without additional steps.

What steps must a broker take to reinstate an expired license?  That answer depends on how long the license has been expired.

To reinstate a license expired for less than 6 months:

1. Go to the Commission’s homepage (www.ncrec.gov);
2. Click on Reinstate your License;
3. Enter your license number and PIN (last 4 of your SSN unless you have changed it); 
4. Answer required questions; and
5. Pay $90 reinstatement fee.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08) also must be submitted.

To reinstate a license expired for 6 months but no more than 2 years

1. Successfully complete one 30-hour Postlicensing course (course must be completed within 6 months prior to submitting reinstatement application); and
2. Submit a reinstatement application with $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report;

-OR-

1. Submit a reinstatement application with $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
2. Pass the National and State sections of license exam.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08) also must be submitted.

To reinstate a license expired for more than 2 years:

1. Successfully complete the 75-hour NC Broker Prelicensingcourse;
2. Submit a license application with the $100 original application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
3. Pass the National and State sections of license exam.

NOTE: When a license has been expired for more than two years and is reinstated, brokers are licensed as a provisional broker and are subject to the 90-hour Postlicensing education program. To gain active status, a License Activation/Affiliation form (REC 2.08) also must be submitted.

For more information, review Commission Rule 58A .0505 or visit the “Reinstate your License” page on the Commission’s website. You may also contact the Commission’s Education & Licensing Division at ls@ncrec.gov or 919-875-3700.

My license is expired! How do I reinstate it?

To maintain a current license, brokers must renew their license annually between May 15 and June 30. The license of a broker who fails to renew during that period will expire on June 30, and that broker must cease all brokerage activities immediately.   

What steps must a broker take to reinstate an expired license? That answer depends on how long the license has been expired.

To reinstate a license expired for less than 6 months:

1. Go to the Commission’s homepage (www.ncrec.gov);
2. Click on Reinstate your License;
3. Enter your license number and PIN (last 4 of your SSN unless you have changed it);
4. Answer required questions; and
5. Pay the $90 reinstatement fee.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08) also must be submitted.

To reinstate a license expired for 6 months but no more than 2 years:

1. Successfully complete one 30-hour Postlicensing course (course must be completed within 6 months prior to submitting reinstatement application); and
2. Submit a reinstatement application with the $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report;

-OR-

1. Submit a reinstatement application with the $90 application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
2. Pass the National and State sections of the license exam.

NOTE: Following expiration, a broker’s license is reinstated on inactive status. To regain active status, a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08) also must be submitted.

To reinstate a license expired for more than 2 years:

1. Successfully complete the 75-hour NC Broker Prelicensing course;
2. Submit a license application with the $100 original application fee and all required documentation, including criminal background report; and
3. Pass the National and State sections of the license exam.

NOTE: You will be licensed as a provisional broker and be subject to the 90-hour Postlicensing education program. To gain active status, a License Activation / Affiliation form (REC 2.08) also must be submitted.

For more information, review Commission Rule 58A .0505 or visit the “Reinstate your License” page on the Commission’s website. You may also contact the Commission’s Education & Licensing Division at ls@ncrec.gov or 919-875-3700.