On March 18, 2020, the Commission voted to approve two emergency rules addressing education issues during the public health emergency. The rules are posted on the Commission’s website https://www.ncrec.gov/Pdfs/Rules/EmergencyRulemaking.pdf
Rule G .0104 provides relief to licensees with respect to the Commission’s education requirements. It requires schools and sponsors to cancel or suspend live, in-person classes beginning March 26 (the effective date of the rule) and allows for certain online alternatives as well as extensions of time.
Q: May schools and sponsors offer in-person courses in April?
A: No. All in-person classes must be cancelled or suspended through April 30, 2020.
Q: Can I take the Update (General Update or BICUP) course online? What about my Postlicensing course(s)?
A: YES! Under the emergency rule, Update and Postlicensing courses can be offered via synchronous distance learning from March 26-April 30. Synchronous learning means that the students and instructor are in separate places, but that everyone is participating in the course online at the same time.
Q: How can I find an Update or Postlicensing course being offered via synchronous distance learning?
A: Update courses: Go to the Commission’s website (ncrec.gov), click on Education, and click on Search CE Course Schedule. In the search screen, type ONLINE in the city name field, then click on Search.
Postlicensing courses: Go to the Commission’s website (ncrec.gov), click on Education, and click on Postlicensing Course Schedule. Courses are grouped by city name. Scroll down to city name “ONLINE.”
Q: What if I start a Postlicensing course after the rule goes into effect, but for whatever reason, I cannot finish?
A: While the rule is in effect, the school must allow you to make up missed course hours by attending another offering of that course, and the content has to be the same as the part you missed.
Q: I am a broker and need more time to take the 12-hour BIC Course. What should I do?
A: Email a request for an extension of time to bicext@ncrec.gov . You will not have to submit supporting documentation while the rule is in effect. You will be granted an automatic 90-day extension.
Q: What if I can’t find an Update or Postlicensing course by my deadline. What should I do?
A: CE Update and Elective courses: The Commission will grant an automatic 90-day extension to brokers who have not completed CE by June 10. No request form is needed.
Postlicensing courses: The Commission will grant an automatic extension through September 30, 2020, to brokers who have not completed Postlicensing. No request form is needed.
Please send an email to our office for further information (ls@ncrec.gov). Because of the current health crisis, we have more questions and fewer staff than usual. We appreciate your patience as we work to address your questions and concerns.