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Reminder: Satisfy Your NC Broker Continuing Education Requirement Before the June 10 Deadline

This article was republished from the May 2025 eBulletin.

As we approach the end of the 2024–2025 license year, it’s a great time to make sure you’ve satisfied your North Carolina broker continuing education (CE) requirements. Every year, thousands of brokers wait until the last minute—don’t be one of them! 

What Are the CE Requirements? 

In accordance with Rule 58A .1702, all North Carolina brokers must complete eight (8) hours of CE each license year to maintain an active license. These hours are broken down into: 

The deadline to complete CE for this license year is June 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. 

How to Check Your CE Status 

If you’re unsure whether you’ve completed your CE for the year: 

  1. Visit the Commission’s website: www.ncrec.gov 
  1. Click on Licensing, then select Licensee Login 
  1. After logging in, select “CE License Information” 

There, you’ll see your current CE status. If the “Update Hours” or “Elective Hours” show a zero, you still need to complete that part of your requirement before the deadline. 

How to Find and Register for CE Courses 

To search for in-person or synchronous (live online) CE courses: 

  1. Go to www.ncrec.gov 
  1. Click on Education in the top menu 
  1. Select Search CE Course Schedules 

You can filter results by course (number), provider, instructor, or location. 

Update courses must be taken “live,” either in person or via synchronous instruction. Elective courses, however, are offered in multiple formats including self-paced online (asynchronous distance education). 

To find self-paced elective providers: 

  1. Visit www.ncrec.gov 
  1. Click Education 
  1. Select List of Distance CE Providers 

After Completing Your CE Courses 

After you complete a CE course, the education provider is required to issue you a course completion certificate and report your completion to the Commission within seven (7) days. 

It’s your responsibility to: 

If your course hasn’t appeared within 10 days, contact the education provider promptly to ensure it’s submitted. 

Don’t Forget to Renew Your License 

You can renew your license online between May 15 and June 30, 2025. While CE does not need to be completed before you renew, it must be completed before June 10 to avoid your license status changing to inactive. 

Case Study: Trust Money

FACTS:  A broker collected $2,000 in rent for a property they managed for a landlord-client.  Instead of depositing the rent in a trust account, the broker deposited the check into their personal account and then wrote a check to the landlord-client from the personal account.   

ISSUE:  Did the broker fulfill their duties under License Law and Commission rules? 

ANALYSIS:  No, the broker did not fulfill their duties.  N.C.G.S. § 93A-6(a)(12) states that the Commission has power to suspend or revoke at any time a license issued under the provisions of this Chapter, or to reprimand or censure any licensee, if, following a hearing, the Commission adjudges the licensee to be guilty of: 

(12) Commingling the money or other property of his or her principals with his or her own or failure to maintain and deposit in a trust or escrow account in a bank as provided by subsection (g) of this section all money received by him or her as a real estate licensee acting in that capacity, or an escrow agent, or the custodian or manager of the funds of another person or entity which relate to or concern that person’s or entity’s interest or investment in real property, provided, these accounts shall not bear interest unless the principals authorize in writing the deposit be made in an interest bearing account and also provide for the disbursement of the interest accrued.  

Commingling is defined as the illegal practice by a real estate broker of maintaining personal or business funds in the same account with trust funds held for others. The $2,000 rent check received by the broker was deposited in the broker’s personal account.  Therefore, the broker commingled their personal funds with money belonging to another person (in this case, the landlord-client) in violation of N.C.G.S. § 93A-6(a)(12). 

The broker has also violated Commission Rule 58A. 0116 which states: 

All monies received by a broker acting in his or her fiduciary capacity (hereinafter “trust money”) shall be deposited in a trust or escrow account as defined in Rule .0117(b) of this Section no later than three banking days following the broker’s receipt of such monies. 

The broker deposited the rent check in their personal account and not a trust or escrow account as required by the Rule. 

To avoid these violations, brokers must deposit all monies received from others into a trust or escrow account.  In a sales transaction, trust monies include earnest money deposits, money for maintenance, repairs, or inspections, buyer funds for closing, seller proceeds from closing, and a security deposit or rent for early/late possession of the property. 

In a rental transaction, trust monies include tenant security deposits, rent, and application fees, as well as funds held by the broker to pay for repairs to the owner’s property.  In addition, for vacation rentals, trust monies include administration fees, travel insurance, and sales tax.  

Once trust monies are deposited into a trust or escrow account, an ACH transfer can be initiated from the account to the appropriate party. 

Brokers-in-charge should ensure that all affiliated brokers are familiar with Commission Rule 58A. 0116, including the 3-day requirements for deposits. 

RESOURCES:

N.C.G.S. § 93A-6(a)(12)

Commission Rule:  58A .0116

Articles: “Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes to Make Trust Account Management Trouble Free”

Question Corner

Question: I would like to terminate my affiliation with the BIC of my brokerage. Which form do I need to submit to the Commission?

Answer: If a broker wishes to terminate their affiliation with a firm or sole proprietorship, they must submit the Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship, Form 2.22. The Commission will process the form within 3-5 business days and brokers will be emailed a Notice of License Record Change acknowledging the requested change. If brokers do not receive a Notice within 30 days, they will need to contact the Commission and inquire about the status of their form submission.  

Question: What happens if a BIC submits a Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship, Form 2.22?

Answer: Before a BIC submits a Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship, Form 2.22, they should consider that the submission will affect all licensees currently under their supervision at the office. Provisional brokers will be placed on inactive status and “full” brokers will remain on active status at their home addresses but will no longer be affiliated with the firm or sole proprietorship.  

To prevent this, the new BIC should submit a new properly completed Request for BIC Eligible Status and/or Broker-in-Charge Designation (REC 2.25) PRIOR to the outgoing BIC submitting the Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship, Form 2.22.  

Brokers are confusing two forms: the Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship (Form 2.22) and the Request to Remove Licensee From Broker Supervision (Form 2.13). Form 2.22 is used by an individual broker to terminate their own affiliation with a firm or sole proprietorship and Form 2.13 is used by a BIC to remove a full or provisional broker from being affiliated with that BIC.  

NOTE: It is imperative for brokers to understand that prior to submitting a form, they are certifying the accuracy of the information. Therefore, the Commission may use the submission of inaccurate information as evidence against a broker in a disciplinary action.

Quick Tips

If you do not see a CE course completion on your own CE record when you log in as yourself within 7 business days of course completion, call your school and tell them to report it to the NCREC immediately.

T. Royals, Senior License Specialist

Did you know that the Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina (RELINC) booklet is required reading for new Broker applicants? Find it under Licensing/Applicants”

A. Allison, License Specialist

When creating an account within the NCREC Training Portal, please remember to remove NA before entering your license number. Don’t forget to enter your license number.

A. Conyers, Logistics and Program Manager

Please remember to renew both your Broker’s License and Firm’s License if you have one and there are separate Links.

S. Debnam, License Specialist

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.  

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.  

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. 
  1. 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. 
  1. FSBO (Broker Edition): 
  1. Inspection Reports: 
  1. Fraudulent Listings: Be vigilant for red flags with no-meet sellers. DO NOT skip verification. 
  1. Have a video conference or in-person meeting (accept no excuses). 
  1. Ask for a government issued ID and review it to make sure it isn’t questionable. 
  1. Pull the deed(s) and match the names.  
  1. Ask neighbors about the property/owner. 
  1. Do social media research. 
  1. Have the “seller” provide a notarized statement identifying themselves as owner. 
  1. Take notice and address the red flags! 

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.  

  1. 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. 
  1. 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 10th 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.