North Carolina real estate licenses must be renewed each year by June 30th. If you’re unsure about the exact steps—or just want a quick checklist—you’re in the right place! Let’s walk through the simple, step-by-step process to stay active and compliant with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC).
Step 1: Complete 8 Hours of Continuing Education (CE)
Each year, North Carolina licensees must complete:
- A 4-hour Update course (either the General Update or BIC Update)
- A 4-hour elective course approved by the NCREC
Important reminder:
- The Update course must be taken live in-person or through a live webinar like those offered by Empire Learning’s partner, Exceed CE.
- The elective course can be completed online at your own pace.
You must complete all 8 hours by June 10 each year. If you miss this deadline, you can’t take any more CE until after July 1, and your license may become inactive.
Step 2: Pay Your License Renewal Fee to the NCREC
Even if you finish your CE early, you still must renew your license online with the NCREC between May 15 and June 30.
- Visit the NCREC renewal portal
- Pay the current renewal fee (typically around $45)
- Confirm your renewal submission immediately after payment
Pro tip: You can renew your license before finishing your CE, but you must still complete the CE by June 10 to stay active.
Step 3: Confirm Your License Status
After you complete both steps—CE and renewal payment—double-check your license status.
- Log into the NCREC Licensee Login system
- Verify that your CE credits have been reported correctly
- Confirm your active license status for the upcoming license cycle
Stay Ahead of the Deadline
Waiting until the last minute can lead to technical issues, scheduling problems, and unnecessary stress. Mark your calendar early, book your live Update course by spring, and finish your elective on your own time.