Considering a career change? Have you considered obtaining a real estate license?
Written By:
Bill Gallagher, Owner/President
Superior School of Real Estate
bgallagher@ssore.com
Many individuals consider careers changes throughout their life. The thoughts of entering the field of real estate excite many people. Success in real estate depends on many factors; however, the initial step is to obtain a real estate license. The most popular question I receive from “Ask the Expert” on www.charlotte.com and from telephone calls, is “how to get a real estate license?”
The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (www.ncrec.state.nc.us) requires pre-licensing education of 75 classroom hours and post-licensing of 90 classroom hours within three years after initial licensure. Let me explain the details.
Pre-licensing Education: 75 Classroom Hour Broker Pre-licensing Course:
You will need to select an approved real estate school or community college (listed on www.ncrec.state.nc.us) to attend the 75 Hour Broker Pre-licensing Course, and successfully pass the school exam. Upon completing the course and obtaining a school certificate of completion, the applicant then completes the NC Real Estate Commission application, includes a copy of the applicant’s criminal report from Carolina Investigative Research, and sends with this information a certified check for the application fee. After the North Carolina Real Estate Commission processes the application, the applicant is sent a notice in the mail for them to schedule an appointment with PSI Testing Center for them to take their state exam on computer.
After the applicant takes their examination on computer, the applicant is immediately notified if they pass their exam. If the applicant fails, then the applicant is allowed to review their missed test questions and retake the exam again at another time. After the applicant passes, the NC Real Estate Commission reviews the applicant’s criminal report before issuing a real estate license. If issues are listed on the applicant’s criminal report, then the applicant is asked to explain and respond to the issues listed that are “criminal”. Infractions, prayer for judgment, and dismissals are not required to be explained. A satisfactory criminal report is part of the application process. When you are approved for licensure, the applicant receives a “Broker’s License” on “Provisional Status” and the person is called a “Provisional Broker”. North Carolina became a broker only state on April 1, 2006.
Post-licensing Education: 90 Classroom Hours within Three Years after Initial Licensure
A new provisional broker is required to complete 90 hours of post-licensing education (divided into three 30-hour courses) emphasizing practical knowledge and skills within three years of obtaining his or her provisional broker license to remove the “provisional” status and retain eligibility to be on active status. At a minimum, one course must be taken annually by licensure anniversary date. Each of the 30-hour courses includes a school written examination which the licensee must successfully pass.
These courses are listed below with the corresponding course numbers:
- Post-licensing Courses (30 Classroom Hours Each)
- #301 Broker Relationships and Responsibilities
- #302 Contracts and Closing
- #303 Selected Topics *
These 3 courses may be taken in any order:
* Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI): A provisional broker who completes the GRI education program conducted by the North Carolina Real Estate Educational Foundation (NCREEF) and is awarded the GRI designation will receive credit for the “#303 Selected Topics” post-licensing course. NCREEF will report GRI program completion to the NC Real Estate Commission. A GRI designee does NOT have to request equivalent credit. You can contact Maggie Jamison at NC Association of REALTORS at 1-800-443-9956 or view www.ncrealtors.org for more information on the GRI program.
I would like to personally thank the NC Real Estate Commission members, who regulate business activities of licensees and oversee the entire licensing process, for their faithful service to protect the public:
- Matthew J. Watts, Chairman, Fayetteville
- Melvin L. Alston, Vice Chairman, Greensboro
- Raymond A. Bass Jr., Vice Chairman, Fayetteville
- Allan R. Dameron, Holden Beach
- Sang J. Hamilton Sr., Winton
- Marsha H. Jordan, Lincolnton
- William C. Lackey Jr., Charlotte
- Jerry A. Mannen Jr., Wilmington
- Wanda J. Proffitt, Burnsville
- Phillip T. Fisher, Executive Director
In addition, we are very fortunate to have dedicated Division Directors at the North Carolina Real Estate Commission and diligent staffs to assist licensees and the general public of North Carolina:
- Larry A. Outlaw, Education & Licensing
- Mary Frances Whitley, Administration
- Emmet R. Wood, Audit & Investigations
- Thomas R. Miller, Special Deputy Atty. General Legal Counsel
- Miriam J. Baer, Asst. Dir. Legal Services Legal Counsel
A real estate career is exciting and challenging! After entering the real estate business directly from college, I have enjoyed every aspect of my real estate career from listing and selling properties, to managing and recruiting associates, and to teaching and training individuals across North Carolina. If you have questions about licensing process, please contact me at bgallagher@ssore.com or call 704-944-4260.
