If you want to participate in a real estate transaction as a professional, you will more than likely need a real estate license. Most states, including North Carolina, require real estate professionals to apply for licensure, demonstrate aptitude by passing a real estate exam, and show that they are of good character to earn a real estate license.
However, a real estate license is by no means permanent. Real estate departments in every state require that licensees continuously renew their licenses, and impose additional requirements—namely, real estate continuing education courses—in order for professionals to stay licensed. Those who do not complete these courses, or otherwise fail to complete the renewal process, risk having their real estate license declared inactive or forfeited altogether.
Key Takeaways
- To participate in real estate transactions professionally, a real estate license is typically required, including passing an exam and demonstrating good character.
- Real estate licenses need continuous renewal and completion of continuing education courses; failure to do so can result in inactive or forfeited licenses.
- The 2008 market downturn led many brokers to leave the industry, and some now find their licenses expired as they try to return.
- In North Carolina, reinstating an expired real estate license depends on how long it’s been expired, with different requirements for less than six months, six months to two years, and more than two years.
- Detailed reinstatement steps and requirements are available on the North Carolina Real Estate Commission website.
Many real estate brokers and managing brokers grew leery of the industry after the market turned sour after 2008. Now that the real estate market has continued to rebound, some of these professionals are looking to get back into the swing of things, only to find out that their real estate licenses are no longer valid. So how does one get his or her real estate license back, if this is the case?
Steps to getting your expired North Carolina real estate license back
Each state has unique real estate license requirements for maintaining a real estate license. While the specific requirements vary, they are all imposed for the same reasons. State real estate commissions have a duty to ensure that industry professionals are maintaining the knowledge of real estate they demonstrated when originally applying for licensure, as well as continuously learning more about industry practices to serve their customers ethically and responsibly. Imposing license maintenance requirements is the best way for state commissions to live up to their responsibilities.
All North Carolina real estate licenses expire on June 30 every year. What you have to do to reinstate your license largely depends on how long it has been expired.
- If it has lapsed for six months or less, you won’t need to take the exam. You will need to pay the $90 reinstatement fee, be current on your continuing education requirements, be affiliated with a broker-in-charge, and submit the appropriate form to the licensing board.
- If it has been more than six months and up to two years, you will need to successfully complete one post-licensing course within six months of submitting the reinstatement application. As an alternative, you can pass the national and state sections of the license exam. You will also have to submit a criminal background check, be affiliated with a broker-in-charge, and submit the appropriate paperwork to the licensing board.
- If it has been more than two years, you will need to successfully complete the 75-hour North Carolina broker pre-license course and pass the national and state sections of the license exam. Along with your reinstatement application, you will have to provide a criminal background check and be affiliated with a broker-in-charge.
For more detailed information and to start the process, you can visit the North Carolina Real Estate Commission website.
Get your real estate career back on track
Attend one of our career nights, read the Superior Plan, and take our 75-hour pre-licensing course (North Carolina Real Estate Commission approved) to re-start your real estate career.
