Congratulations on receiving your hard-earned real estate license. What a great feeling after all that work! Once you have celebrated your accomplishment, you might wonder what the next step is. So glad you asked…there are three possible paths:
1. If you wish to begin working as a real estate broker as soon as possible: First, you must locate a supervising Broker-in-Charge (BIC) so you can activate your license. Consider interviewing with several brokerage companies to identify a work culture that appeals to you. The BIC of the company you select must agree to actively supervise your brokerage activities. Once a completed REC Form 2.08 License Activation and Broker Affiliation has been electronically submitted, you may begin your real estate practice under your BIC’s supervision.
2. If you wish to remain on inactive status and begin working as a broker later: Once you have your real estate license number, you can begin and even complete your 90 hours of Postlicensing education without activating your license. All provisional brokers (not just those on active status) are required to complete this educational series within 18 months of initial licensure. This will remove the provisional status of your license so that when you are ready to activate your license, it will be as a “full” broker.
3. If you wish to remain on inactive status indefinitely: As long as you renew your real estate license every year between May 15 and June 30, you are not required to complete any education or affiliate with any BIC. Be aware that this course of action can result in extensive educational requirements when you do decide to activate your license, depending on how long you wait to activate.
4. Recommendation: Regardless of which of the above paths you choose, you are strongly encouraged to complete the mandatory 8 hours of Continuing Education each year after your first license renewal. It will make activation much easier.
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.
Are you interested in affiliating a provisional broker? Have you completed the License Activation and Affiliation (Form 2.08) for the provisional broker?
Pursuant to Rule 58A .0506(b), a BIC is responsible for the submission of the License Activation and Affiliation Form 2.08 for provisional brokers under their supervision. The rule provides that if the provisional broker and broker-in-charge do not receive written acknowledgment from the Commission within 30 days of the date shown on the form, the provisional broker must cease brokerage activities pending receipt of the written acknowledgment from the Commission.
If you have additional questions, visit the Commission’s website.
While Commission rules allow brokers to complete their Update course anytime between July 1 and June 10, it is highly recommended to take it as early as possible. This will ensure you are up to date on the latest law and rule changes. If you wait until the spring, you may find the material covers changes that have already been in effect since the previous July, leaving you without the necessary information to conduct your business appropriately.
How do you find an Update Course near you?
A statewide CE Course Schedule is available on the Commission’s website. To search for courses, visit the Commission’s homepage (www.ncrec.gov), click on the Education menu, and select Search CE Course Schedule. You can search by course title, city, county, sponsor or instructor name, or date range.
Stay informed and compliant by taking your Update course early during the license year.