Licensing facts · 2026
How much does a North Carolina real estate license cost?
Entry license is Provisional Broker; $105 application fee (RELINC) covers licensure, no separate license fee. Exam $63 (single-section retake $53). Background check via CriminalRecordCheck.com, varies; NCREC says < $30 if NC-only residence 7 yrs. Pass rate = NCREC Education Provider report: 2,085 of 2,815 (74.07%) first-attempt takers who tested within 30 days of completing prelicensing (narrow definition, not all candidates). No separate broker exam in NC: provisional status removed by 90-hr postlicensing within 18 months; 'broker' fields reflect Broker-in-Charge eligibility (2 yrs full-time or 4 yrs part-time within prior 5 yrs + 12-hr BIC course). NCREC FAQ cites passing at 71/100 national and 29/40 state vs. exam-facts 80/60 split; some schools now advertise 80-hr course - verify. License typically mailed within ~7 days of passing.
- License fee
- Not available
- Exam fee
- $63.00
- Fingerprint fee
- $30.00
- Estimated total low
- $473.00
- Estimated total high
- $1,200.00
First-time pass rate: 74.07% · License year July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
Sources
- https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/093400.pdf
- https://www.ncrec.gov/Licensing/Licensingfaq
- https://www.ncrec.gov/PrelicensingEducation/ExamPassRates
- https://ncrec.gov/BICEligibleReqAndDesignation
- https://ftp.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_105/GS_105-228.30.pdf
- https://realestateu.com/real-estate/guides/north-carolina-real-estate-pre-licensing-course
- https://www.ncrec.gov/PrelicensingEducation/ExamPassRates
Last verified: 2026-10-23